End Game (Sinners MC Book 2)

by Jennifer Hanks

  “I hope not,” she replied icily before she smiled at Gunner and me. “I should go.” Luke leaned in and gave her another hug before she called out her good-byes and moved to the counter to place her order.

  Hawk watched her the entire time until Luke’s voice brought him back to the conversation.

  “Don’t even think about it, man,” Luke warned, but I already saw the interest sparking in Hawk’s eyes. “You think you’ve been up against dangerous men, just fuck around with Bree. Her dad will put the others to shame.”

  Hawk didn’t reply to that but instead moved on. “Keep me updated.”

  “This stays between the four of us,” I reminded him.

  “I want Snap gone more than you do. You do that, and appreciation’s all you’ll get from me.”

  Without another word, he stood and left, but not before giving Breanna one more long look.

  “Shit,” Luke swore. “He better not fuck with her.”

  “He’s going back to Colorado,” I reminded him. “Lotta girls there.”

  Luke nodded slowly, but it obviously still bothered him, so I got our discussion back on track. “When are you moving on this?”

  “I talked to Lucy already and told her what’s going on so she could line up some homes. I need to make sure we have enough on Colson to hold him, but I’m close, so it’ll be soon.”

  “You’ll let me know?”

  “Soon as it’s done.” Luke smirked.

  I chuckled because I deserved that. We’d had him involved in the takedown planned for Viper but moved on it early so Gunner could do what he’d needed to do regarding his father. We knew there was no way a man like Luke liked to be kept in the dark, but we’d done it anyway, so I deserved that shot.

  Gunner leaned forward and put his elbows on the table. “Maggie and me been talking. We’re gonna talk to Lucy about fostering the girls.”

  Luke looked my way, but this was news to me. I had no idea they’d been thinking about fostering. Gunner smirked when he saw our expressions. “Wasn’t gonna say anything yet, but it seemed like a good time.” His stare settled on Luke. “When you got what you need, take down that fucker. Maggie and I will do what needs done to make sure those girls have a home.”

  “You can’t live at the clubhouse,” Luke replied. “Social services won’t approve you.”

  Gunner nodded. “Talked to Race. He knows of a three-bedroom house near town. Thought Maggie and I could look at it. As long as we got a plan to take down Snap, it should be safe for Maggie to be away from the clubhouse. Hawk’s watching Snap closely, so I feel like it’s a good time to move out and give Maggie a home.”

  “She wanna be a mom?” I asked.

  “She wants to help those girls,” he admitted. “She remembers being alone and doesn’t want that for them. I agree with her.”

  “You talk to Dom?”

  Gunner shook his head. “Not yet. Plan to as soon as we get approved. Also plan to offer him a room in our house. That way, he can keep savin’ up and be close to his sisters.”

  Luke reached out and slapped him across the back of his shoulder. “Good thing you’re doin’ here, man.”

  Gunner nodded but looked at me. “You good with this? I won’t be at the clubhouse as much for a while.”

  I considered that for a moment. “We need to earn our trust back from this community. No better way to do that than to end Snap and give back some.”

  “We’re gonna get that trust back,” he replied confidently.

  I was going to get that trust back.

  And not just from the community.

  I just needed to continue being patient.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  JOSIE

  Crossing my apartment, I grabbed my high-heeled ankle boots from beside the door, slid them on, and zipped up the backs. I’d been living in shorts and T-shirts all summer and decided to dress a little nicer to meet with Lucy. After she’d called earlier today and asked me to have dinner with her, I actually left camp on time. I was once again getting lost in my work and needed the reprieve, which shocked the hell out of the kids and staff, considering I never left until the campers and most of the staff were tucked in for the night.

  After I’d stopped at the clubhouse a few weeks ago, I’d made a decision to forget everyone, but I thought it would be best if I just faded from their lives. I wanted to continue to get to know Lucy, but I needed to distance myself from Becs and Maggie. It was just too hard. I was always nervous I’d run into Bear if I was with the girls, and I couldn’t let that happen. We’d both hurt each other, and even if it was due to extreme circumstances, we’d still done it, and distance was the only thing that would help heal those wounds.

