Page 34 of March 5

"Everything." He exhaled. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

She grabbed onto the side of the pool and, in one smooth move, pulled herself out and stood in front of him, dripping wet. "You didn't."

He watched her control her expression and frowned. "Are you sure?"

"Positive." She stretched to her tiptoes, kissed his whiskered cheek like she'd done a hundred times before, and walked away from him. "I'll see you later."

Skye waved over her shoulder and walked around the corner of the pool toward the locker room. He remained behind, wondering what the hell had happened. Was she lying, or had nothing that had happened between themmade her question their existence?

With nothing more that he could do and not wanting to press the issue if she was going to pretend nothing was wrong, he left the pool and went back to the clubhouse. Inside, the party had already started. The Havlin members celebrated for the sake of partying. Most of them were just damn glad they were alive another day.

Jagger smacked Dio on the shoulder. "No fighting tonight."

"No, Prez." He took the offered bottle ofwhiskey. "I'm getting too old to get my ass handed to me."

"Maverick's not someone you want to mess around with." Jagger looked over the room. "Either is Ruger. The rest of the guys, you might stand a chance against." He chuckled. "Are you still good to ride out with Crew Two next week?"

"Yeah, I'm good."

Jagger hitched his chin toward the door. "I'm heading out. Baller is spending the night over at Ruger and Cora's house. I finally get time alone with my old lady."

"Enjoy your night."

He walked over to the makeshift bar at the side of the room and found a can of Coke. Pouring the contents into a Solo cup, he added a few fingers of whiskey. He wasn't in the mood to get shitfaced. All he needed was something to take the edge off before he headed home.

He leaned against the wall. Denise used that moment to come over and rub herself against the front of him.

"Hey, baby. I haven't seen you around lately." She cupped his ass, keeping him pressed against her.

"Not in the mood, Denise. You'll have to find someone else."

"Dawn." She pouted. "My name's Dawn."

Her name wasn't important. She was one of the bitches that showed up every Friday night that the club opened its doors, looking for dick.

Movement behind her caught his attention. He narrowed his gaze, trying to see through the men coming into the clubhouse. In the middle of thecrowd, he recognized the beautiful face, smiling at something Tino said.

Skye must've showered at the pool house. Her hair was wet and hung past her shoulders. Her flushed cheeks made her even more beautiful. Her eyes were alive, and she looked hot in a summer dress that showed her arms and shoulders.

Before he could move, Skye's gaze connected with him. She instantly looked at Denise or Dawn or whatever her fucking name was and then turned around.

He moved the bitch from him and sent her away. Whether Skye was upset with him or not, he wouldn't do anything to disappoint her tonight.

Brett and Mariah led Skye and Tino to the pool table. He had only seen Mariah coming to the parties if she was with Skye, who usually dropped in looking for her dad. Taking in the way Brett held Mariah's hand, he'd missed a lot of what was happening around the clubhouse.

Tino leaned in and whispered to Skye, putting his hand on her back as if he had the right to touch her. He couldn't take his gaze off her long enough to look around for Maverick. His MC brother should be here, protecting Skye from members like Tino who would more than likely hop from Skye to some bitch the moment she left.

Another woman from the regular pack that hung out at the parties headed toward him, cutting off his view of Skye. Someone, besides him, had to have the authority to get Skye out of here.

"Hey, baby." The bitch wound her arms around his neck. "You look lonely over here byyourself."

"Get someone else." He extracted her arms from around him and looked across the room.

Skye watched him. Though she smiled and nodded at the conversation going on around her, he could see the pain in her gaze.

He shook his head, hoping she'd understand the party wasn't the place for her to be tonight. It wasn't because he was here and wanted her gone so he could enjoy himself. She was too good for Tino. Hell, she was too good for him. He'd never want her around the guys drinking and fucking around.

While every one of the members knew the bylaws by heart, it only took one mistake to fuck up. Tino might think he was having an innocent conversation with Skye, but men were stupid. They did a lot of dumb shit because they thought with their dick. Maverick would kill anyone who touched his baby.