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

you’re made of.”
    “Why?”
    “That’s the way it is.” She tilts her head to the side. “I think you can handle it.”
    “Thanks.” I sound more confused than thankful but she accepts my words.
    “Just so you know, Dante hasn’t looked at another girl since you. Not even me, and we used to be pretty regular—”
    I throw my hand up in a stop gesture a couple inches from her face. “I really don’t need details.”
    She flashes a quick, apologetic smile. “Sorry. He’s really smitten with you, that’s all.”
    Smitten. Odd word to use to describe Dante and I let out a chuckle.
    Sadie laughs, too. “Right? Who could imagine big, bad Dante as a smitten kitten?” she says, sending both of us into a fit of silly giggles.
    When we catch our breath, I look her over. “Are you mad that he didn’t want you as his old lady?” That’s a pretty obnoxious question for me to ask, but I can’t help it. I can’t figure Sadie out.
    “Hell, no.” She glances around the packed clubhouse. “This life isn’t for me long-term. Besides, I’ve fucked almost every brother in this charter, so never gonna happen.”
    “Wow. Okay then.”
    She shrugs. “I like sex and I don’t like commitment. This is the perfect place if you keep your expectations to a minimum. Girls like Melody who come here hoping to snag an ol’ man just end up bitter little bitches.”
    I have no words, but for some reason I really appreciate Sadie’s directness.
    Thick, tattooed forearms wrap around my middle. Dante. I relax against him and he kisses my cheek. “You okay?” he whispers in my ear.
    “Yeah. Sadie was keeping me company.”
    He dips his chin to acknowledge Sadie, but doesn’t say anything else. Romeo, on the other hand, wraps his arm around Sadie’s waist. “How do you feel about high school graduations, Sadie?”
    Behind me, Dante groans. Sadie seems confused for a minute. “Haven’t been to one since my own,” she finally says.
    “Well, our girl Karina here is graduating Friday afternoon, and since she doesn’t have a lot of family, Dante and I thought some of her Iron Bulls family should be there.”
    That sounds like a load of crap if I ever heard one, but I keep my face neutral. “You don’t have to do that, Romeo. It’ll be so boring.”
    “Sure,” Sadie answers slowly, throwing me an Is that okay with you? face.
    “Good,” Romeo says, as if he’s somehow done his good deed for the day. He tugs Sadie off her stool and the two of them disappear down the hall.
    “What was that all about?” I ask Dante as he takes Sadie’s vacant seat.
    “No fucking idea. I tried to talk him out of it. Figure he’s either hoping to see your friend or he’s sincere and trying to make up for giving me so much shit.”
    “Shit about what?”
    His mouth flattens into a thin line, as if he wishes he hadn’t said so much.
    “He’s just jealous of my hot lil’ girl.”
    Luck joins us before I question Dante further. Romeo returns without Sadie and claps Luck on the back. “Perfect. You can join us at Karina’s graduation, too.”
    His gaze roams over me for a brief second before he seems to come to a decision. “Ah, sure, prez. Dante, that okay with you?”
    This is all getting too weird for me. Dante interprets my pleading look correctly and takes my hand, sliding me off the stool. “We’re heading out. You hear anything, let me know, prez.”
    “Will do.”
    Finally the bizarre night at the biker compound is over.

Chapter Eleven
    N o surprise Karina hasn’t heard from her dad. First thing Monday morning looks like I’ll be tracking him down and beating some information out of him. Not even a phone call on her graduation day. He’s gonna get a few extra punches just for hurting my girl’s feelings.
    Karina shakes it all off. She did well on all of her exams—not that I expected anything different.
    “I don’t know why I bothered. No one will see my dress when it’s covered by the hideous gowns we have to