Free Running Wild (Hell Ryders MC Book 1) by J.L. Sheppard Page B

that job would be something she would enjoy. “If you talk to your friend, I’ll make you dinner every night for a week,” she promised.
    “I’d do it for free, Classy, but I’ll take you up on that offer ’cause you’re a good cook, and I like home-cooked meals.”
    Smiling widely, she wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him tight. He hesitated, but she didn’t care. She was a hugger, her way of expressing gratitude. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,” she whispered.
    He patted her back awkwardly. “Don’t start cryin’ on me.”
    She drew away from the embrace. “I’ll hold my tears, promise.”
    Grinning, he pulled his phone out of his back pocket, then made the call.
    ****
    Allie in another man’s arms, in his brother’s arms. Lucky fucking bastard.
    First time he sees her in days, and she’s hugging Cuss like he just handed her the world. Cuss patted her back like an idiot because he was too stupid to realize he held the world in his arms.
    Damn Cuss. There was something about the brother every woman loved. He couldn’t figure it out, but apparently Allie wasn’t immune.
    She never hugged him, and he’d roughed up her ex. He’d held her when she cried and tried to comfort her.
    Worse, her brother, Army, was standing there chuckling like it was hilarious, like Cuss was worth her.
    And lucky Trig, he witnessed it. It hurt worse than the burning ache he felt every time he looked at her and remembered she’d never be his.
    Trig needed to get the hell out of there before he did something he’d regret, like beat up Cuss or Army or both. He turned toward the wall, punched his fist through it, and walked away.

Chapter Ten
    Mia took a sip of her drink. Her gaze narrowed on a brunette wearing a leather mini-skirt crop top, and clear stripper heels. The ensemble left little to the imagination. “She comes near my man again, and I’m going to slap the shit out of her.”
    Allie had only endured one Friday night at the compound before, but she’d began to refer to them as Friday Night Fiascos. A full house, everyone drinking, shooting pool, watching TV, listening to music, and trying to get lucky with the numerous half-dressed women strolling around.
    Mia, Lynn, and she sat toward the back of the living room at the bar lined with stools.
    Taking a pull of beer, Allie smiled, then turned her stool slightly to get a good look at the woman Mia referred to.
    “Sweetie, didn’t you see he wasn’t interested,” Lynn asked.
    “Don’t care if he’s interested or not. I don’t want her near him,” Mia sniped.
    Allie grabbed some chips and popped them in her mouth with the intention of hiding her smile.
    Mia and Lynn were two old ladies part of Hell Ryders MC. Mia, a petite brunette with curves and spunk, often called “firecracker,” had been part of the club for five years. Three of those, she’d been married to Stone. He barely spoke, barely moved unless he had to get Mia out of trouble, or so Allie heard. Lynn, a sweet blonde with pretty green eyes and a soft smile, recently married Wild, who never let her out of his sight.
    A week and a half ago, Allie met them. She’d been in the kitchen, keeping her promise to make Cuss dinner, when they’d entered and introduced themselves. Since then, they’d become fast friends. Both women had taken her under their wing, invited her to the mall, dinners, movies, and so on. She confided in them, telling them her brother had the tendency to get up in the middle of the night, leave, and not return for hours. She’d never asked him why, primarily because she didn’t want to butt into his life. He was almost thirty. Mia and Lynn told her it was club business and not to bother asking. He wouldn’t tell.
    “How’s the job?” Lynn asked.
    “I love it,” she said, honestly. “The kids, my co-workers, everything…I love it so much, I feel bad only making seven meals for Cuss. You know he’s the one who got me the job. He knows Tiffany, my co-worker.