Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
QUAKE
“Do you forgive me yet?” I asked Tech a week later, sliding into the seat beside him in the room we called church.
“Brother, if I hadn’t seen my sister smilin’ in the common room, it’d be a different story right now.”
“Still, I am fuckin’ sorry it was behind your back.”
His jaw clenched. “Found out a while ago and was ready to cut you from my life, but someone had me seein’ a different side. She didn’t want to commit, right?”
I shook my head.
“Did she ask you to keep things quiet?”
I nodded.
“I get it. Though, no doubt I’ll still want to punch you whenever I think about you keepin’ this from me.”
Snorting, I tipped my chin up. “I’ll take it. It was a shit thing to do with the closest brother I have in the club.”
“You dick. Don’t say the right thing. Let me stay mad for a while longer.”
Hell. Both of the Sager siblings couldn’t handle nice words.
Rolling my eyes, I said, “I’ll stop bein’ understandin’.”
He glared. “See that you do.”
When Country entered, the door slammed closed, and he took his seat at the head of the table. “Torch, go get Dodge. He should be here for this.” Torch slipped out of the room and was back moments later with Rommy’s dad.
Country nodded towards a vacant chair that leaned against the wall. Not a seat at the table as those chairs were for patched-in members. When Dodge took it, Country said, “As of half an hour ago, the fuckers who trafficked all those people, the Murphy brothers, were assassinated.”
Holy fuck.
That was the best news. As far as we knew, they’d dodged all attempts of obtaining them for questioning from the cops in Ireland.
Someone had found them and ended them.
“This is good, right?” Tech asked. “The ones who were kidnapped can breathe easy. No one else will come after them.”
“Unless whoever snuffed them takes over the traffickin’,” Wreck said.
Shit. There was that.
“Do we know anythin’ more?” I asked.
There was a knock on the door before it opened and Blaze entered.
State cleared his throat and announced, “Blaze received a voice message from Malice, America’s biggest kingpin in the mafia corporation, two hours ago.” State placed an iPad on the table and hit Play.
“Blaze. Your little issue spilled over into my territory when the Murphy brothers caught wind of a certain hacker you know of because she, of fuckin’ course, refused to leave things alone and got on their radar for it.
” Tech tensed beside me. “Since she’s under my care while she works for me, I had to step in.
” He paused. “She’s too valuable to lose.
Months ago, the Sullivan family head in Ireland contacted me to see if I could help annihilate the Murphy brothers so they could take over.
At the time I refused. Until now. I sent Reaper and his team to assist the Sullivans.
By now you would have heard of their demise, and since I had my people help, I made sure I was promised a say in what businesses the Sullivans will continue with of the Murphys.
Trafficking will no longer happen from Ireland.
That business ended today. Tell your biker friends they can stop poking around.
The Sullivans will follow my lead, and I swear that the Diamond MC and their family will be left alone.
For this, I expect your respect when I say that you keep your contact with my hacker to friendship only. No business.” The message ended.
I knew Blaze was connected to Malice. We’d had a meeting about it before Henri and Sawyer got taken. But I didn’t know Tech knew the hacker. His reaction made me think he’d met her.
“Who’s the hacker?” Gun asked.
“A friend,” Blaze said.
“She safe working with Malice?” I asked.
Blaze grunted. “He won’t let anything happen to her.”
“This means no one will come after Rommy or any of the others now?” Dodge asked.
Country nodded. “Looks that way. We’ll keep an eye on the Sullivans, but we can trust that Blaze knows Malice enough to accept what he said to be real.”
Blaze nodded once. “They’re safe.”
We talked for a while longer, and when the meeting ended, I turned to Tech and asked, “You know this hacker?”
“When Blaze was on the phone to her, she slipped into our systems. Made me look like I was a baby who didn’t know how to use my hands.
Seems cool. I’m just a bit pissed I couldn’t keep up with her and kick her out.
I wasn’t sure it was good she was workin’ for Malice, but havin’ him step in to make sure the Murphys don’t get close to her says a lot. ”
I nodded. “He said she was valuable.”
