Chapter 7 #2
“My brothers have proved in the time you’ve been here that they respect my set boundaries, so, as a compromise, I’ll sort you out a room in the clubhouse.”
“But…” I try again, but he cuts me off instantly.
“Chasm keeps his room in pretty good shape. I’ll ask him to move to one of the rutting rooms so you can take his. It’s between Hammer and Junk’s room so they will be able to keep a check on you at night. Quarter and Ink can be on day duty.”
“I barely know these guys, Garth.”
“You don’t need to know them anymore than you already do.
They’ll be there to protect you, not to have tea parties with petit fucking fours.
” He sniggers. “This is the best I can offer, sis, because one thing’s for sure.
Other than work and the odd visit to your friend, which I might add, not fucking happy about because it’s risky as shit, you are not to leave the clubhouse. That’s the deal. Take it or leave it.”
“It’s not like I have much of an option. Deal.” Although limited, putting distance between me and Royal is a good thing. Isn’t it?
Then why do I feel bereaved?
Royal
It’s nearly two in the morning. So, where the fuck is Giorgia?
When I’d hunted down Grinder to find out what the fuck he was playing at letting Gio leave the premises, I was fucking seething and ready to blow.
But once he’d explained that she’d gone to visit a friend and not hit the city to party, Ink and Forger with her, then I’d calmed down somewhat, but was still as twitchy as a cat with fleas.
The neat Bullet bourbon that I’d been knocking back for the first two hours of her absence had done nothing to suppress my uneasiness.
The surrounding conversation was nothing but white noise.
When Boulder tapped me on the shoulder to get my attention, I’d snapped back at him so viciously.
I realized that if I didn’t get away from the prying eyes of my brothers, it would only be a matter of time before they figured out why or, should I say, who it was that was causing me to act like I had a stick up my ass.
Since then, I’d stomped my way around the apartment to a point where the carpet pile had a noticeable walkway embedded into it.
Finally, I hear the click of the door lock disengaging, and the door sweeps open. What I don’t expect is to see Grinder, brow creased, glaring and coming right at me. It’s when he gets closer that I hear the door closing behind him, and catch sight of Giorgia as she steps into the room.
“Surprised you’re still up.” Grinder stands in front of me waiting for a response.
“I sleep on the couch,” I counter. “There’s not much point in trying until Gio’s gone to bed.”
“Good point,” he nods back at me. “Sis, time for bed. We’ll talk more in the morning.”
I half expect Gio to argue with her brother, as I know she hates being told what to do, but she sheepishly slips past us both and walks towards the bedroom. My mind is telling me that I shouldn’t follow her movements, but my stupid heart has me craning my neck so I can watch her every move.
“Night,” she mumbles as if regretful. Fuck! Has she told Grinder about our close encounter? Damn-it. Who knew that simply watching the Blues Brothers movie with Gio could potentially put an end to my friendship, and shatter the respect I’d managed to gain as the new president?
Grinder’s obviously not happy, but if it were that, then I would have expected to have met his fists rather than his scowling face.
“What’s going on?” I ask him now that Gio is safely behind a closed door.
“You tell me.”
“Tell you what?” I snigger. Until I know exactly where this is going, I’m not owning up to anything. “At least give us a clue, man. What’s gotten you pissed.”
“My sister,” he starts. “She wants to move out.”
“The hell she is,” I holler. “It’s not safe for her to be out there.”
“I know that.” He walks over to the kitchen, opens the refrigerator and takes out a couple of beers.
“She’s not happy staying here with you. Cleary, you’re not either.
For some reason, you two clash. More than we do as siblings.
” He hands me one of the bottles before taking a long pull from the other.
“You can’t deny that her being here is a distraction. ”
“Are you trying to insinuate…” Shit, he knows that I want her.
“No, no, nothing like that. It’s just… I should never have put you in this position.” Fuck, he’s blaming himself? “You’re the fucking president of this club and Jesus, babysitting my sister, whatever the circumstances are, is not in your job description. Well above your paygrade, brother.”
“Her safety is paramount. Whatever needs to be done. Goes without saying.”
“Yeah, but the lion’s share doesn’t need to be on your shoulders.
So, if you’re in agreement, I’ll ask Chasm to move into one of the other rooms, so Gio can have use of his.
” He goes on to tell me that club brothers will also be the ones to watch her.
“That will then give you back your privacy and free up your time to get back to club business.”
“Absolutely fucking not.”