  We’d spent less than four months knowing each other, yet I felt like I’d known him my whole life. It was a connection I’d never expected, which also produced pain I hadn’t considered when we’d walked away from each other. And spending time with Becs and Maggie only reminded me of that pain. I missed them too as I faded from their lives, but I needed a clean break, and Lucy was willing to offer me that, so I was taking her up on it. Besides, we had a lot in common and worked closely together, so our friendship made sense.

  Running back to my bedroom, I looked in the mirror and evaluated my outfit. It wasn’t too dressy for dinner, and at least I felt like a girl again. I touched the end of the floral skirt that swayed around my thighs and smiled. Glancing up, I made sure my bra straps were tucked under the wide bands of the silky tank I wore when the doorbell rang. Flicking off the light in my bedroom, I headed back into my kitchen, past the living room, and pulled open the door.

  I smiled. “Hi, Lucy.”

  “Hey.” She returned my smile. “You look great.”

  “So do you.” I complimented. And she did in her long maxi skirt and cute top. “I needed to wear something besides shorts and camp T-shirts.”

  She laughed and gestured behind her. “You ready?”

  I grabbed my purse from the small table by the door and followed her out, locking up behind me. We grabbed the elevator when a couple who lived down the hall from me got off and stepped inside, hitting the button for the lobby.

  “Where are we going?” I laid my hand on my stomach. “Not that it matters. I’m so hungry, I could eat just about anything.”

  The doors opened into the lobby, and we walked out of the building toward her SUV. “I thought we’d grab takeout. I have a surprise for you.”

  My eyes widened. “A surprise? For me?”

  Lucy grinned. “Yep.”

  She walked around to the driver’s door of her SUV while I got into the passenger side. She started the engine and pulled out while I considered what type of surprise she could have for me.

  “What is it?” I pressed in the quiet of the vehicle.

  She laughed. “Wow, you can’t handle surprises, can you?”

  I thought about that and laughed. “No, I can’t actually.” When she remained quiet, I pushed on. “Can you tell me anything?”

  She pulled the car into the little diner where Becs and I had dinner over a year ago. “I can tell you this is where I’m picking up the food.”

  I put my hand on the door handle, but she stopped me. “Just wait here. I’ll only be a second.”

  “Okay,” I replied and stayed still, but I was starting to get nervous. I couldn’t remember the last time someone had surprised me, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized it was when Bear left me the picture of the kids on my counter. That surprise had been amazing, but it had also been painful, so maybe that was tainting what could be a fun surprise tonight.

  I came out of my thoughts when Lucy opened the back door and loaded two large brown shopping bags onto the back seat. I was immediately overwhelmed by the scents, and my stomach growled loudly. Lucy laughed when she jumped back in the front seat and began to back out.

  “Sorry, I haven’t eaten since breakfast.”

  “Ugh, me either.” She shook her head and flipp
ed on her turn signal before turning right onto a quiet street. “It was such a busy day.”

  “Does it slow down in the summer?”

  She grinned in my direction. “Since you started the camp, it’s slowed down some, but we still have the younger kids in their homes to monitor.”

  She flicked on her turn signal again and made a right before pulling into a driveway. Looking out the front window, I stared at the adorable two-story blue house and sighed. It looked like a peaceful getaway the way it sat against a tree line with lush green grass on either side and a wide front yard. Flowers bloomed along the front, situated on either side of a short set of stairs leading up to an expansive front porch.

  Smiling, I looked over at Lucy. I’d never been to her house, but I thought it fit her personality well. “Your house is adorable.”

  She didn’t respond, but she did smile softly before jumping out and grabbing the bags from the back seat. Getting out, I followed her up the front stairs but was at a loss for words when she rang the doorbell.

