Chapter 5 #2
I bite my lip, realizing belatedly that I might have hurt his feelings. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…”
He groans before pulling me away from Ambros to hug me. “Ignore me. I’m being a dumbass. I just worry.”
I look up at him and smile. “How could I be mad about you loving my girl? You can come with us to pick her up if you want. We’re going early to wait because I’m a basket case.”
“I don’t want to intrude.”
G laughs. “Seriously? You just gave her attitude for not calling you to take them this morning, and now she’s offering for you to go with them to pick her up, you’re unsure?”
“I didn’t give her attitude.” He looks at me, worried. I pinch my fingers to show him, maybe just a little bit, making him huff out a laugh.
“So you want to come or not?” I take a step back as he looks at G.
“Hold down the fort for me.”
G looks around the room before rolling his eyes. “I’ll try to keep shenanigans to a minimum.”
“You after the truck keys?” Havoc asks Ambros without taking his eyes off me.
“Yeah. Can’t pick Star up on my bike.”
“They’re in my office on my desk.”
Ambros looks at me, and I realize he’s doing it because he told me he wouldn’t leave me.
“Ambros,” Havoc snaps at him, but Ambros doesn’t look away from me.
“I’ll be okay here with Havoc,” I tell him softly.
“You sure?”
“She said she was fine,” Havoc growls.
“All due respect, Havoc, I made Citi a promise. So until I get the okay from her, I’m not leaving.”
Havoc snarls, but G grabs his arm as I move closer to Ambros.
“It’s pretty quiet in here, and Havoc will look after me.”
“Okay, angel, be right back.”
He heads off before I turn and glare at Havoc. “Don’t be mean to him. He’s trying to make me feel safe. Would you rather I didn’t come at all?”
He blinks in surprise, probably because I never raise my voice to him. Usually.
“I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s me reading too much into shit. You know you’re safe with me, right?”
“I know. You think I’d trust you with my daughter if I didn’t?”
“No, of course not.”
“Then that’s your answer. Ambros promised he wouldn’t leave me because we didn’t know how busy it would be when we got here, or if it would be too much. I trust him to get me out and do what’s best for me.”
“Fine, I was an ass. You can just say it.”
“You’re an ass.”
G grins, shaking his head. “Looks like it’s not just the one sister that has you wrapped around her finger.”
“I adore my old lady, but it does seem I have a soft spot for the Dillion ladies. Star especially. I’m her favorite uncle, you know?”
G looks at me. “He’s her only uncle, right?”
“Only one that matters,” I confirm, making G wince. I pretend not to notice. I don’t know if Jasper had a family, but if he did, they can stay the fuck away from me and Star.
Ambros comes back out, keys in hand, and looks me up and down. “You good?”
I nod and slip my hand into his when he offers it to me.
“Let’s go. Havoc, you wanna drive?”
He nods and holds out his hands for the keys, which Ambros tosses his way. The three of us walk down the path back to the warehouse in silence until Havoc breaks it.
“We need to get you a car.”
“Me? I can’t drive, Havoc.”
“So I’ll teach you.”
I look at him. “You want to teach me to drive?”
“I want you never to feel trapped again, and having a car will help with that.”
“I can see why my sister loves you.”
He preens at that, but Ambros just snorts. “Don’t think you need to make his head any bigger than it already is.”
I elbow Ambros in the stomach, but the man is like a fucking machine. It hurts me more than him.
“Okay, I’m game. I’m not sure how quickly I’ll pick it up, but I want to try.”
“We’ll set aside some time to do it. Maybe when Star is at school? Keep your mind off her not being there.”
I sigh. “Insightful bastard,” I mumble, making them both laugh.
“While we’re on the subject of things Citi wants to do, I’m going to teach her how to fight. Made me think on the way over here, though, if any of the other women might want a few lessons. Amity could help me out if she wanted to.”
“That’s not a bad idea, actually. When shit went down with Driller and Nevaeh, I know she felt helpless. I never want her to feel that way again. As much as I want to protect her from everything, I know I can’t always be there to do it.”
“Alright. Find out if they’re interested. And if so, when would be the best time for a class. I’ll start with Citi while we get things worked out.”
We walk through the warehouse to where the truck is parked. I wait as the alarm beeps and the lock pops, then climb into the back.
“I can sit in the back, Citi,” Ambros offers, but I shake my head.
“Your legs are as long as my whole body,” I tease. “I’m fine back here, I promise.”
They both hand me their cuts, which I lay on the seat beside me. I lean back and tune them out when they start talking. We stop at the gate and wait for the prospect to open it. I watch him hold on to it as we pass through. He spots me looking and salutes me, making me smile.
I watch the world pass by, not willing to take any of it for granted, not really paying attention to anything until I hear them mention a bomb.
Not wanting them to clue in to me listening, I keep my eyes focused on the view, but it’s hard to pick up everything they’re saying with them talking so quietly.
“What are you whispering about over there?” I eventually give in and ask.
“Club business,” Havoc answers automatically.
“Right.” I sigh and go back to ignoring them. I’d been warned about the whole club business thing, but I didn’t think about how annoying it would be, though. Surely I must have heard wrong. If there were a bomb threat, they’d say something, even if it was just to keep us all safe.
Right?