Dutch (BLP Motorcycle Clubs #4)

4. Dutch

We rolled up to the Sons of Shadows clubhouse, and I cut the engine on my Harley.

"We're here." Makari climbed off my bike and I swung my leg over. I gestured to the entrance. "Stay close."

I could tell by her facial expression that she was uneasy going inside. "Showtime," I declared, pushing the door open. It was business as usual. Loud voices, music thumping, and pool balls clacking.

However, when we stepped inside, a heavy silence hit as every head turned our way and the record scratched. All right, not literally, but damn if it didn't feel like it. I kept my face neutral and clocked every reaction. People were a trip with their not-so-subtle whispers.

"The hell…" Someone hissed.

Makari stiffened next to me. She tried to play it cool with her chin up, but her hands were curled into fists. I knew her well enough to know she was uncomfortable.

I fought the urge to put my hand on her back. I couldn't afford to show weakness, not now. I scanned the room, meeting people's glares head-on. A few looked away, but there were a few who held my stare.

Fuck. This was going to be more difficult than I thought. Bringing Makari was a risk, but seeing suspicion and doubt hit differently. These people were my family, and they were giving me the stank eye as if I'd lost my damn mind.

"Dutch, maybe this wasn't?—"

"Don't worry," I cut her off, keeping my tone light. Even if I wasn't feeling it, I had to project confidence.

I spotted Saint, who approached us.

"A word?" he demanded low.

I nodded. "What's up, brother?"

Saint eyed Makari. "Alone."

Makari responded before I could. "If you have a problem with me, you can say it to my face!"

I held my smirk. "Damn, Deebo, chill," I said, turning my attention to Saint. "Whatever you have to say, you can say it here."

His jaw clenched, but he nodded. "I still think you're putting the crew at risk. You know who she is."

Makari bristled next to me, but I kept my focus on Saint. "I know what I'm doing, and Makari is now under our protection."

"Since when have we protected outsiders, especially ones tied to Jahlil's crew?"

The tension went up another notch as Jahlil's name hung in the air like dirty fog.

"I'll explain club business later, not here, not now," I stated, my voice carrying enough edge to make Saint take notice.

Saint held my glare. I could tell he was torn between his duty to the club and loyalty to me.

"Your call, Prez, but I pray you know what you're doing."

Makari let out a breath as he walked away.

"Are you good?" I asked.

"Look, this is a bad idea. I can handle myself," Makari insisted.

I chuckled defiantly. "Trust me, this is no longer your battle. It's ours."

Makari slid off to the side and sat alone at a table. Her hands twitched as if she were itching for a cigarette or a paintbrush, something to keep them busy.

"Listen up. Our guest is under club protection. Any problems are to be brought to me. Are we clear?"

I locked eyes with a few of the more expressive members and heard an ensemble of. "Yeah, Prez," and "Yeah, boss," as I dared anyone to speak up.

"Good, now let's show Ms. Makari how the Sons of Shadows throw a welcome party!"

I got a few chuckles out of the crowd, and tensions eased. Makari was still on guard, but she relaxed a bit.

I headed her way. "I told you, nothing to worry about. They're going to love you."

I caught a quick smile, but Makari rolled her eyes. "They'll love me like a fox stalking a henhouse."

I laughed. "You're the most dangerous thing in this henhouse."

I sat down, and one of the servers brought us a couple of beers with bourbon chasers. "Thank you, darling, put it on my tab," I instructed.

"No problem. Will do," she replied and headed back to the bar.

I took a gulp and eyed Makari, sipping her beer. "What's up between you and Jahlil?"

Makari tensed, flashing me a look. "Nothing, it's ancient history."

I arched an eyebrow. "Ancient wouldn't have gotten your place trashed."

Her jaw clenched, and she looked around, weighing how much to tell me.

"Listen, you have secrets. Everyone does, but if Jahlil is coming after you, that puts my club at risk. I need to understand what we're dealing with."

She met my glare, defiant. "Your club is offering protection? Because you aren't exactly on the right side of the law last I checked."

I couldn't help but laugh. "In this world, there is only survival. There is no right side."

I was piecing things together as I watched her. There was something with this Jahlil. I could tell by the way she reacted to his name.

"I gotta know what I'm up against because it's clear whatever happened between you and Jahlil, he's not letting it go. Feel me?"

Makari's eyes flashed my way. "I've been handling my own for years, Dutch. You don't have to swoop in like a leather-clad superhero."

A smirk tugged at my mouth. "Superheroes don't always wear tights."

She scoffed. "Your ego is so big you'd have to add tights and a cape to the mix."

"So, what you're saying is you've dreamed about me saving the day in tights," I teased.

Makari shrugged. "Maybe, except you weren't so mouthy in my dreams."

I clutched my chest. "Damn, you wounded me. I thought you liked my mouth." I licked my lips.

I swear she drooled, and the air was thick between us. "If I can recall, your mouth has gotten us into trouble."

A memory of a stolen kiss flashed in my mind, reminding me of the promises to each other we couldn't keep. I pushed the thoughts away, focusing on the now. I redirected the conversation back to safer ground.

"Let's make a deal. Tell me the deal with Jahlil, and I'll keep you safe. No bullshit, no strings, just me watching your back like old times."

Trust had never come easy, but I could tell Makari was at war with herself. I leaned in, and my hand moved to brush a loc from her face, but reality hit me like a bucket of ice, and I jerked back, remembering the patch on my jacket.

Shit, what was I doing?

"Dutch?" Makari's voice questioned, but I looked away before I did something stupid.

"We can't. This isn't about us anymore," I muttered to myself more than to her.

Makari's face hardened, and her walls went back up. "Of course, I wouldn't want to compromise your leadership."

Her words stung, but she was right. I ran a hand down my face in order to get my head right. "You know I care, but it's not like that?—"

"I know the club comes first, always will, always has."

It was complicated, and I wanted to argue my truth, but the problem was she was right. That was the problem.

"With Jahlil gunning for you, I can't let you walk away. You're staying right here where I can keep an eye on you."

Makari's eyebrows shot up. "You don't have the right to decide?—"

"It's not up for debate." I cut in, my tone firm, leaving no room for further discussion. "End of story. It doesn't mean I'm excited about it, but it's how it's going to be."

She glared at me with the fire I always loved in her eyes, yet it felt like she was relieved. I think she knew she needed me even though she wouldn't admit it.

"Fine, but this doesn't change anything between us," she spat out.

I did my best to ignore the twist in my gut and nodded.

"I need another beer. Do you want anything?" I asked.

"No, I'm good."

I stood to walk away, and it hit me that I'd made a choice for better or worse, and now I had to keep it from blowing up in my face.