Chapter 16
ISLA
Last night, I read a dark MC book, hoping it might prepare me for the party.
It has started off like a family cookout with food and children running around and jumping in the pool.
Yes, the clubhouse has its own pool. And I’ve met everyone from the patched brothers and prospects to the old ladies.
I’m surprised when I see Lu there, the woman from the bakery.
She tells me that she is Haze’s old lady.
When I ask her if she needs a hand in the kitchen, she takes me up on my offer.
“These all look so damn good,” I declare, taking in the cupcakes, little chocolate mousse cups, and lemon and blueberry cheesecake.
“Thank you.” She beams, picking up a big tray filled with brownies. “If you could please grab the cupcakes, that would be amazing. You know, it looks like a lot of food, but I bet most of this is finished by the end of the night.”
A gorgeous petite woman with long dark hair and even darker eyes steps into the kitchen, holding an empty tray in her hands.
“Belle, this is Isla, Skull’s woman. Isla, Belle is War’s little sister,” Lu introduces.
“Lovely to meet you,” Belle says, putting the tray down and offering me a smile. “Skull, hey. You’re a lucky woman.”
“Don’t I know it.” I grin, and we all share a laugh. “How about you? Are you with anyone?”
“I’m married,” she replies, a flicker of pain in her eyes before she masks it. “But not to a member of the club.” She turns to Lu. “All the savory food is now out. Is there anything else you need me to do?”
“No, you go and enjoy the party, honey,” Lu replies, tucking an errant blonde curl back behind her ear. “I’ll get the prospects to carry out more drinks if we run out.”
“Okay.” Belle smiles and leaves the kitchen, while we follow close behind with the desserts, taking them outside and placing them on the long wooden table.
“And who is this beauty?” a man asks, coming up to stand next to me. He’s tall, like really tall. Dark, perfectly tousled hair, inked from the neck down. Lip ring. He also has two black hoops in each ear. And when he smiles at me, his dimples pop out.
Oh boy.
“I’m Isla,” I introduce, craning my neck to look at him. “Who are you?”
He smirks and holds out his hand to me. “Rune. Who are you here with, sweet thing?”
“How do you know I’m here with someone?” I tease, and he barks out a deep laugh, then lowers his head to mine.
“Because I’m not that lucky.”
A big hand settles on my stomach and pulls me back against a hard body. “No, you’re not. She’s ours.”
Ours.
A shiver goes down my spine at his words because I know it’s not Skull holding me and claiming me as his.
It’s his twin brother.
Rune swipes his tongue over his lip thing, then places his palms out in front of him. “Was just asking who she belonged to.” He drops his dark gaze back to me and flashes me a wink. “Nice to meet you, gorgeous.”
Bones growls, and the rumble travels up my spine. I spin around to face him, and his hand lands on my lower back instead.
His familiar blue eyes narrow dangerously. It’s so weird looking at him, so fucking identical to Skull, yet I can tell who is who just by their energy. Not to mention, Bones has this little curl of hair on his forehead. It’s cute. Wild. Just like him.
“My brother really fucking likes you,” he rasps, slowly scanning my face.
“I really fucking like him too.”
“You won’t hurt him,” he commands, his hand tightening on me. “I’m trying to be okay with this. If this is what lets him be happy, but only if you promise not to hurt him.”
“I’d never do anything to hurt your twin, Bones,” I vow, and he nods, a muscle working in his jaw.
“Then don’t flirt with any other men, little nurse,” he warns, running his palm up my spine. “Rune wanted you. You’re too fucking beautiful for your own good.”
“Everything okay?” Skull asks, coming up behind me. Bones removes his hand, and Skull replaces it with both of his on my waist. The two brothers stare at each other, with me pressed in between them.
“Rune wanted to see if she’s taken,” Bones explains, and Skull’s fingers tighten.
“Rune and Curse are the only brothers I didn’t get to introduce her to.” Skull sighs, running this thumb along the curve of my breast. “Thanks for watching out for her, brother.”
“Of course,” Bones murmurs, staring down at me with a look in his eyes I can’t place. “She’s yours, which means she’s mine.” He tilts his head to the side and flashes me a charming, lopsided smile. “Just in a different way.”
Glancing around, I notice a lot of curious eyes on us. “Everyone is staring at us.”
“We should give them something to talk about then.” Bones smirks, lifting me and throwing me over his shoulder.
Skull watches closely, but I can’t read his reaction either.
“Come on, brother. Let’s go have a drink,” Bones calls out behind him.
A drink actually sounds pretty-fucking-good right now.