“They ain’t people. They’re family,” Tony pointed out. “You know most of them.”
“I do. But until they’re cleared by CDR, they don’t come in here and you do your own clearing up.”
Kit held his breath, waiting for his brother to explode. Tony hated anyone giving him orders, particularly members of the club. Red was going to get a mouthful of Tony Monroe and then maybe this whole farce could be over and done.
Chapter Five
RED
Tony scowled at Red.Red knew that look. It promised a world of trouble. Tony had a temper. Red had seen him almost kill a man for contradicting him. Once upon a lifetime ago that look would have frightened Red and made him back down, but now it was just water off a tired bodyguard’s back. This was his job. Years of dealing with awkward clients had taught him one thing. They listened, or they died. Tony was no different. Nor was Kit. They’d both do well to remember it.
“This is my club,” Tony pointed out, his tone level and dangerous. “My rules.”
Red shrugged. “Then I’m outta here, and you deal with the consequences.”
Tony’s eyes narrowed. “You can’t do that. I employed you to protect my brother.”
“I can do what I think is right. CDR doesn’t expect me to put myself in danger for stupid clients.”
That wasn’t the most diplomatic way to say shut the fuck up, but from Tony’s scowl, he received the message.
“Iknowall these women,” Tony said.
“Youthinkyou do.”
Red had seen first-hand the danger of a client ignoring Red’s rules and trusting a longtime friend, also a woman. His client was lucky to still be topside instead of six feet under.
Tony’s scowl deepened and the tension in the kitchen stretched to breaking point as Kit pushed back his chair and shimmied over to the dishwasher.
Dear God, did the kid know what effect he was having on Red’s libido with that wiggle of his hips? Could he demand Kit change into normal clothes, ones that didn’t show every inch of his toned body? Red was ready to throw him over his lap and spank his taut butt. The thing was, he was damned sure they’d both enjoy it—too much.
Kit placed his plate with the others and added his knife and fork, a sideways glance to Red to make sure he noticed. Red gave him a quick nod of approval and Kit’s eyes grew heated. Then he leaned against the counter next to Red, too close to him.
Red counted in his head.
One…he’s a client.
Two…he’s too young.
Three…Tony would kill you.
Four… Red sighed. Four and Red wasn’t ready to be his Daddy. His heart couldn’t take the loss when it all went belly up as he knew it would. It always did in Red’s world.
“Red’s right, Tony.”
Red blinked, his thoughts interrupted by Kit’s words.
“Don’t you start,” Tony snapped. “This has got nothing to do with you.”
Kit stabbed a finger at Tony, his scowl mirroring his brother’s. “Like hell it hasn’t. You were the one who screwed up, not me. I’m still not clear what you did. Anyway, do you want to put the old ladies in danger by coming here? Are you gonnaexplain to your men that you ignored an order to keep their women safe?”
Tony visibly deflated.
Red wasn’t sure what he was more surprised about. Kit standing up for him or Tony backing down. Maybe it was time he intervened.
“This is how we play it,” Red said, voice steady but firm. “The club stays closed to anyone except you two until we catch the bastards threatening Kit. And Kit—” he gave the boy a look that was half warning, half plea for sanity—“you stay here. I mean it.”
Kit’s expression, which had been politely attentive, shifted fast. His brows lifted, his mouth curving into that too-sweet, too-knowing smile that always meant trouble.
