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“Oh, yes, you can,” Layla argued.
“Freakingbrilliant,” Gabby gushed.
“No way,” I spoke over the gush.
“The way you write it, with your passion, it’s not just an academic publication,” Layla said. “It’s a bestseller.”
“Holy. Shit. Yes.” Gabby practically danced a jig in her seat.
I swung a chip through the air, “Let’s just say I was willing to approach, which I amnot,” I glared at both of them. “They won’t let me in. I’m not a member. Or an old lady. Those bastards close ranks.Tight.”
“They have to let you in,” Layla said quietly, her green eyes full of emotion.
“Oh, no. I’m not doing it.”
Gabby’s eyes went back and forth between us. “Okay, what’s going on here? What do I not know?”
Layla didn’t draw a breath before she launched in. “Ten years ago, one of the Dragons was shot in a street chase and ended up on Jenna’s doorstep. She saved his life.”
Gabby’s eyes went wide, “So it’s like an honor code? He’s got to help you.”
Layla threw Gabby a grin, “Something like that.”
I fumed at Layla.
She toasted me with her glass.
“I’m not asking Talon,” I said.
Layla shrugged. “Find out which one’s president. Show him that bullet. He’ll handle Talon for you.”
“You mean that necklace?” Gabby went on. “How have I never heard this story? I thought it was some cool artsy thing you bought.”
“Talon left me the bullet I dug out of his leg. A marker, he called it. Means he owes me, no matter what I ask or when I ask it. Whole thing happened before you moved here, and, trust me, it was not one of my finer moments,” I admitted.
“Talon kind of inspired her divorce,” Layla added.
“You hooked up?” Gabby’s eyes went wide.
“No,” I said.
At the same time Layla went, “Yes.”
Gabby looked back and forth. “So which is it?”
“No, back then. Yes, recently,” I said. “As in a few weeks ago. Again, not one of my finer moments.”
“What happened?” Gabby asked, mowing through chips and salsa like her life depended on it.
“Hottest sex I’ve ever had in my life with a man who has the body of a Greek god and resoundingly didnotwant a repeat of the performance. In a nutshell,” I said, hating the blush that I felt heat my cheeks.
It wasn’t so much embarrassment. I mean, what woman my age hasn’t had a one night stand, whether she meant to or not. It was the humiliation that it meant a hell of a lot more to me than it did to him.
I’d pinned life-changing decisions on this man’s influence.
He pinned me against the back of my car and then walked away.
And that stung in a huge way.