  “I thought this was your…”

  I trailed off when the door opened, and I was greeted by Gunner. His eyebrows drew together, and he glanced back and forth between us, but just then, Maggie appeared behind him.

  “Josie.” She pushed past Gunner and threw her arms around me before doing the same to Lucy.

  Still unsure of what was happening, I looked directly at Gunner, whose expression was no longer one of confusion. Shaking my head, I looked at all three. “What’s going on?”

  “Let’s go inside.” Gunner moved out of the doorway, gesturing for us to go inside.

  We entered a small foyer that held a staircase to the second floor, but when I looked to the left, I saw a living room. Walking behind the others, I looked around the living room and smiled when its coziness embraced me. It led directly into the kitchen where Lucy lifted the two large bags and set them on the massive island lined with four stools across the front. And just beyond the kitchen was another room that I assumed was a family room. It had sliding glass doors that led to, what appeared to be, a screen-in porch.

  “Would you like a drink?” Maggie offered quietly, but she was wringing her hands together.

  Lucy shook her head. “No, thank you, Maggie. Actually, I’m here to give you some news, and I thought it would be nice to bring Josie along too.” Lucy grinned at me. “Even though she has absolutely no idea what’s going on.”

  “I don’t.” I agreed.

  “Well?” Gunner asked.

  “You’ve been approved!” Lucy announced excitedly.

  Maggie smiled and leaned into Gunner, who put his arm around her shoulders, but I still had no idea what was going on. “Approved for what?”

  Lucy nodded at Maggie. “Why don’t you share your news?”

  Maggie took a step forward but leaned her back against Gunner while she spoke. “We kept it a secret because I wanted to make sure it was gonna happen, but Gunner and I applied to be Arie and Kyla’s foster parents.”

  My eyes widened. “They’re not going back to the Colson’s?”

  “Colson got into some trouble with the law,” Gunner replied.

  “When?” I inquired.

  Gunner wrapped his arms around Maggie’s waist. “He was arrested last week.”

  I laid my hand over my chest, still shocked at the news. I had so many questions, but when I saw the happiness on Maggie’s face, I knew now was not the time. Stepping forward, I reached out and grabbed Maggie’s hand. “This is such a wonderful thing you’re doing. I’m so happy they’ll have you and Gunner.”

  Maggie nodded excitedly. “Thank you.”

  I shifted my attention back to Lucy. “What’s the plan for the change? Do the girls know?”

  “No,” Lucy admitted, just as the doorbell rang and Gunner stepped away from Maggie, heading in that direction. “That’s where you come in. When they leave camp, they’ll come here to live, so I was hoping we could set up a few visits before camp ends.”

  “I think that’s a great idea.” I nodded. “That way, if they have questions or adjustment issues, they’ll have plenty of staff to talk to before the change is permanent.”

  “Would you be able to bring them, and I’ll meet you here?” she inquired.

  “Absolutely.” I pulled my purse off my shoulder and set it on the counter before digging inside for my phone. “I just need to check the calendar so I don’t schedule the visits during an activity I know they like.”

  Pulling up my calendar on my phone, I glanced over my shoulder when I heard footsteps, and my eyes locked with Bear’s. My stomach roiled at the sight of him, and our eyes locked on one another while he walked the rest of the way into the room.

  He finally broke our stare and smiled at Maggie. “Just heard the news, sweetheart. Congratulations.”

  “Thanks, Bear,” she replied quietly.

  Lucy grabbed my phone and shoved it back into my purse, and only then did I come out of the fog I’d been in. I must’ve looked ridiculous the way I was holding my phone and staring at him. Jerking my attention back toward Lucy, she smiled understandingly and gestured toward the food bags.

  “Let’s eat before it gets colder than it probably is.” She reached into one of the bags and began pulling out Styrofoam containers. “We can work on the schedule after we eat.”

  I nodded and grabbed the second bag, unloading it beside Lucy while Maggie got out plates and silverware. Maggie pointed at the dining table between the kitchen and family room. “Do you want to eat at the table?”

