Slate got a call about the casino and we’d been held up for hours because of a guy like Kyle, who was wasting his life gambling with money he didn’t have. Slate was feeling generous and, in the end, let him go with a new job to pay his debts.
“Are we going soft?” Puffing on a joint in our casino office, we finally sit down to recoup after dealing with idiots. Kyle was locked in another room to think about his actions.
Instantly, three sets of eyes, stare me down.
Without a concern, I draw in a breath and hold it. My body relaxing fractionally. “Well, are we?”
“We’re not fucking going soft, you cock.” Tanner stands and paces, his fists tightening by his side.
“We just let a man have a job because he owes us money. When the fuck have we ever done that?” Throwing back the end of my alcohol, I stand at the one-way window and look out at the crowds of people below.
“We decided to make our business legit where we can, this makes sense. We get our money without causing more damage to people. He has a family, O.” Caden stands next to me and looks out as well.
Sighing, I turn. “So, we’re out of the killing game?” The thrill of torturing excites me. That won’t go away. But we have only ever killed if the scenario called for it.
“No.” Slate’s on his chair, smoke wafting around him. “But we need this, O, for our families. We have to be smart. Young idiots who are wired, impulsive and erratic are trying to take over parts of LA. We don’t want any of their heat or blowback coming our way. We go mostly legal where we can, breaking our ties with some syndicates when opportunities arise and then we have the income coming in, we don’t have to risk our family’s safety this way.”
Pouring another vodka, I slam it back. “I need the thrill of what we do, S. I live for it, thrive on it. I can’t sit back in the office and watch this.” My hands motion to the tables below.
“None of us can.” Tanner reclines on the couch. “They’ll still be opportunities, there’s no way business can go entirely above board. It’s not in our nature.”
“We’ve all had the same thoughts. But unnecessary risk won’t be taken. It’s not worth losing the girls and kids over.” Slate looks at us all and we all agree.
“Speaking of which, who’s the lovely little lady you brought with you? Into our space?” Tanner is a fucking gossip.
“She’s a job.”
“If she was only a job, she wouldn’t be in our apartment with our ladies. Spill it…” Tanner’s a pain in the ass when he gets going.
“Phoebe is a girl I knew a while back. She’s also the girl who witnessed the old guy who was killed, and I asked you to find details on. I nearly had the fucker today. He clocked me over the head, ramming me into a glass mirror after he kicked his sister in the ribs multiple times. I need to find him and eliminate him.”
“Hang on, I thought her name was Bluebell.” Caden’s not helping.
“That’s all you heard?” Reaching into my pocket, I open a pack of Skittles and empty half the packet into my mouth. I need an energy boost to deal with more.
Shit.
Why do I keep calling her Phoebe in my head, and why did I introduce her as Bluebell to everyone?
Shaking my head, I huff. “It’s a long story.”
I walk to the door, this conversation is ending. “Can we get out of here? It’s been a fucking drawn-out day.”
“You keen to tap that sweet ass of hers, O?”
Phoebe does have a fantastic ass, which Tanner shouldn’t be looking at. “Keep your eyes on Crystal’s where they belong.” Raw and gruff, I’m abrupt. The hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention and my teeth clench.
Chuckles hit my ears and I internally beat myself up. I walked straight into it.
“Take me home.” Smirking myself, I know she means more to me than a job already.
“The girls can be over the top. How do you like them?” I’d been questioning myself the entire day if I’d done the correct thing by bringing Phoebe with me. Her pleading eyes had thrown me off my normal authoritative ways of listening to no one. I’d let my guard down and she was nearly killed this time because I let her manipulate my decision.
Successfully.
Only three other people do that and get away with it.
Looks like Phoebe’s now on that list ‘cause having her around, albeit a few days, I honestly can’t imagine not talking to her and listening to her cotton candy voice trying with such earnest to keep from stuttering. I’m intrigued by watching the delicate way she licks her lips when she’s thinking, or the way she eyes every movement I make but tries to disguise it by looking down. I will do anything to see her eyes sparkle and the weight of her world release from her shoulders.
“They are fantastic, loud and wild but also fiercely loyal to their families.” Cross-legged on my sofa, her hands rest on the black cushion in her lap.
“That’s the girls. They have a lot of crap to put up with their men but looking from an outside perspective, and I’m no expert…” I laugh at my own words. “Their bonds are the tightest you could ask for in a relationship. They’ve all been through hell and back and survived to tell the story.” I place two beers on the table and sit next to her, in her space. Phoebe smiles.
“Yeah, I can see that. They all told me a little about their stories. I’m still in shock from learning that Lace is an MC Princess. I’ve gotta say, the limited people I do know are nothing like you guys.”
She has a sip of her beer and nods her head in approval. There’s only beer in my apartment considering I don’t have female company here, there’s no need for anything else.
“Is that a problem?” Setting my lips in a tight line, I need to know where she’s headed with this.
Curling her shoulders a fraction, head lowering, her hands tighten against each other. It’s minimal but I notice. “No.” Her voice is quiet.
My finger reaches to her chin and lifts it so she can’t hide. “But?” There are reservations and I don’t blame her. The girls are a tornado when they are together or planning something.
“I don’t fit in with them. I have no skills and talking is an effort for me. You saw how I was when I met you. I only stuttered a few times with the ladies, but they noticed I’m a freak. The world I am part of is secluded and set in routine, so I can function.” Pausing, she has another drink. My finger goes back under her face, my touch warm against her skin. “The entire time my heart pounded, my head whirled, and the nerves tingled everywhere. I was on edge, but it was refreshing. I coped and enjoyed myself to the point where I hope I see them again.” She smiles timidly. My hand moves and cups her face, my fingers stroking her cheek. “I was in awe of how incredible these women are and the level of passion they have for their men.” Her voice drops. “I didn’t know it could be like that.”
“Baby.” My arm slides behind her back and with care, I hold her against me. I ache feeling her pain. “Your father and brother did a number on you. But it can be undone.”
“Can it?” Filled with uncertainty, her eyes pierce mine. “I’m now twenty-six and still can’t talk around men or be touched by them.”