Page 16 of Best Laid Plans

I look over at Powers and nod, taking a deep breath before slowly blowing it out again. He pushes the doors open, and we step inside. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust, and when they do, I see everyone turn to look our way.

Oh god, I can’t do this.

Powers’s hand tightens around mine, as if he knows I’m two seconds away from running.

A hulk of a man steps up to me and wraps me in a bear hug. “I’m so mad at you for leaving,” Kruger growls into my ear before he places me back on my feet. “But I’m glad you’re back.”

I blink back tears. “I’m sorry.”

“I know.”

He gives me a sad look before he walks away. Havoc walks over next and puts his fingers between his lips and whistles. “Alright, time for church before the women get here because they’ll steal Lil right out from under us.”

“Lil, right,” someone huffs, making me flinch.

“You got something to say, Probe?” Powers all but growls.

“Not a thing,” he says, his hands in the air. I don’t miss the tightening of his jaw when I find him in the crowd. If looks could kill, I’d be dead right now.

When Circus steps up next to him, I feel my legs shake. He folds his arms across his chest and looks at me. There’s no anger or hatred on his face, but there is no happiness at me being here either.

“Church, now!”

Havoc turns back to us as everyone starts moving. “The girls will be here in a little while to whisk you away from church. But we need to know what the fuck is going on. You take your time and ignore any fuck that gives you attitude, okay?”

“Okay.”

He looks at Powers. “Keep your temper in check. I don’t want to have to remove you, but I will if shit gets out of hand.”

“The only way it will get out of hand is if they target Lil. I won’t stand around and let them attack her any more than you’d let them pull that shit on Tink.”

“Fuck. You’re right. I forgot she’s your old lady now. Won’t happen again. We’d better start by announcing that. That way, the guys will reel themselves in before they cross the line, knowing the consequences for their actions will be worse.”

I bite my tongue, hating that I’m only important now because I’m Powers’s old lady. But that’s the MC way. You’d think I’d be used to it by now, but perhaps being away from the club has put things more into perspective.

“Meet you in there.”

As he heads out, G stumbles down, bleary-eyed. “So much for not seeing us until lunch, huh?” Powers jokes. G flips him off.

I don’t say anything. I follow them both into the room church is held. It’s my first time coming in here, and honestly, I think it’s going to be my last.

God, I’m going to throw up.

Havoc points at the two empty seats to the left of the head of the table, so I make my way over there and take the first empty one, which is next to Dice. He gives me a smile when I sit, which eases some of my tension. You know, as long as I don’t look at anyone else.

“Alright, I know we have a lot to cover, but if you can’t keep your shit together, I won’t hesitate to throw you out of church. That will be your only warning because Powers won’t be generous enough in giving you a second,” Havoc begins.

“Why Powers?” Hoops asks. I peek up through my lashes to look at him across the table.

“Because he has claimed Lil for his old lady.”

“She’s been back five minutes, and he’s claiming her? I thought prospects couldn’t fuck a club girl?” Crane states.

“We’ve never fucked,” Powers snaps at him. Crane snorts like he doesn’t believe him.

“I get that you all assume that because I’m a club girl—or was now, I guess—that I’m an easy slut. And you know what, I don’t care anymore. But Powers is your brother, and you don’t believe his word?”

“She’s right,” Kruger grunts, leaning forward so he can glare at me. “And don’t talk shit about yourself like that.”