LULA
Tricky had always been the opposite of Clint. Where my cousin remained cool on the outside, always sizing up situations and maneuvering people, Tricky acted like an emotional wrecking ball.
He never thought things through. When his actions created negative consequences, he figured an “aw-shucks” apology would fix everything.
Years ago, I learned to show zero patience toward Tricky. He would never grow up if everyone treated him like a big, funny dog, instead of a grown man capable of hurting people.
Tricky always suspected I encouraged Cher to dump him. He was right, not that I was the only one telling her the truth. They couldn’t work because Tricky wanted a specific version of Cher.
Right now, as he accused me of causing Cher’s suffering, I refused to back down. His words stung, and I felt weak under the weight of them. Yet, I refused to show even an ounce of guilt to Tricky.
Behind me, Exile cursed at the other biker.
I barely glanced at where Clint and Zodiac held him back.
My gaze remained focused on Tricky. He wasn’t thinking straight.
I smelled liquor on his breath. Though he wasn’t drunk, he had clearly been drinking.
All his unresolved feelings toward Cher had resurfaced when she got hurt. Now, he wanted someone to blame.
Rather than allow Exile to brawl with Tricky, I hit the panic button on my phone. My mom and dad, along with my siblings, uncle, aunt, and Sabrina’s girlfriends, ran outside to face whatever enemy dared to upset me.
Despite the guns held by most of them, Bebe’s phone turned out to be the most dangerous weapon.
“I’m calling your mom,” Bebe said and dialed Amanda, who lived on the other side of the lake. “She can come over here and explain why you’re threatening Lula.”
“I’ll just leave.”
“Amanda, Tricky is over at Lula’s place. I think they’re about to fight. Yeah, sure,” Bebe said and handed the phone to Tricky.
As the large biker took the phone, my mom inched me away from him. I wanted to check on Exile, but Tricky was in a weird mood. Every time I saw him, even before Cher was hurt, he seemed on edge, like he was searching for a reason to blow his top.
“I’m not doing anything,” Tricky muttered.
Despite his defiant tone, he clearly felt embarrassed to have his mom involved. Tricky returned the phone to Bebe and walked to his bike.
Focusing his anger on Clint, he warned, “If I see those two assholes around town, blood will be spilled.”
I sensed Zodiac wanted to reply with a snide comment, but he got distracted by Elle wandering over. Before anyone triggered Tricky again, he raced down the road toward his parents’ place.
“What’s he doing here?” Pax asked Exile about Zodiac. “Is your entire club moving here now?”
“No,” Clint replied before Exile could. “But I think it would be a good idea to get the Black Rainbow to Little Memphis for a celebratory party. Our clubs can get to know each other at the Fire Hooch.”
Zodiac exhaled deeply and nodded, clearly approving of Clint’s idea. Exile ignored them both and walked to me. I smiled at him, wondering what would happen next.
Behind Exile, Pax and Ford talked to Clint and Zodiac. I noticed my siblings entering my house to meet Nova. Bebe and Shay were gossiping and texting with the other club moms. Everyone settled into a jovial mood, except for Exile.
“I wanted to kick his ass.”
Cradling his jaw, I murmured, “I used this hand to slap him.”
“He’s an asshole.”
“Insecure men turn sour if they don’t figure out their shit.”
“Are you talking about him or me?” Exile grumbled.
“Are you insecure?”
“No, but I feel like you’re hinting at something.”
Wrapping my arms around Exile’s waist, I smiled up at him and shook my head. “You’re riled up from wanting to protect your woman.”
“You are mine, aren’t you?” he murmured, now stroking my back.
Exile’s edginess dropped away, leaving him unguarded for a moment. Despite the people around us, I felt alone with this man. He kissed my forehead before noticing my dad inching closer.
“You should have kicked Tricky’s ass,” Pax told Exile. “Were you worried he’d knock off your hat?”
Zodiac chuckled at the man’s comment before shrugging at Exile’s frown.
“I was barely holding you back,” Zodiac insisted and zeroed in on Elle, who now headed inside my house. “You could have broken free if you really wanted to.”
While Zodiac stalked my cousin, Pax wrapped an arm around Bebe and crowded Exile and me.
“You were acting like a pussy!” Pax announced, nearly yelling.
Lowering his voice, he added, “No, but it was good that you didn’t lay out Tricky.
He’s a big baby and already crying over Cher.
If you kicked his ass, he’d make himself the victim.
I don’t need Joker telling me to keep you on a leash.
This way, I get to tell Joker to get control of his boy. ”
Exile exhaled hard and muttered, “I’m glad my inability to escape two men holding me worked out for you.”
Pax smiled at me. “You found a weak man willing to submit to my authority. I couldn’t have dreamed of anything better.”
Grinning at his taunt, I rested my head against Exile’s strong chest. He wrapped his arms around me. For a moment, we were alone again.
Bebe returned me to reality by asking about Exile’s nieces. I guided my parents inside, where we found Nova surrounded in the kitchen. Sabrina, Moe, Ivy, Xandy, and Vanessa were eating the snacks put out for my guests.
“Are you being nice?” I asked Sabrina.
She narrowed her dark eyes and shrugged. “I’ve been nicer.”
“They’re very friendly,” Nova assured me.
Exile smiled at his sister’s happy face. Yesterday, he mentioned Nova didn’t have any friends in Baton Rouge. If she stuck around Little Memphis, I imagined she’d quickly find herself wrapped into our world, much like Ivy was months ago.