i want it all

Freddie shrugs at the comment “ I mean, yeah, probably. ” there's no point attempting to argue that very true fact. “ because it's fun, and it a pretty good workout you know, if you're more cardio-based. Anyway - food. Whatcha feeling? ”

"I'm not interested in loosing weight so I don't do much cardio. I'm all about the muscles as you can clearly see." Julien said, gesturing to his bare chest. "Anything really. There's something kind of nice about really greasy unhealthy food after a good work out."

Zak was getting frustrated and he wasn't in any shape to do so. He needed to bite back his words and walk away. "It's not like that at all but if you want to act like a child and think that way fine." He said as he took a step away. "Then don't talk. Get out of my house and we will revisit this later." Zak said before he turned on his foot and walked away before he said something he would regret.

"Maybe don't have the clubhouse in your actual house and it would save you so many issues." He had never said it, but he thought that was pretty fucking stupid especially when his child lived there and they were at war. Did Zak think that would deter a gang like the serpents? "Fine." Julien said simply, turning and walking away from the argument that was sure to continue at a later date.

beneath the sarcasm, nestled that rarely contained anger. the emotion that far too often found him in a spot of trouble. a fact that could nearly be made obvious in that moment. but instead, caio simply rolled his eyes with a laugh. as he stood from the machine he had been using. and stepped over to the one that julien had his eyes set on. " listen, my friend has some trouble with his words. too many punches to the head, you know ? " a laugh was forced out, an attempt at keeping it easy. " but see, it'd be best for us all if you found a different machine. maybe one on the other side of the room . " after a beat, the man lifted himself up from the machine. with some choice words grumbled out. which had caio's muscles tensed with the anger that rippled through him. but he breathed. in and out. before he forced his gaze to julien , " there, now you owe me . "

Julien watched as the interaction took place, happy someone else was dealing with it as he was in no mood to fight somebody. Usually he'd welcome a fight but he was still recovering from his bullet wound. "Wow thanks buddy." Julien grinned, putting Caio on the shoulder. "Yeah yeah sure I owe you one. Let me know when you know what you want or whatever. Nothing too big all you did was tell a guy to move."

there would be no denying how luciano loved this. the banter that seemed to fall so easily. if julien thought he were driving in some knife. with all intentions of hurting lucky. then the man had better sharpen his attempts. " you've clearly forgotten what babylon is for . " the words came accompanied with a click of tongue against the back of his front teeth. " if i was on my knees for you, then i would have hardly had to do much begging. or have you forgotten how easily i made your eyes roll to the back of your skull ? " the question clipped from his tongue just as the bartender brought forth the drinks. luciano plucked one up with ease. glass brought to his lips, " bitter isn't a good look for you, julien . "

"Of course I've forgotten, must not have been that memorable." Julien chuckled humourlessly, folding his arms across his chest. the last thing he ever needed or wanted to remember were his trysts with the man in front of him. Some things were best left far far in the past where they belonged. "Oh you think I'm bitter? That's hilarious. Not once have I tried to speak to you or even glanced in your direction, I don't know how you consider that bitter. I just truly hope you're miserable."

“ boo. ” he says in mock annoyance, laying down on the floor to kill the time with some stretches or whatever it is that gym bros do. “ it’s just so fucking boring here. I can’t believe you do this shit for fun. Wouldn’t you rather be out playing soccer or something? Now that shits fucking fun. ”

"It's probably boring for you because you'd have no idea what to do if you tried but some of us enjoy working out." Plus, Julien had a certain level of muscle he liked to keep at all times. It helped with his boxing. Plus, part of him just enjoyed looking good. "Why would I want to run around in a field kicking a ball around?"

Zak rolled his eyes, he didn't like the disrespect but in his physical state, he couldn't do much about it. "Watch your mouth Ryan." He demanded. "Ah, so it's about Jay." He said with a laugh. "Did you know Jay has been my right-hand man for years now? The enforcer works directly under and with the sergeant of arms, the role he will be taking over. That means he has spent all this time building a working, functional, and trusted relationship with Oxana. She trusts him to do his part. I trust him to do what is needed. That doesn't mean I don't trust you. But I didn't have to tell him to step up while I was in a coma for four days, and neither did Oxana. He just did it on his own. He took command, he got people out, he helped with the clean up, he took care of my damn child and he also has great relations with the society. His uncle is a member and his girlfriend is the leader's sister. While he may have just been an enforcer, before, that does not mean he doesn't have the abilities and qualities needed to do the damn job. And even if I choose you, he wouldn't be sitting here crying about it either." Zak took a beat, "There are things going on that you don't even know about. He performed a successful hit on the serpents with the Society. And besides, you have a recovery of your own to focus on. It's fucking temporary. Few more days till I'm back anyway. This had nothing to do with you. If I had died, Julien, I know in my soul Jason would do whatever is needed for the group of the club. He would learn, he would sacrifice, he would do anything. And I mean anything to protect his family because god damn, this is all he got besides Nico. So yes. Jason is my acting VP. And it's not just because I trust the man with my life and my child. Because he fucking earned it. Now get the fuck out of my sight."

The urge to cuss Zak out and not listen to a word he said was strong but Julien had too much respect for the patch on his back for that. Even though he might not agree with the choices the man made he was still his president, he needed to have a baseline of respect for him or there was no point being part of the MC in general. "Oh he stepped up did he? That's nice for him, I guess that means you can get whatever you want if you don't get shot. I'll make sure to dodge the bullets better next time then maybe I'll be considered." He muttered, rolling his eyes. "I didn't want to talk to you right now anyway, you came over to me." Julien needed time to calm down about the whole situation before they had a proper conversation.

@julienryan

there hadn't been any particular reason for him to be there. luciano had people to handle the business. to do what needed to be done without him spending every minute surveying. ensuring that all was going smoothly. but that night had been a distraction. from that which was happening in the city. to what continued to go through his head. he had simply needed the few hours to decompress, to dispose of all those thoughts in some of the only ways he knew how. which had been out in the crowd, until he'd needed a refill. to which he had excused himself to the bar, where he had caught his attention .

"Well we both know you're not exactly the working type so I don't see what you'd possibly be doing here besides lowering the class of the place." Not that it had much class in the first place. All Julien had to do was look at the owner for proof of that. "Did dick for brains break your heart again? Because I don't see any other reason you'd be over here talking to me. You looking for a rebound? No thanks. Sad, lonely and pathetic isn't really my thing any more so you'll have to find someone else to get on your knees for and beg for their attention."