“Good. I wanna see what Dex found without everyone sticking their nose in my business.”
The party hasn’t completely died down. Rooster, Jigsaw, and Ravage are clustered in front of the war room doors when we enter.
Z claps my shoulder. “I’ll see you later.” He ducks inside the small office to the right and closes the door behind him.
“Grinder!” Rooster’s hearty greeting erases a fraction of my irritation. I accept a quick handshake and pat on the back from him. “Life treating you good, brother?” he asks.
“Eh. As long as I’m not inside a cell, I’m good.”
“Hell yes.” Jiggy holds out his fist and I tap his knuckles with my own.
Finally, the brother I need to talk to steps inside the clubhouse. I barely restrain myself from pouncing on him. Dex takes his sweet-ass time moseying over.
“Well?” I ask as soon as Dex stops in front of me.
He flicks his gaze my way and smirks. “Emily’s a beautiful woman, but she can’t lie for shit.”
“Aww, look at Dex noticing a woman.” Jigsaw cackles and slaps Dex’s back. “Good for you, buddy.”
Dex slides an irritated glare at Jigsaw. “I’m runnin’ Crystal Ball. Noticing women is literally all I do. All day, every day.”
“I meant in the biblical sense,” Jigsaw clarifies. “Not in a commercial way.”
If I wasn’t ready to come out of my skin, I might find their antics amusing.
“What do you mean, Dex?” I ask, ignoring Jigsaw. “Did you see Serena or not?”
“No, but I definitely heard two people inside the house.”
“Her younger sister lives with her,” I say.
“She hot?” Ravage asks.
I growl in Rav’s direction and it’s enough to shut him up.
“Ah, I didn’t know that. Coulda been,” Dex says. “Didn’t see Serena’s car in the driveway. Peeked in the garage and it wasn’t in there either.”
“Thanks for trying.”
“No problem, brother.”
And thanks for not asking me why.
“What’s going on, Grinder?” Rooster asks. “Is Serena okay?”
“We’re fine,” I answer in a clipped tone that should leave no room for follow-up questions.
Thankfully, Rooster takes the hint.
“You sticking around for church tomorrow?” I ask Rooster.
“Yeah.” He glances at the war room. “If Z’s sticking around, I will. Shelby’s over at Wrath and Trinity’s house.” He jerks his chin toward the stairs. “They said we could stay with them if the clubhouse is too noisy.”
Little feet patter over the floor, stopping next to me with a squeak.
“Hi!”
I glance down at Z’s son. Still wearing pajamas along with an eager, chubby-cheeked smile. “Morning, Chance.”
“Come see!” He holds out one of his small hands, beckoning me closer.
I follow him over to where Hope and Lilly are sitting. As we approach, I notice the kids have a blanket spread out with a racetrack for cars or something situated in the middle. Little Grace is studying a red plastic car. Chance scowls when he sees her and reaches for it.