Chapter 17
JOEL
My chopsticks stop halfway to my mouth.
“When I asked you how your day was, that was not what I was expecting you to say.” We’ve been sitting on her bed naked, eating the now cold Chinese food.
I set the dumpling I was about to eat back in its container as Haven keeps eating, as if what she just told me were no big deal.
“It’s not the craziest idea in the world.” Her nonchalant shrugs set all my protective triggers on edge.
“You cannot let your VP get herself sold into sex slavery!” I shout in her face and regret my outburst immediately.
“Wanna try that again?” Her tone is cold, and I see the reason she got her road name.
“Yes.” I swallow hard as she nods.
“What I mean is that it’s risky. If anything goes wrong, it’s on you. Can you live with yourself knowing you signed off on this plan if she dies?” Haven drops her chopsticks and huffs.
“Life has no guarantees, Joel, and Lourdes understands the stakes. It was her idea. She’s the only one in the club who understands the feeling of getting a family member taken. If she wants to try, who am I to tell her no?” Is she insane?
“You’re her President! Your whole job is to safeguard your crew. Vote it down.” She pushes the container of lo mein aside and stands.
“Don’t tell me how to run my club, Cable.” Oh, so now we’re using our road names to hide behind.
FINE.
“Don’t live up to your namesake, Azrael. Or do you enjoy burying your friends’ bodies?” Ah fuck.
There goes my mouth again.
“Want to find out?” She grabs a robe and covers her body as if I’ve lost the privilege of looking at her.
“I didn’t mean that.” She lets out a little humorless laugh.
“Could’ve fooled me. I told you out of courtesy. Not because I was looking for input. The vote was taken tonight, and we’ve decided to go with her plan. We just need to find where the auctions are held.” I sigh and run my hands through my hair.
“Wait, you know something, don’t you?” I nod even though I really wish I could keep this info to myself.
“I might have an in. Rather, Twister does. Let me make some calls and give Loki a few days to think this through. Maybe she’ll come to her senses.” Now Haven really laughs.
“You don’t know Loki.” Fair enough, but I’d like to, and I’m not sure I’ll get that chance if I help the Harlots with this asinine plan.
“I’ll assist, but only if you let us run as your backup.” Haven stops pacing and stares at me.
“Why?” Ah shit.
I need to be really careful how I phrase this.
If it sounds anything at all as if I believe she’s not capable, she’ll run off hot-headed to do this alone.
Plus, I don’t think that at all, but she’ll never trust me again with inside knowledge of her club doings, and I want her to be able to come to me with whatever she needs.
“I just want to guard your six. You’re my ol’ lady, and you might not want to admit it, but I do love your impulsive ass, so please let me watch out for it.” She opens her mouth but then snaps it shut tight.
“Ok.” That’s it?
No argument? No two-hour lecture that a woman can do anything and more than men can do? I tilt my head and look at her closely.
“Are you planning something you aren’t telling me?” She smiles, and it does not warm my heart.
If anything, it scares the shit out of me.
“Sure am, but it’s got nothing to do with the plan Loki has, so relax.” Oh sure!
I’m going to have to sleep with one eye open and my gun under the pillow.
Note to self, do not eat anything she cooks, like ever.
“I’m going to shower. Can you get Twister on the phone and call in that favor? I’m scared that if I don’t move on this fast, Loki might take matters into her own hands. For this to work, we can’t lose track of her.” I nod and blow out a breath as I reach for my phone.
“Agreed. Can I join you? This shouldn’t take long.” I search for his number as I wait for her to answer.
“Um, yes. Duh,” She winks at me before disappearing into the bathroom.
“Yo Prez, what’s up?” He sounds happy, and I’m about to ask him to call his, I don’t even know what.
“I need a meeting with Helena.” Silence falls, followed by every curse in the English and Italian languages.
“Joel, I don’t know if I can do that.” My real name trips me up.
“This is personal for you. I get that, but I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t extremely important. So think hard when I ask you this. Will you willingly put this club or the Harlots in danger?” I already know the answer, but I need to hear him say it.
How far gone for this woman is he?
“FUCK!” I hear something break on his end.
“Okay.” The phone goes dead, and I think about calling him back.
Instead, I switch to text.
Have her come to us. Tonight, 9 pm.
If she says no?
Fucking pursued her.
…
I watch the three little dots flash for a full minute before I put my phone down and go join Haven in the shower.
An hour later, after fucking her again up against the shower wall, I find the text he was typing and frown, expecting to see him cursing me out.
Heading to her building now.
Church after.
No response, and my stomach drops. Did I just send my VP into hell without any water? I dial Tank, and he answers on the second ring.
“What can I do for you, Prez?” I run my hand through my wet hair.
“Find out what you can about Twister and Helena’s relationship. I need to know if she’ll hurt him.” Tank chuckles at my request.
“Hell, Prez, he’s in love with her. Always has been. Of course, she’s gonna hurt him. Love fucking always does.” I hang up on him, laughing and frowning.
“Everything alright?” I look up at Haven and shake my head.
“Not even a little.”