Swerve Chapter 15 #4
“Loving you! You’re delusional. She doesn’t love you, and you don’t love her. You’ve known each other for two months. Don’t be ridiculous. Call it what it is. You’re in lust and fucking.” He directed the last to her.
“Stop there before you piss me off more than you are. You want to get ugly, direct it at me, not her. You have no clue what we feel. I can assure you, it’s love, not fucking,” I barked.
Boone paced the small bedroom. There weren’t more than five steps before he had to turn around since we blocked the access to the bathroom.
He was shaking his head and mumbling to himself.
Electra stepped forward, but I snagged her arm and shook my head.
Boone needed time to process. Nothing would be accomplished by us yelling and flinging accusations at each other.
He was at it for a good five or six minutes before he halted and faced us.
“Electra, talk to me. I’m lost. What do you feel for him, and what can he do to protect you that I can’t?”
I let go of her arm. She moved closer to him. I felt that he wouldn’t hurt her, but I was on alert just in case. Sometimes, intense emotions can overwhelm someone, leading them to do things they would never usually do.
“Rho, I’m sorry that you’re feeling lost. You asked what I feel for Swerve.
As crazy as it may sound to you, I’m in love with him, and it’s growing deeper.
He feels the same. As for what he can do to protect me, he hasn’t gotten into that, but he’s confident his club and some friends can.
I won’t have to change my identity. As for work, yes, I know they have to check on him.
As Swerve said, there’s nothing there that wasn’t prior. ”
“Ellie, you should take time and think this through. You’re making a heat-of-the-moment decision. You never mentioned a word about being attracted to him to me. In fact, you denied it.”
“Rho, I have thought about him and my situation a lot. I just thought it was hopeless. And I didn’t tell you because, for one reason. I knew how you’d take it. Secondly, you’re my boss, and I wasn’t up for the hassle. It was hard enough working with him and hiding my feelings,” she confessed.
“Swerve, she’s all I have left of my family.
She’s my sister, and I’ll do anything not to lose her like I did Selah and my parents.
I promised Dad before he died that I’d make sure Ellie was always safe, and she’d end up happy and loved.
Are you saying shit just to get in her pants? ” Boone asked me point-blank.
I maintained eye contact as I answered him.
“Rhodes, I am not playing her. I mean every word. She’s the woman I love, and I want forever with Electra.
She’ll be my old lady. And as soon as I can get the club’s okay, I’m ordering her property cut.
But before that comes, I’ll make a permanent declaration of who she is. ”
“What permanent declaration?” Electra asked, mystified.
I grinned and winked at her. “You’ll see. I promise you’ll love it.”
“This is sweet and all, but it doesn’t solve the issue of her safety.
You have a vague wait-and-see plan. I have a place we can go, Ellie.
We leave today and should arrive by nightfall.
It’s far enough away from Florida that whoever is after you won’t think to look there for you.
I’ve got a couple of people in the Bureau whom I trust. They’re quietly trying to determine where the leak came from.
Don’t bank your life on Swerve and his club.
They’re bikers, for Christ’s sake, not law enforcement or those trained to protect. ”
“That shows that you didn’t study my club like you should’ve.
Sure, some of us haven’t served in the military.
But in addition to those, there are several, and not just in my club, who have.
They are highly connected and skilled. There’s even a connection to the government and the ABC agencies.
I bet that someone on our side will discover the traitor before you do.
We’re rough around the edges, but we’re reliable, and we don’t leave a job half done. ”
“Who is your government connection?” he demanded.
“I can’t tell you that unless given permission.
Just know there are bikers who regularly work with the government and even law enforcement.
Hell, I can name two people—one a member, the other an old lady in one club—who were cops.
We have lawyers, too. We contribute to our communities and help people. ”
I shared this because I wanted him to know we weren’t a bunch of uneducated idiots. People who thought that were the ones Dad and Cottonmouth had been worried about. That was why they insisted we get degrees before patching into the club.
“I don’t—” Whatever Boone was about to say was cut short by a hard knock at the door. Christ, was there no one asleep or staying out of this room?
I powered my wheelchair to the door and tore it open. My blast died on my lips. Standing there, looking grim, was Diablo. His gaze went from me to Electra and Boone. When it came back to me, he spoke.
“Swerve, I have something to speak to you about. When we’re done, I need to talk to the three of you. See you in my office in ten minutes, Swerve. You two can hang out here or in the common room. I’ll have someone come get you when I’m ready.”
Without another word, not even waiting for our assent, he turned and walked away.
I noted that Cowboy was no longer in the hallway, and there was no one else standing guard.
Had he gone to tell Diablo about Boone? Maybe, or Diablo just had impeccable timing.
He often did. Turning around, I let them know the deal.
“Electra, I need to go change and brush my teeth before I see Diablo. Will you come with me? While I’m gone, why don’t you stay in the common room? There will be someone there in case you need something.”
I wasn’t thrilled to leave her with Boone. I knew he would grill her and try to make her change her mind about me.
“I’ll come with you, and then I’ll see where I wait.
I’ll have to get ready, too. I don’t plan on facing Diablo in my pajamas.
Rhodes, you and I can discuss this further later.
For now, I’d get myself spiffed up. We’re about to talk to the big man here.
I’ve learned that Diablo can be extremely nice, but when he has to be, he’s a devil. ”
Her speech made me happy, and I winked at her. Boone was left there, not saying a word, as she went with me to my room. I had eight minutes to go.