“With the skills she has, I can understand why.”
Brothers started filing out of the room. “You and Blaze seem to have gotten close over the time of huntin’ those ships.”
He smirked. “You jealous?”
Rolling my eyes, I grinned. “Sure am. I miss my bro.” I fluttered my lashes at him. “But seriously, was he the one who helped you see that it wouldn’t be worth killin’ me for being with Eve?”
“Yeah. He talked me down from murderin’ you in your sleep.”
“Then I’m damn grateful you two hang out doin’ your computer stuff.” Standing, I asked, “You comin’ to eat lunch, or do you have to get back to Polished?” His computers were set up at Polished P & P, the escort club, since Henri started working there and Blaze wanted to be close to him.
“I’ll grab some food before I head out.” We walked out into the busy common room. I zeroed in on Eve, who was sitting beside Rommy. They were at a table with Rommy’s parents.
Rommy leaned into Eve as she talked, and Eve watched her with humour in her soft gaze.
“They’ve really gotten close,” Tech commented.
I stopped beside him as we watched them. “Yeah. She’s helped Eve a lot.”
Tech hummed. “Pretty sure Rommy was the one who got Eve to take the chance on somethin’ public with you.”
I grinned when Eve laughed at something Rommy said. “Without Rommy, I don’t think Eve would have admitted anythin’. Eve had been scared and letting things hold her back, but then came Rommy encouragin’ her. Gettin’ Eve to open up and see the possibilities and then takin’ that chance on us.”
“Rommy’s a pretty cool woman.”
“Yeah,” I said, but she was more than cool. There was something special about Rommy.
She was different, but in a way where she was easily accepted and stole a bit of your heart with how sweet and funny she was.
She was honest, curious, and most the time, no one could guess what was going to come out of her mouth.
She cared too much sometimes, worried her differences would offend someone.
Only it never would, not in our club. She was protective, and if something annoyed her, she sorted it right there and then.
Like when Spider had snapped at her about the wheels on his ride, telling her she didn’t know shit.
She proved him wrong when she went on a tantrum about the right wheels for half an hour.
He tried to walk off, but she just followed.
In the end, Spider sent back the wheels he’d ordered and got the ones Rommy had suggested. She was someone who anyone could connect with. She knew a lot and loved to share everything she did know.
I knew her and Eve connected on a different level to Eve’s friendship with Dusty, and I could see how much Rommy cared for Eve.
I could also see the longing in her gaze when Rommy looked at Eve at times.
I only noticed since it was something I’d felt for a fucking long time.
Rommy was into Eve.
I should be jealous. They were close after all, but I couldn’t be.
Not when Rommy had helped Eve in ways no one else had.
“Eve’s never been this affectionate to the other women,” Tech said as Eve leaned her head down to Rommy’s shoulder, and Rommy rested her temple against it. They straightened when Low said something, and Rommy went on another word vomit, which was always cute.
“I’m not even sure if she’s noticed how much they hang off each other. It’s like that when we’re doing anythin’. They gravitate to each other. A brush of their hand or hugging or leaning into each other.”
“You okay with that?”
Why wouldn’t I be? Eve was thriving.
But what happens when Rommy leaves?
Fuck. I wasn’t sure how that was going to be, but we’d work it out.
“Have you seen your sister this happy?”
“Never.”
“I can’t be upset with their connection.”
“I heard Rommy’s bi. What would you do if they have somethin’ more than friendship?”
“Then I’d share Eve because I’d give my woman anythin’ she’s ever wanted. Even if that means Rommy. All I want is for her to be happy and content like she usually is around me and Rommy.”
Tech’s gaze burned at the side of my face. He let out a whistle. “You’ve got it bad.”
Grinning, I clasped him on the shoulder. “So damn bad.”
“Wish you luck, brother.”
“I’ll wish you the same when you find yourself someone who’ll put up with you.”
He snorted. “Not anytime soon, thanks. Now, let’s get some food.”
I tipped my head to the table. “I’m gonna check if they’ve eaten.”
He snorted and went towards the kitchen while I made my way over to the table.
