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“We won’t,” I hissed, feeling a little on the defense. “Will you and Ava be okay? I imagine Ire won’t let her work if I’m not around.”
“You’d be correct about that. Personally, I prefer having someone here for protection too.”
I tilted my head in surprise. “Why’s that?”
“You know, in case, in case Abe comes around harassing me.” Usually, Karma had perfect, snappy comebacks. I had never heard her stutter before or show any kind of vulnerability.
“Is there something I should know about?” My Spidey-Senses alerted me to danger, but it didn’t make sense. Perhaps my natural instincts were on the fritz.
She turned her back to me like she was looking for something. “Nope. As for taking care of the parlor, I’ve got it covered.” She tapped the counter. “I need to go. The babysitter has a school thing tonight.”
“Go. I’ll close up.”
“Thanks.”
After Karma left, I absorbed the quiet for a few minutes. The walls displayed several years’ worth of my designs. I was proud of my work and the reputation I’d built.
I’d miss this place, but I was confident Karma could take care of it while I was gone. She knew the ins and outs of the shop as well as me. Hell, she was a better manager and more organized.
I locked up, set the alarms, and headed home to the compound.
On the open country road, Bastion Township resembled my hometown in Indiana. I was surrounded by all the things that gave me comfort: farms and livestock, cornfields, and grain silos. I guessed it was why I decided to settle here, to feel like I was home even though I wasn’t.
Maddox approached my bike at the gate. “Yo, Storm wants to see you.”
“Yeah, okay.” I considered him a moment, then drove toward the clubhouse. Eve’s sons were good men, like their father. I hoped they’d give Eve their blessing to be with me. It would make her happy. Her happiness was mine. I wanted to see the sparkle she had in her eyes after we left the hotel every single day.
I put on my poker face and prepared myself to appear uninterested in Eve. It wouldn’t be easy. Every nerve ending on my body tingled when we were in the same room. She drew me to her like a moth to a flame, so effortlessly and innocently. I knew she hadn’t meant for me to fall in love with her. For the longest time, she’d treated me with kindness like the other men, then our dynamic changed.
There was activity in the bar and laughter coming from the kitchen as I stalked to prez’s office. I didn’t see or hear Eve, probably a good thing.
I tapped my knuckle on the door to get Storm’s attention.
One look, and I knew I was about to get an ass chewing.
“Shut the door and take a seat.” He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest.
I obeyed like a good boy. Rocking the boat could be detrimental to my happiness with Eve.
“First, I want to know where in the hell you’ve been? And don’t go thinking you can lie. I know you were at the Soldiers clubhouse.”
Fuck, this was worse than I thought.
“Second, where the fuck do you get off telling Deek you’ll help him and then bolting?” Storm slammed his hand on the desk. “I should beat your mother-fuckin’-ass!”
Okay, now it was worse than I thought. Lying to the prez was unforgivable. Everyone in the club knew once his trust was lost, we’d never get it back. But could I tell him about Eve and me without her permission? I didn’t want to betray either of them.
“Goddammit, speak!” he yelled.
“Grizz texted me that Sugar was at the Soldier’s club so I went to make sure she was okay.”Keep it vague, man.
“Why? They’re our allies.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
“I don’t know.”
