Entwined (Iron Bulls MC #3) by Phoenyx Slaughter Page B

the day apart. Me at the clubhouse patching in Cricket and his buddy. Her celebrating Athena’s birthday all day. I thought we’d have the night alone. But Athena followed her home and asked about the party being held at the clubhouse.
    “I’ll drive my own car,” Athena volunteers from the living room.
    “What is she, part bat?” I ask Karina, who giggles and pulls away from me. Her ass twitches as she hops down the stairs, reminding me of the plug I just shoved in her. At her request. I’ve created an anal-loving little monster.
    I can’t wait to get her alone in our room at the clubhouse.

    R omeo zeroes in on me as soon as I walk in the door. His gaze skips to Karina and I swear I see a hint of disappointment. Then Athena stumbles in behind me and his face goes positively wolfish at the sight of her. He smooths the eager look away and saunters over.
    “What’s up, brother?” His tone almost conveys casual.
    Karina presses up against my side. Romeo still freaks her out, which doesn’t bother me a bit. After that clusterfuck last night, my inclination was to lock her up in my bedroom. “Hi, Romeo,” she says shyly. “Athena and I spent the day with her family for her birthday and she asked if it would be okay if she came to the party tonight. I hope that’s okay?” I cough to cover up my laughter at the way she stresses birthday. Just in case Romeo forgot Athena’s finally legal.
    Like the prick he is, Romeo’s mouth curves into a wicked smile. “That right?” He lifts his chin at Athena. “Is today your birthday, sweetheart?” he asks her.
    For all her chatter this evening Athena turns pink and shies away once Romeo focuses his attention on her. “Yes.”
    God help me.
    I heave out a deep breath and pull Romeo aside. Karina leads Athena over to the bar, giving us some privacy.
    “Listen, I ain’t got no say over what you do with your dick, brother. But I feel responsible for her, being she’s Karina’s friend and all. Treat her with care, please.”
    For once he drops his smirk and takes my warning seriously. “Yeah. She’ll be okay with me. I won’t let her out of my sight.”
    He seems sincere, so I walk over to the bar to collect my girl.
    “Athena.” Her head snaps up at the sound of my voice, and her eyes widen when she spots Romeo behind me. “We’ll be upstairs. You need anything, call your girl,” I say with a nod at Karina.
    “Okay.”
    I’ve waited long enough. My hand captures Karina’s and I practically drag her upstairs. She stumbles and runs to catch up with me.
    “Dante, should we really leave her alone down there?”
    “She’ll be fine.” I work the lock on our door open and shove her inside. “Romeo’s a dick, but he won’t let anything bad happen to her.”
    Her nose scrunches up in a way that says she’s not so sure, but she doesn’t want to disagree with me. “Okay.”
    “Now, no more talking about them. I want to focus on us.”
    She gives me a slight smile. “I like the sound of that.” She wriggles against the door, clearly uncomfortable.
    “How’s that ass?”
    “Full,” she answers with a pissy-pouty face that’s cute as fuck. No. Can’t get distracted. I take both her hands in mine and lead her to the bed. “I need to talk to you.”

    The sudden serious turn in our fun conversation unnerves me. I haven’t forgotten the way we left Luck’s last night. Dante said he wasn’t mad, but I’m still unsure.
    The explosive, fire-cracking sex certainly helped.
    I shift, a little uncomfortable, but like the small reminder of last night’s activities.
    Dante rubs my hands between us. He seems almost nervous. I’ve never seen him anything but confident or lethal.
    “You remember when people have said you’re going to be my ol’ lady?”
    “Yes. Sadie said it’s a really special thing to you guys and not every woman gets to be one.”
    “That’s right. It means my brothers trust you and will protect you with their last breath.”
    “Does