I give Levi an hour to get settled and get a couple of pints in him before I tell him what went down with his sister. I hate doing it, ruining his good mood, but too many people know what happened for me to keep it a secret. It was on the tip of my tongue to lie to him, but our lifestyle runs on trust, and there’s no fucking way I’m breaking that bond for some bratty kid, and that’s exactly what Briella is. She’s a bratty fucking kid. I don’t care that she’s nineteen. She’s a fuck ton younger than me and that’s all I see, so my need to protect her, even from her brother, takes me by surprise. I’ve never felt protective of a woman in my life.
Levi huffs out a breath and his eyes narrow as I explain what happened. I leave out the fact that Briella stayed in my room. Why? I don’t know. It’s not like I did anything with her, but I’m not sure her brother would be happy knowing she was in my space. If I am being honest, I would admit that I liked having her there. I also liked that she left her scent on my sheets, her perfume lingering in the air. Doesn’t that make me a fucking creep?
I also don’t tell him about the wanker with his hand up Brie’s skirt. Kyle and I took care of that fucker this morning. I hope the guy knows a good dentist. He’s going to need one after I knocked a few of his teeth out. He’s lucky he’s still breathing after the shit I witnessed.
“I’m fucking sorry you had to deal with that,” Levi mutters as he rolls his glass between his hands, his eyes on the bar.
He’s young, only twenty-three, and he rose up the ranks to secretary faster than he probably should have, considering how short a time he’s been with the club. Despite his age, it’s clear he’s got a good head on his shoulders. From what I know, he practically raised Brie from the time she was fourteen, which is probably why he’s so fucking level-headed. He had to parent a child as wild as Brie. He had his work cut out for him. Rav and Sin—before he was killed at the club’s hands—saw the talent the kid has and latched onto it straight away. He’s a hell of an asset to the club.
“Thanks,” Levi continues, “for keeping her safe.”
“Anytime, brother.” I clamp a hand on his shoulder and squeeze, offering him my reassurance before I wrap both hands around my pint glass.
The common room is dead tonight, just a few club bunnies lingering around and Titch, who is sitting watching a football game on the wide screen TV with Whizz. It’s a change from the usual bustling noise and I wonder where the rest of my brothers are. Since Rav and Nox both settled down, things have been quieter at the clubhouse. I have to admit, I don’t miss the old days where it was chaos and mayhem all night long. I like the fucking peace. I sound like an old man, but I feel every one of my thirty-one years tonight. Especially sitting next to Levi.
“She seem okay?” he asks.
My brows draw together at his question. “How do you mean?”
Levi sighs, raking his fingers through his hair. “Ain’t sure what the hell is going on with her lately. She’s acting out more than usual, being reckless. I don’t know what the hell changed, but something sure as fuck has in the past few months. Never seen her like this. Even after—”
He breaks off, taking a steadying breath and I want to ask even after what, but I don’t want to push the brother either. I’m not supposed to be interested in his sister, even though I am.
“Even after what our bastard father did to her,” he hisses out on an angry breath.
I sit up straighter, steel snapping my spine as fire ants scorch my skin. I shouldn’t ask, but the words are out before I can stop them. “What did he do?”
Levi glances at me, then sighs. “Ain’t my story to tell, but my old man was a piece of work. He’s why I took Briella out of that house. Didn’t matter that I had no fucking money, lived in a bedsit with nothing to my name, but what I earned week to week. It was better than her staying.”
Icy fingers crawl up my spine. What the fuck did their father do to her? The thought of him touching one hair on her head makes red film descend over my eyes and makes acid gnaw at my gut.
“Ain’t a kid anymore, so I can’t tell her what to do, but I’m worried she’s spiralling and I don’t have the first clue why. What the hell changed?”
I don’t know this either, though I was aware she’s been getting into more shit than usual lately. In that moment I make it my mission to find out. “She say anything to you?”
He snorts. “You ever been around my sister, Day? She ain’t exactly an open book.”
I lace my fingers on the top of the bar, not sure what the hell to say. Heart to hearts aren’t really my thing, but this concerns Briella, which means my interest is piqued.
“You talked to her?”
“Tried. She just says nothing’s wrong.”
I take a sip of my drink, letting the malty taste disperse over my tongue. I want to know myself now, because thinking back, when they first came to the club, she wasn’t like this. She was different, quieter. The change didn’t happen overnight, but it sure as shit didn’t come on slowly either. Now that I’m thinking about it, I can’t stop focusing on it.
“Anyway, you ain’t sitting there looking to hear my problems,” Levi mutters, staring into his pint as if it holds the answers to the universe.
“Brother, you got shit going on, I want to hear about it.”
Especially if it concerns Briella.
“Appreciate that.”
Sensing he’s done talking, I change the subject. “How was Howler?”
“Same as always. I think he’s underestimating the problems he’s facing.”
Unease prickles up my spine. “Underestimating how?”
“He’s picking up enemies across Manchester that are itching to start a war, take over his patch.”
That won’t happen. Ever. The full force of the Untamed Sons will come down before we allow one of our chapters to be unseated. We haven’t spent the past forty plus years gaining power to let it slip through our fingers. Howler, as president, has the power to call in the other Sons’ chapters, but I know the man well. He’s a stubborn fuck. Hopefully, he won’t be about this.
“You told Ravage?”
He nods. “Fury called him as soon as we got home. Rav’s talking about getting more guns in, just in case.”
That means dealing with our American friends. The Tennessee chapter of the Sons are the national chapter in the US and are our main gun runners, though we buy some in from our Irish brothers too. The president, Omen, runs a tight ship with his vice president, Havoc, at his side. I like the chapter. They’re solid brothers, good men, savage and willing to do whatever it takes to keep things running smoothly. I respect that.
“Church?”
“He didn’t say, but expect it first thing in the morning. I can’t see him letting this shit go.”
Neither can I.
Levi turns on his stool and glances around the room until his eyes lock onto Noelle. The tiny blonde smiles as she meets his gaze and he crooks a finger at her, signalling her over. I don’t know what the fuck is going on with those two, but bunnies aren’t supposed to be exclusive to one brother. Noelle is, though. Everyone knows she’s Levi’s. Weird fucking shit, if you ask me, but it ain’t my place to step in. Levi’s business is just that—Levi’s.