When I placed my hand on each of their shoulders to show I was there, both of them tipped their heads up and smiled brightly at me. My throat closed over.
Christ, I couldn’t deny that they were stunning.
“Hey, I’m grabbin’ some food. You two need anythin’?”
Eve’s smile turned soft. “I’m good, thanks.”
“I’ll take one of Dusty’s raspberry and white-chocolate muffins,” Rommy said, rubbing her belly.
Snorting, I tipped my chin up. “You got it.”
It didn’t take me long to grab a plate of food and Rommy’s request, and I was soon back out at the table, sliding in on Eve’s other side, just as Dodge said, “Kid.”
Rommy had a mouthful, and bits sprayed when she said, “Yeah…? Oops,” she added and picked a bit of chewed muffin off Eve’s arm.
Eve stared down at her arm and then up at Rommy with her nose wrinkled up. “You’re lucky I like you.”
Rommy laughed. “I know.” She faced her father again. “What’s up, old man?”
“We’re gonna start the plan to head home.”
Rommy stilled.
Eve tensed.
Rommy put the muffin down, swallowed thickly, and asked, “Yeah? Um, when?”
“We’ve been here a month, so we’re thinking at the end of next week.”
We’d had only a month with them, yet it felt like a hell of a lot longer.
Low leaned forward. “Girl, no stress on us if you want to stay longer.” Her gaze flicked to Eve and then me before swinging back to her daughter. “It’s completely up to you.”
Shit.
The thought of Rommy leaving put a foul taste in my mouth. It wasn’t just because I knew Eve would miss her, but I’d grown used to having Rommy around, being the bright spark in everyone’s lives in the club.
It’d be weird not hearing her voice or seeing her… seeing her smile or listening to her laugh or chatter.
Eve wasn’t liking the idea either. She’d dropped her gaze to her lap, and she thinned her lips in a tight frown.
Reaching out, I took her hand under the table and squeezed it. When she looked up at me, I released her hand to curl an arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple.
I wanted her to know that I understood this would knock the wind out of her. Rommy had become such an important part in her life. A connection so strong that Rommy leaving would deeply upset her.
Hell, it upset me too.
Rommy picked at her muffin and then glanced at Eve and me. The look in her eyes had me thinking she was whimpering on the inside.
Like a wounded puppy.
But then she pushed it down, and for the first time, I watched as Rommy forced a smile as she said, “I can’t stay away from work forever.
” She faced me and Eve. “One day you’ll both have to come to Australia.
There’s so much I want to show you. Besides where I work, I can take you to the bar Pick and Billy own.
The library that I love. Our home. I still live with Mum and Dad.
I’d been saving to travel first, though.
I’ve done enough of that for a while.” She let out a little laugh.
“At some point I’ll buy myself a home where…
.” She shook her head. “Anyway, I could take you both to Ballarat where you’ll meet Talon and see my brother’s tattoo shop and go to Channa’s bakery. I’d love for you two to meet everyone.”
“You don’t have to rush back, Rom,” Dodge said.
Shaking her head, she shrugged and picked at the muffin. “We’ve probably outstayed our welcome anyway.”
“So, you want us to grab you a ticket?” Low asked.
“Sure.” She nodded.
She didn’t sound sure at all.
Her parents shared a look as Rommy stood. “I’m gonna go grab a hot chocolate. Anyone want one?” When everyone declined, she rushed off to the kitchen.
Everyone looked at the muffin she’d left behind.
Yeah, this was hitting her hard.
I honestly didn’t think she’d even considered going home.
“Our girl has a big heart. She’ll miss you guys like I know you’ll miss her,” Low said.
Eve cleared her throat. “It won’t be the same without her.”
“Then you’ll have to make sure to keep in contact,” Low said. “At least there’s video chat now. And besides, it is a great excuse for a holiday. Australia is an amazing place to visit.”
“We’d like that,” I said.
Eve smiled up at me, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
How the fuck was this going to go?
Rommy leaving didn’t sit well with me at all. My gut felt like lead.
I was determined to make sure we enjoyed the days we had left with Rommy here.