  “Sure,” Lucy agreed. “By the way, I love everything you’ve done so far with this house.”

  “Did you just move here?” I held my breath when Bear moved behind me to open the refrigerator where he got out cans of beer and bottles of water.

  Shaking my head slightly, I focused on Maggie, who was answering my question. “Yeah. When we decided to apply to be foster parents, we knew we needed a house. We wanted to keep everything quiet until we were approved, but I was dying to tell you because I really wanted to show it off.” She glanced around. “I just love it. It’s so cozy.”

  “Cozy was exactly what I thought when I walked through your living room.”

  We carried everything to the table and sat, me beside Lucy and Bear directly across from us. Everyone was quiet as they loaded their plates with various foods from the containers, everything from salad to burgers and pasta.

  “How are the bedrooms coming?” Lucy was the first to break the silence.

  “Good,” Maggie replied. “We ordered beds.”

  “They’re in.” Gunner gestured toward Bear. “Called Bear, and we’re gonna go get ’em tonight.”

  “What did you decide on?”

  “We got twins for the girls’ room and a queen for Dominic’s room.”

  My head snapped toward Maggie, and I held her stare. “You have a room here for Dominic too?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, Gunner thought it would be a good way for him to save money and still be with his sisters, so he asked him, and Dom agreed, but he’s not moving in right away.”

  My attention shifted to Gunner, and I stared at him for a moment, once again surprised by the generosity of these people. Dominic was considered an adult, so they had no reason to offer him a home, but they knew what it would mean to a kid who’d been fighting almost his entire life to keep his sisters with him.

  I smiled softly. “I know how much that means to him.”

  “Me too,” Gunner replied honestly. My eyes slid to his side, and I saw Bear’s on me.

  Had I misjudged them? I thought I knew what their club was about, especially after Bear didn’t deny beating up Skinner, but after talking to Dominic and hearing what lengths they were going to for these kids, I was more confused than ever.

  Dropping my head, I continued to eat and listened to the conversations around me. Lucy and Maggie talked about things the girls may need while Gunner and Bear discussed their moving plans tonight, but I didn’
t have much to add.

  After we finished eating, I stood immediately and began clearing the table when Maggie called out. “I’ll do it, Josie.”

  I took the last few plates from the table. “Don’t be silly. I got this. Besides, you’re going to be doing a lot of dishes in the very near future. Two ten-year-old girls can make a huge mess.”

  “And an eighteen-year-old boy can eat a lot,” Lucy added. “Maggie, why don’t you show me the bedrooms so I can document that I checked them?”

  “Okay,” she replied quietly.

  I kept my back to the room and began washing our dishes, listening to the noise in the room becoming less and less. My shoulders dropped in relief when I thought everyone had left.

  “You think this is a good fit?”

  I closed my eyes and paused my rinsing the soap from the plate when I heard Bear’s voice. He appeared beside me and leaned his hip against the sink just as I opened them. I finished rinsing the plate and turned off the faucet.

  “For the girls?” I began scrubbing another plate.

  He grabbed a towel from the counter beside the sink and began drying the dishes. “Yeah.”

  “I think they’ll love Maggie,” I admitted. “This will be really good for Dominic too.”

  He dropped the towel and leaned down beside me, his forearms resting on the lip of the counter. I paused washing the dish and glanced his way. We were so close our noses almost touched.

  I didn’t wait for him to speak. “I think I owe your club an apology.”

  He watched me closely. “No, you don’t.”

  “What happened with Skinner…” I trailed off. Bear dropped his eyes, but only for a moment before lifting them when I continued. “I thought I understood, but now I don’t know.”

  “We’re fighting hard to become something we can be proud of,” he clarified quietly. “It’s not easy to understand what we have to do to get there.”

  Hearing voices, I reached around him and grabbed the towel as he stood tall again. Drying my hands, I turned to face the living room, hoping Lucy would tell me she was ready to go. We could figure out the schedule later. For now, I just needed to leave and have an opportunity to think.