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“Are you offering to marry me, Brick?”
He scoffs. “Fuck no,” he says a little too quickly. My eyes widen, and he realises his mistake. “I mean, just cos I don’t do that sort of shit, dating and stuff,” he finishes, shuddering.
“Relax, I don’t do that shit either,” I say. “Why do men assume all women want to marry and have kids? You’re not the only one who likes to play the field.”
“Oh, right, well, if you’re on the market for a hook-up, I’m down with that,” he says, grinning. I roll my eyes as Vinn slaps Brick on the back.
“Are you hitting on my bar staff?” he asks coolly.
“She was hitting on me,” Brick protests, and Vinn’s eyes fix on me.
“That’s not true,” I mutter, shaking my head. “Telling you I like hook-ups over relationships doesn’t mean I want to hook up with you,” I add.
“I’ll drop Raven home,” says Vinn. “Get yourself off,” he tells Brick, “literally.”
Brick looks at me to confirm it’s okay, and I nod. What’s the point in arguing when Vinn will only cause a scene? He waits for Brick to leave before taking his seat, and I go back to wiping down the bar top. “Corvo, are you going to be mad at me forever?”
“I’m not mad.”
He smiles, pushing to stand. “Good. Get your things, the other staff can clean up.”
I glance around, hoping no staff overheard. “My shift doesn’t end for ten minutes,” I point out.
“Don’t make me ask twice,” he says firmly, heading towards his office. I huff and roll my eyes again. “And don’t fucking roll your eyes at me, Corvo,” he shouts over his shoulder. How the fuck does he do that?
* * *
I remain silent on the car ride home. I can tell it’s annoying Vinn by the way his fingers tap impatiently on his knee. “I didn’t keep it a secret,” he mutters, pushing a button next to him so the black glass screen goes up between us and his driver, Gerry.
“I’m really not bothered about it, Vinn,” I lie. “Honestly, I’m fine about the whole thing.”
“Nothing has to change,” he says, sighing heavily.
My eyes bug out of my head as I stare out of the window. “You know what? I really need some air. Stop the car here and I’ll walk the rest of the way.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Stop the car,” I repeat, glaring at him. I hate being bossed around, and I’ve put up with it from this Italian prick for the last four months.
“I can’t let you walk, Corvo. Riggs will have my nuts.”
“My name is Raven!” I suddenly scream, and he winces. I bang on the dividing glass. “Stop the damn car!”
Vinn lowers the screen. “Keep driving. She’s lost her fucking mind.” I fold my arms across my chest and lean back in the seat, staring out the window. I refuse to speak another word to this arse.
As soon as the car comes to a stop outside of the clubhouse, I get out. Vinn likes to do the gentlemanly thing and open the door, but I’m so over that bullshit. Music blares out from the club. It’s almost two in the morning, I really don’t feel like partying, but the second I enter, Chains thrusts a bottle of beer into my hand.
“Here she is,” he slurs. It’s unusual for the guys to be partying this late. Since most have settled down and had kids, the club’s heavy partying days are over. “This is Raven,” he announces, turning to the side slightly to reveal two new faces. I hold in the gasp threatening to leap from my throat. “Raven, this is Mac and Ace. Raven is practically one of us,” says Chains proudly as I smile awkwardly. I’ve worked a fifteen-hour day, so I look and feel like shit. “These guys are staying with us. They’re from Nottingham, like Storm.”
Mac gives a lopsided grin, and I swallow hard. Fuck, he’s gorgeous. Most of the guys around here are, but he’s everything I’d want in a man if I was to create my perfect match. Suddenly, I feel Vinn behind me. “You’d better get some sleep, Corvo. I need you in the office bright and early.”
“I’m taking a day off,” I announce, and he scowls. “I’ve not had a day off since . . .” I pause to remember, then shrug. “Since I fucking came here.”
“Then let’s do shots,” says Chains with a grin. “This girl can drink shots better than anyone I know,” he goes on to tell the new guys as he heads to the bar. Vinn grabs my wrist, pulling me to him.
“I get you want to punish me, but don’t do anything to jeopardize what we have,” he hisses into my ear. “I won’t forgive easily.” Snatching my wrist away, I follow the guys to the bar. Fuck him. Hypocrite.
MAC
