When he’s gone, Lucy comes over, grabbing my hand. “I’m not sure what just happened, but thank you so much for coming to the library today!”
“Lucy, this had nothing to do with me.”
She shakes her head. “Andrew said he’s been wanting to talk to me for a while, but was scared. When Chase saw you, he said he’d go up to us and break the ice for Andrew, so this is totally all because of you.”
“Well, I’m glad it worked out.”
“What did you think of Chase?”
“He seems nice.”
“Nice?” She laughs. “So, are you into him or not? I told Andrew I’d find out so he can tell Chase.”
“I don’t know. I just met him.”
Her eyes widen in understanding. “You know, I was a late bloomer, too, but there’s nothing wrong with dating at our age or even having causal sex. If you like him, you should go for it. Just don’t forget to use protection!”
I’m flabbergasted for a moment before stuttering out, “Oh.”
She doesn’t seem to notice that she’s totally missed the mark on this one. Hell, I can probably teach her a thing or two or ten when it comes to sex. What it boils down to is Chase looks like the type of guy to fall fast for a girl. And I would never want to hurt someone in that way. I’m broken. No sense in fucking up an innocent person’s life, too.
“We’ll, if you do like him, then you should get to know him during the tutoring sessions. See where things go.” She throws her arm around my shoulder. “Come on. Let’s go back to the dorm. I still have a ton of packing to do before the week is over.”
Which reminds me that I still don’t have a place to stay, and time is running out. Maybe I’ll have time to look at work tonight. The thought of seeing Saint and Bash makes me smile. This day has been surprisingly good.
7
Saint
King rambles on about some chick he banged while in Oklahoma on business and I stifle a yawn. He doesn’t show any signs of shutting up any time soon, so I glance at the clock on the wall.
“Dude, did you even hear what I said? Her tits were a 40-J. A fucking J. And, they were real.” He makes a squeezing gesture with his hands. “Felt like holding ripe cantaloupes. Hell, maybe even melons.”
“King, I don’t really give a fuck about some whore’s tits.”
King sits back, pushing his long blond locks from his face. “You’ve wounded me, brother.”
“Are you planning on actually working or should I expect to see you with the club whores tonight?”
King grins. “Come on, Saint. All work and no play makes me antsy.”
“From what I can tell you haven’t done a lick of work in weeks.”
“That’s not true. I made sure our Oklahoma brothers are on board to help with the run next month.”
I lean back in my chair, taking a puff of my cigar. And there it is. The source of my concerns.
“You still uneasy about it?”
I reply, “We’ve never moved something like this before. I’m not sure it’s the legacy I want to leave around this place when I’m gone.”
“Saint, we’ve been through this. There are worse things we could be moving and the revenue from this will surpass anything we’ve ever done by a long shot.”
“I know. I’ve looked over the numbers.”
“But?”
“What line will we think is okay to cross the next time?”
King sighs. “Come on, brother. It’s just a few handguns. It’s not like we’re handing out machine guns to every fucker on the road.”
“That’s what you say now.”
“Listen, everyone is moving weed these days. It’s just not profitable like it used to be, especially since a lot of the states are making it legal. This will give us a boost until we come up with another plan.”
Another plan. That’s what it fucking boils down to. A lot of clubs are struggling, finding the old ways aren’t working like they once did. But weapons? That’s something I never thought we’d move. Hell, my old man is probably spinning in his grave right now, wondering what in the fuck I’m doing. I’ve asked myself the same thing.
“Did your contact get back with you about the warehouse?”
He frowns. “Yeah. Someone outbid us at the last minute.”
“Damn.”
“Don’t worry, Saint. I’ll find us the perfect place.”
“Any of the guys seem interested in the idea of it?”
He hedges. “A few. I think it’s hard for them to look past their own noses. Once we get it running, they’ll be on board.”
I turn my attention back to the security monitor. It’s almost ten. Olivia should be getting there soon.
“What’s got your attention tonight?”
“What?”
“What?” He gives me a mocking look. “Dude, I’ve known you for twenty years. I know when something’s up.”
“Hired a new girl last night.”
He sits up. “A new whore. Why didn’t you say so?”
“She’s not a whore,” I snap.
“Damn, dude. Okay, she’s not a whore. So, who is she?”
“Her name is Olivia. She was sent to the club by Rabbit.”
“Rabbit? That fucker is still trying to get an invite, isn’t he?”
“Appears so, but this is a good find. She’s young and has an innocent vibe. Real sweet.”
I think back to the way she looked when she got off my bike, with her shirt riding up, showing off her perky little tits, and I have to fucking adjust myself. Okay, she might not be as sweet as she looks, but I’m more than willing to find out.
“And she’s not a whore?”
I shake my head, shoving my anger down.
“What about a groupie?”
“I don’t think she’s even that. She told Bash she needed the job for money for college.”
Which reminds me of just how young she is. Her age alone should be enough for me to leave her alone, but I don’t think I can.
“Want me to dig around? Make sure she’s as sweet as she seems?”
I nod. “Yeah. I think I do.”
“Will do.”
“But she’s off limits, King. I mean it.”
He whistles. “You staking claim on her?” When I don’t answer, he stands. “Then we better make sure she’s who she says she is. I’m not going to let someone hurt you, brother.”
The again is unspoken.
He leaves me to my thoughts, which isn’t always a good place be. I know I’ve been in a bad mood for a while and it’s no one’s fault but mine. Taking another puff, I watch as a car that I don’t recognize pulls up to the club. Olivia jumps from the backseat, rushing inside as if she’s late.
Like clockwork, the cameras track her as she goes inside. Bash is there to greet her, putting a huge smile on her face. Bash looks a little dumbstruck, and I can’t say that I blame him. She’s beautiful, but when she smiles it takes my breath away.
Jas joins them. Even from the cameras, I can tell that she’s in a better mood than she’s been in weeks. Bash must have told her the good news. Olivia chats with her and then goes behind the bar, grabbing a towel. She walks around the room, wiping down tables and pushing in chairs, as if they will stay that way. I notice she’s wearing a t-shirt and jeans, which makes me feel better. She’s not exposed this way.