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“Consider it payback for what you are doing for Jamie right now, Ghost. I don’t like not being in the loop, but I understand it.” I give him a chin lift and get one in return. “How are they doing? We are all so worried about Jamie, no one seems to think to ask about Mateo.”

“He’s doing good. I think they both like where they are, to be honest.” Ghost gives me a grin.

“Well, wherever it is, I hope Jamie doesn’t get too attached. I’d like her back you know, when this is all over.” Not knowing where she is, I can’t even say I’d join her, though of course, I would.

“She won’t be staying there, have no fear of that. It’s a novelty at the moment, but I can see it wearing off after a few days.” I wish I knew more, but I don’t press the issue.

“You make it all sound very intriguing, I’ll say that. Maybe I should get myself into a position where you have to put me there.”

“Nah. You can look after yourself, I’m sure.” Ghost nods and then leaves. I’m surprised that he hasn’t stormed Bandit’s room, so Pres must have said something convincing him to let Pres deal with him.

Pres spent some time with Bandit in his room. He hasn’t divulged anything he found out yet, but he didn’t look happy when he left there. He’s called Church for tonight, so there must be something coming.

Needing a coffee, and realizing I never had one earlier, I head for the kitchen again. Entering the kitchen, I see Anya bent over, emptying the dishwasher.

“Hi there, Anya. You look busy.” She looks at me over her shoulder without standing.

“My, my, haven’t we changed, Fury? A few weeks ago, you would’ve appreciated me more being in this position than just complimenting me being busy. I would have at least got my ass slapped.” She raises her eyebrows, and I blush. I can feel the heat in my cheeks, and that makes me blush even harder.

“Don’t worry, Fury. I’m just yanking your chain. I never understood what you saw in Floss though when you could have had me, Julia or Pattie.”

“You missed Mella from that.” I wonder why she didn’t say Mella, but I know that Mella is okay, just not my type.

“I don’t ever see you as a Mella kinda guy. Too much plastic for you. Now, Pattie and you I could have seen working, in a different scenario, obviously. She would have made a good match for you.”

“You matchmake for all the guys, or just me?” I ask as I remember I’m here for coffee and grab a cup.

“Only for the guys I like and who treat me right.”

Now that comment surprises me. So much so that I have to press further.

“What do you mean, Anya? Are some of the guys too rough or disrespectful?”

“No, there’s no one in the club that hurts us. I don’t think any of us would tolerate that. It’s just the way some of them are after the fact, if you get what I mean. I know we’re here to satisfy one thing, and we all know and understand that. It’s just that a couple of the guys are ‘less caring of our feelings,’ shall we say? Most treat us as women, but there’s a couple that see us as cum dumpsters. I know we are, but that can be a little hard to swallow on occasion. Pardon the pun there.”

She makes light of it, but I can see that it’s a bit of a barb under her skin. I think I may just throw something out to the brothers after we’ve dealt with everything else at Church.

Pattie walks in and I look at her differently after being matched with her. She could be Jamie’s sister, in fact. She’s not her double and certainly not as all-round attractive, but I could imagine her as a sister.

“Hi, Fury. Have I grown another head or something? You don’t normally look at me for so long. I rarely get a second glance.” Pattie tilts her head to one side and gives me a smile.

“No, not at all. I didn’t realize I was staring. Anya has just put something into a different perspective for me, that's all. Actually, you look good.” I blush again, and both Anya and Pattie have a giggle at my expense.

“So, what has Anya had to say that has you appreciating my assets more?” Pattie asks.

Before I have to get into that, which I would like to avoid, my cell rings and I excuse myself, not without a sigh of relief. Checking who’s calling as I retreat, yes retreat, to the rec room, I see it’s Shawn.

“You better have something for me, Shawn, and not just a damn weather report.”

“Are you sitting down, Fury?”

“I don’t need to sit down. Just tell me what you have.”

“You’d be better sitting down for this, but here goes nothing. It’s your father.”

“What? What are you talking about? My father's dead. He was a serious alcoholic.”

“Well, I don’t know who told you that, but he is most definitely alive, and he’s out for revenge.” Shawn wouldn’t be wrong about something like this, but I’m having great difficulty processing this news.