Page 24 of Porter (Dirty Misfits MC 2)
“I know what that feels like, though. Like the world is swallowing you whole and leaving everyone else alone.”
His eyes danced between mine. “I’m sorry you understand that.”
I slumped back into my chair. “I just wanted you to know that, okay?”
He nodded. “Is there anything else you want me to know?”
I smirked. “That last night was the most amazing night I’ve ever spent with any man.”
His eyebrows rose. “How many men you been with? You better not let Brooks know. He’ll kill every single one of them.”
I leaned forward. “Including you, if he finds out.”
“He won’t find out. And even if he does, I’ll take the brunt of it. I won’t let him come after you like that.”
“It’s funny that you think you have a choice in the matter.”
He leaned forward. “All I know is that I don’t just want this to be a one-time thing. I want to keep spending time with you, if that’s something you’d like.”
And just as I went to stand and kiss him, a cell phone rang off in the distance. A sound that made Porter groan as he flopped back against his chair.
“What is it?” I asked.
He released my hand. “That’s Brooks’ ringer. He’s calling my cell upstairs.”
My head fell back with a sigh. “You need to go get it, then.”
He stood from his feet. “I’ll be right back, and then we can finish this lovely conversation.”
I giggled. “I’ll be here, handsome.”
I watched as Porter’s towel-clad body backtracked down the hallway. He bound up the stairs before he snatched his phone up, and the muffled sounds coming from upstairs sent electricity trickling through my veins. I felt so comfortable with him. I felt safe, wanted, and enjoyed. When he looked at me, it made me feel like he was actually paying attention. Actually registering what I was saying and taking it all in.
Which was more than I could say for my own brother.
But when Porter hung up the phone call, I heard him padding around. And his footsteps didn’t come directly to the stairs. I shook my head and picked up my fork, shoving my face full of food. I knew what was happening. I knew what was going on. And when Porter finally found himself back in the kitchen, he was dressed from head to toe.
“I’m sorry, Astrid.”
I waved him away. “You’re good. I know you need to go.”
He plucked his bacon from his plate. “I promise I’ll be back soon.”
I glanced up at him. “At the very least, promise to call me. Okay?”
He kissed the top of my head. “Oh, you have my word on that one. Just make sure to shoot me a text so I’ve got your number. I left it scribbled on a piece of paper upstairs.”
I smiled softly. “Maybe I’ll make it a dirty picture just to keep you on your toes.”
He growled. “You’re spicy, and I adore it.”
Then, with one last capturing of my lips, I listened as his bootsteps fell toward the front door.
Before he closed it behind him and left me alone in a place I still wasn’t sure I could call home.
Thirteen
Porter
Cole clicked his tongue. “So, what the fuck happened with this impromptu, mysterious sunrise meeting?”
Brooks grinned. “I called them around three this morning and told them I had a feeling something was up, so if they wanted to meet, we’d be doing it in broad daylight and in a place of my choosing.”
I grinned. “That’s a good play. Means if they set up any traps, they’ll be scrambling to get them set up again.”
That, and I definitely would have missed this fucking meeting had Brooks not rescheduled it.
Tanner crossed his arms over his chest. “So, when are we meeting them and where?”
Brooks leaned against his bike. “In thirty minutes outside of that new gay bar they just opened downtown. I figured meeting in a public place that’s neutral territory would greatly alleviate the chances of this being a trap.”
Archer snickered. “You think the Black Flags give a shit about collateral damage? They’d blow up the damn courthouse if it suited their needs. They’re savages, through and through.”
Brooks nodded. “But we’re not. We give them the benefit of the doubt, and if—or when—they prove us wrong, we’ve got every right to unload what we’ve got and wipe them all out.”
I blinked. “You’re looking for a war, aren’t you?”
He glared at me. “No, but what I am looking for is a reason. Chops doesn’t give a shit about reasoning or rationality, and that’s what separates us from other crews. Our rules and our rationalization. So, we go in with cool heads while also being prepared for a fight. And if they draw first, we make sure we are the last ones shooting.”
Archer paused. “At a gay bar.”
Brooks’ face fell. “Will you just trust me on this?”
