Chapter 24
“You like hangin’ around here, don’t ya?” Raze kisses me when he and all the other brothers pile out from the meeting they’ve just had.
“I just like being close to you.” I smile back at him, sounding as dreamy as I am ridiculous. “And who else is gonna kick James’ ass at pool?” I shrug.
“Sonny’s got shit to do.” Raze points out snatching the cue off him and gesturing his head toward the bar.
“How did the meeting go?” I take my shot, even though he’s stopped playing. There’s no harm in me getting some practice.
“Good, everyone seems much more positive, than they were a few weeks ago,” he tells me under his breath, leaning over the table and taking James’ shot for him. He makes the whole action look incredibly sexy and of course pockets the ball. He doesn’t even look smug about it when he straightens himself back up.
“Yeah well, there's always room for improvement.” I glance my eyes over to the girls who are still acting like complete bitches toward me.
“I told you, if you want ‘em gone just say the word,” he offers.
“And cock block your entire club?” I tip my head at him. “You’ve just got the morale up around here. I’ll just deal with it,” I assure him.
“Sweetheart, you're the president's old lady, you don’t deal with shit. You own it.” He lifts up my chin with the crook of his finger. “There’s plenty of women out there who can entertain these men, those girls are only still here because you allow ‘em to be. Remember that.” He kisses my nose.
“I gotta grab a word with Ruckus and Dev.” He tells me when he notices them taking a seat at the bar, and passing me his cue he heads over.
“Wanna play?” I turn around and see Wrath standing behind me, he’s got his long hair tied up today, and when he takes the cue that Raze just handed over I study the tattoos on his huge, strong arms.
“Sure.” I shrug, starting to collect all the balls and rack them up.
“They’re talkin’ about me, ya know.” He nods his head toward Raze and the other two.
“How can you be sure?” I question him.
“Because Raze is trying to protect me, despite the fact he acts like he hates me.”
“Raze doesn't hate you.” I shake my head.
“Well, he should.” Wrath leans down to make the break.
“So, what’s he protecting you from?” I ask curiously.
“There’s an underground fight happening in a few weeks. I put myself forward for it. Raze doesn’t think I can beat the guy, which is ironic since he’s the one who taught me how to fight.”
“And can you…beat the guy?” I check.
“The way I’ve been feeling lately, I could beat anyone.”
Ruckus looks in our direction and I can tell by the way he nods his head at what Raze is saying that Wrath’s right, they are talking about him.
“Raze thinks I’m unhinged, and he’s probably right. But that’s exactly why I’m the guy for the job.”
“And don’t you think you should be talking to him about this instead of me?” I struggle to see what this is leading to.
“Who do you think influences Raze more, you or Ruckus?” He shows me a handsome grin and I shake my head and laugh.
“I’d think it would be his Vice President,” I point out looking down at his patch to remind him of the position he holds, and the smile drops off his face. He’s about to say something when the club door opens and the woman who struts through it earns everyone’s attention. She’s wearing a tailored pant suit, some killer heels and looks out of place as she walks past us and heads straight for the bar toward Raze.
Every person here is staring at her and Ruckus almost spits his beer across the room when he looks over his shoulder and clearly recognizes who she is. Raze looks equally as shocked to see her and I can’t hear what she says to him, but he nods his head, and places down his beer before taking her into his office.
“Holy shit.” Wrath places his cue on the table and glances over to Ruckus once the door closes.
“Was that who I think it was?” Ruckus marches over, looking at the door with the same dumbfounded look on his face.
“It sure fuckin’ was.” The way Wrath curls his lip shows that she’s not a welcomed visitor
“Who is she?” I ask, very fucking aware that right now she’s in my boyfriend’s office alone with him.
“She’s the one that broke Raze’s heart,” Ruckus informs me before sliding his hand over his face. “And the reason he left town all those years ago.”
I think back to the time when he told me he’d never had his heart broken, I remember how cagey he was for the whole of that conversation and now it seems, he was lying to me.
“Am I seeing things?” Polly’s the next to come over and stare at the door that separates us from them.
“Nope.” Wrath takes a long deep breath that makes me wonder why her being here is such a big deal.
“So that woman who just went in there?—”
“Is the whole reason Raze left here in the first place.” Polly shakes her head sadly, confirming what Ruckus just told me, before she makes her way back over to the bar.
Suddenly the hurt inside me turns to red-hot anger, and I feel like an exhibit at the zoo when word starts spreading around and everyone's eyes focus on me. I hate that he lied, and wonder why he felt like he had to. Maybe he still has feelings for the beautiful woman he just took into his office.
“You okay?” Wrath reaches out to me and I quickly pull away.
“I’m fine, I just need to check on Reggie.” I try not to run as I make my way to the door, but I leave as fast I can to escape any more humiliation.