Page 38 of March 5

When Jagger brought up the offer to leave Beaverton and start over in Seaglass Cove, he hadn't hesitated to follow. At the time, the club had grown too big. He'd questioned the loyalty of his brothers, and that doubt could get a man killed.

But he hadn't felt that way here. He respected Jagger, as he had Jagger's father, Baller, before he was murdered. Seaglass Cove was the first place he'd bought a house. Before that, he was fine with renting.

He'd put down roots. The club was his family.

"No." He finished his beer. "I'd stay."

"Yeah." Maverick coughed. "I stand with Jagger."

He nodded. Loyalty. The Seaglass Cove Chapter had that in spades, regardless of if they lost a few members by tapping the membership.

The screen door slammed shut, and feminine laughter joined them in the yard. Brooke led Skye andMariah outside, each carrying something.

"Here's a platter for the steaks." Brooke set the dish down and took the dirty one that had carried the raw meat. "The girls have some veggies that can go on next. Once they're done, we can eat." Brooke smiled at Maverick. "Remember, your daughter likes her steak well done."

Dio watched Skye. She moved with such grace, no longer all gangly-legged. She had a woman's body and moved as if she knew what she was doing.

"Dio?" Brooke stood beside him, having snuck up to him without him noticing. "Can I get you another beer?"

"Nah, thanks. I'm good."

"Let me know if you change your mind." Brooke went back into the house.

He waited for Skye to sit beside him or talk about her work, but she kept a steady stream of conversation going on with Mariah as they waited for the steaks to finish cooking.

Before long, they were all inside, filling up their plates and sitting around the large wooden table. Dio sat at the end, where he normally sat when invited to dinner. Skye took the chair to his left. Because Mariah joined them, Skye sat close enough to himthather leg touched his outer thigh.

"Sorry," he mumbled, scooting his chair over an inch.

Skye patted his leg under the table as if touching her was okay, and then removed her hand.

The heat from her touch remained behind throughout the dinner. The girls led the conversationwhile Maverick sat back, content to have his family around him. Brooke smiled around every bite of food. And Dio sat there with his balls aching.

He found himself angry.

Angry at Skye for changing their relationship.

Angry at himself for how he felt toward her.

Her love was innocent, pure, and exciting, while he had tainted the most beautiful thing he'd earned in his life.

He hadn't sought out a friendship with someone young enough to be his child. Skye came with his friendship to Maverick. She'd slipped into his life and, for some reason, latched onto him.

He grew to care about her as if she belonged to him. He'd die for her.

Softness rubbed against his calf. He shifted, moving his leg. Taking a bite of his steak, he tried to overlook the sensation, but when the caress circled his calf, he couldn't ignore the pleasure any longer.

His cock pulsed. He looked at Skye to silently warn her to stop what she was doing, but she talked to Brooke about her swimming schedule, unaware of the hell she was putting him through.

Maverick, Brooke, Mariah, were all centered on Skye. Under the table, she caressed and rubbed her leg against him.

The hair on the back of his neck prickled. It was the softest touch. A touch that grabbed him by the balls and tormented him.

He swallowed hard, unable to move away.

Stabbing pain pierced the skin of his calf, shocking him. He dropped his fork and shoved away from the table.

Everyone's gaze whipped to him and the room went silent. His heart raced. What the fuck?