Alfie stalks to the closet and throws on a pair of jeans. He doesn’t seem to use his cane anymore, though I can’t help but notice the slight limp. The leg still bothers him but he’s made great progress recovering from his injury.
He throws a pair of light blue jeans in Joaquin’s direction and grabs a shirt. Before I know it, he’s pulling it over my head. The shirt swallows me since Alfie’s much bigger than me but it’s also comforting to be wrapped by his clean scent.
Alfie lets his knuckles slide over my cheek. “I can’t think straight if I have those magnificent tits on display. Now. One more time. This Matt, your asshole partner. He tried to blackmail you into planting evidence because he wants a higher position with the DEA? Am I correct?”
I give a faint nod.
“It sounds too simple if you ask me,” he states and rubs a finger over his jaw.
Anger surges through me but I don’t get to say anything since Joaquin prevents me when he whispers in my ear, “Let him ramble for a bit. He’s not talking to you or me, he’s getting things straight in his head. Believe me, I’ve tried to talk when he’s like this, but he doesn’t even listen when he gets to this stage.”
I lean into Joaquin’s embrace, giving up on the havoc and deciding I’m too drained with my head spinning while I don’t see an option to get out of this loop I’m stuck in.
Alfie stalks away and comes back holding his phone. “Decker, can you get me info on Greta’s partner? His name is Matt Carlinck. And make sure to dig deep when it comes to his career. I want to know if the fucker has ambitions and every step he took climbing up the ladder and who he kicked out of his way to get where he is. Okay. Thanks.”
“What’s going to happen now?” I question.
“Now we’re going to get properly dressed and head for the clubhouse. I need to talk to Weston.” Alfie grabs a shirt and throws it on before putting his leather cut over it.
Joaquin gets up and runs his fingers through his hair. He looks uncertain, as if he wants to bring something up but doesn’t know how to address the issue he’s clearly struggling with.
Alfie sighs. “I know. Weston ordered us to wrap her around our finger and keep her away from the clubhouse. But she spilled details without thinking. I get the feeling she’s open and honest about everything she told us.” He pierces me with a harsh look. “And if you are lying, we’ll find out soon enough and deal with it.”
“I’m not lying. My report about you guys is in my car, glance it over if you don’t believe me. After Matt tried to blackmail me I thought on the drive over here about everything and decided to quit my job. I’ve made a career shift before: I think it’s time for me to crawl into a corner and lick my wounds. But I’m too pissed, dammit. I normally don’t let anyone walk right over me but what choice do I have? Those pictures are out there. I did the photoshoot and had sex with them too.” I let my head drop into my hands. “I’m such an idiot.”
A growl rumbles and my hands are pulled away. “I don’t want to hear you call yourself that ever again. You gave into your sexuality and you provided for yourself. Those photos gave you the chance to pay off a great deal of your debt. And you shouldn’t quit a job over a fucking asshole who thinks he can force his way onto you. He shouldn’t fucking be in a position if he thinks he can handle his partner this way.”
Joaquin strokes my back while I face Alfie’s furious gaze. These two. Harsh and sweet, muscled and lean, they are so well balanced it’s perfection from both worlds. My eyes sting and I can’t help the first tear from falling.
“You shouldn’t growl at her when she’s vulnerable,” Joaquin scolds.
“Then she shouldn’t be taking this too fucking hard. It’s that asshole Matt’s fault, not hers.”
“Sorry,” I croak and try to wipe my tears away. “It’s all too much right now and with the two of you being so sweet to me…I’m so sorry to come into your home and–”
Another growl rumbles from Alfie’s chest before I feel the bed dip and his strong arms surround me. “You’re doing your job, Greta. Even if it involved going undercover. Clearly, we don’t have anything to hide and we’re not pissed. Weston might have said he doesn’t want you anywhere near the clubhouse and he’s right. Inside the clubhouse you’ll get to meet the old ladies, their kids, all of the others while our brotherhood revolves around trust, friendship, and loyalty. And I think you know as well as Joaquin and I do shit between us has shifted. If us sharing a bed wasn’t clear enough, we want you to be ours.”
Hope blooms inside my chest but I try to push it down. “You guys can’t. I’m not–”
I’m prevented from finishing my sentence when Joaquin grabs my jaw and turns me to face him before he takes my lips in a harsh kiss.
He pulls back just as quickly. “Do not finish that sentence. We don’t want grumpy dragging you over my lap so I can hold you while he spanks your sexy, curvy ass.”
A tiny bark of laughter slips over my lips.
“You and I both know the only reason you’re telling her this is because you want to be the one giving her ass your handprint,” Alfie mutters and this time it’s not a tiny bark of laughter but a full-blown one ripping from me.
It must be the whirl of events leading up to this moment, but by laughing with these two there’s also a large weight falling from my shoulders. Maybe it should be as easy as quitting my job and letting these two enter my life. A guaranteed turnaround.
One where I would get to ride a horse again or maybe own a dog or a duck. I’ve always loved animals. But due to my job and the apartment I rent not allowing any pets, it’s been very lonely.
“What thought entered your brain, darlin’?” Alfie questions. “The one making your eyes twinkle with longing.”
I sigh and think about spilling my thoughts. I might as well, I have nothing to hide or lose at this point anyway. “I miss riding horses. Miss animals surrounding me like I used to have when my parents were still alive. And I really, really would like to have a pet duck. The building I live in doesn’t allow any pets. I never had one. And they look so cute and fluffy.”
“For sure as shit you’re going to be riding very soon. I have three horses and am always breaking in new ones or training other quarter horses we breed and sell. The ducks, though? We don’t have a pond. Maybe Joaquin can pick up a puppy for us, or a stray in need of a home. He’s been nagging me to get us a dog. Those things are cute and fluffy enough for you too, right?”
“They are cute and fluffy,” Joaquin says with a hint of laughter in his voice. “But like Alfie says, we don’t have a pond. Maybe we could let him swim in a large tub, until we have a–”
“No fucking ducklings. Get a damn dog. One of those large breeds and not the kind we need to carry either. If we leave it to you, I bet we’ll end up with one we need to hold like a second handbag or something,” Alfie grumbles.
Joaquin huffs and I can’t help but smile. These two are so different and yet they fit perfectly together. I should be thankful they open their arms to embrace me. They don’t judge why I came into their lives or about my past.