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CHAPTER ONE

Everyone sees what you appear to be What you allow them to see Few people ever experience who you really are Even feill ever knoho you are deep down in your soul

People who fall into each of those categories surround ht

“You know she’s your wife, right?” Z taps isters “You look like a lion about to pounce on a ham sandwich”

I doubt she heard hih the clubhouse, but Hope drags her gaze across the roo The corners of her mouth turn up and pink races over her cheeks as she meets my stare

“Christ, after all this time, you can still make her blush with a look?”

Fuck yeah, I can, and it’s still one of et that reaction out of her when I’ray, I’ll consider it one of my best achievements

“Girl practically o,” he says, clearly exasperated with my lack of attention “We can talk about the run to”

“Thanks,” Ipast people, iet to my wife Hope doesn’t break her conversation with Teller and Charlotte when I wrap my arms around her waist andher hands over my arms

Not enough

I lean down and nuzzle her neck “Let’s go upstairs”

“Rock” She squeezes the arm that’s wrapped around her like a python “Teller and Charlotte want to have us over for dinner so we can see all the work they’ve done to their house”

“Wepresentable before we—” Charlotte trips over the words, stopping midsentence

Do I make her nervous?

Charlotte’s a brave girl Stabbed her uncle when he went after her Stood up to Wrath when he voted her down She’s a s in court But she always seems flustered around me I’m not sure how I feel about that She’s h, and the club trusts her now Those are the only things that matter

“Whenever you’re ready Let us know”

Teller’s been ada the work at his house on his own Or fro Charlotte’s brother to work He’s the most relaxed and least obnoxious he’s ever been in all the years I’ve known him For that alone, Charlotte’s earned my respect

“So, does Carter have to finish all his chores before you allow hih follows Hope’s question

“I guess I’ll give him the time off” Teller set him motivated”

I wait for Charlotte to defend her brother, but she shrugs “He’s never been very focused” She jerks her thumb in Teller’s direction “Mr Discipline here has been showing him the ropes”

Hope laughs again, brushing against h every muscle in my body “Sounds like someone else I know” She squeezes my arm “Is Teller’s motto ‘early is on time’ too?”

Teller grins and lifts his chin at ot that from him”

“Nah, you were always a dependable, hard worker”

Teller’s eyes widen as if I’ve never given him a compliment before Jesus Christ, my work never ends

I slideinto her hips She responds by shifting her ass and ever-so-slightly grinding it intoerection

This party can wait

I tug on her hand “I need a ith my first lady”

Teller’s mouth tips into a lazy smile “Sure, Prez”

“Texther away She runs a few steps to catch up with ?”

“I need you”

She lets out an exasperated snort “You have me anytime you want”