Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
WRENLEY
“ W hat are you daydreaming about?” Eve asked. Her, Courtney, Raya, and I were sitting at a table in the common room at the compound. Eve was the sister to Tech, and Courtney was married to State, who was the vice president of the club. They’d been around a while and were some of the nicest women Raya and I had met.
It was a few of the club bunnies we had to keep an eye on sometimes when they got too bitchy. Courtney had told me one time that since the bunnies lived in the compound, to be at the beck and call of the single brothers, they thought they had more rights than the old ladies, which wasn’t true.
Had Torch had any of them?
Nope. I wouldn’t go there.
The past was the past for both of us, and we were working on starting something for our future.
I definitely enjoyed how things got started last night.
Smiling, I rested my chin on my hand as I searched out Torch in the room.
“And she’s still dreaming,” Courtney commented with a laugh.
Rolling my eyes, I laughed softly just as I found Torch over on the other side of the room talking with some of his brothers. My heart skipped a beat when I spotted Dagger with two wrapped-up fingers. Country’s words from that day ran through my mind, “Draw blood if you must. But listen to your brother first.”
Now they were talking and laughing with others, as if Torch hadn’t done anything to him.
Maybe one day I’d understand the dynamics of everything about the club, but if I never did, I’d be okay with that. Nothing would keep me from Torch.
Warmth rushed through me when I found him gazing back at me. He tipped his chin up, which I dorkily returned, causing his eyes to lighten.
“That explains who she’s dreaming about,” Eve teased.
“Please, I’m her sister, and I don’t want to know why Torch has given her that look on her face.”
Eve snorted. “I can understand that. I do not want to hear about Tech’s sexual adventures.”
“But, chéri , it would be hot to think of your brother in that way,” Henri said as he arrived and sat beside Raya, opposite Eve, Courtney, and me, who were on the long bench. I loved his French accent. I swore I could listen to him read the label on a can of soup and enjoy it.
When Eve screwed up her nose, then faked gagging, we laughed.
“Henri, if you think my brother is good-looking, then you need to seek help. Besides, I’m sure Blaze wouldn’t be happy hearing that you have the hots for Tech.” She smirked, raising her brow.
“My amour has already agreed with me on your brother’s hot status. It is fun to look but not touch. I do get very bored when I am waiting for my amour to do all his computer stuff.”
Eve opened her mouth and closed it. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Sometimes it’s best to say nothing at all,” Dusty said when she joined us. “Henri, shouldn’t you be at the florist?”
Henri owned and ran a flower shop where Dusty also worked. Well, managed really, because it seemed Henri grew bored easily.
“The team has it in hand. It is what we hired them for. And when you pop out your bébé , you will be back to take care of things.”
Dusty rubbed her belly. “Why don’t you sell it? You haven’t been happy there for a long time, and I might not come back for a while. Things around here keep me busy too.”
“But then what would I do with the time I was there?”
“Dom told me there was a receptionist job going at Polished P and P,” Courtney announced.
Henri straightened, lighting up while Dusty’s eyes shot wide and she shook her head.
Eve, reading her, said to Henri, “Maybe it’s best to talk to Blaze about working at a brothel and escort agency before you even think about the job.”
“ Non , he does not decide for me, and I am liking this receptionist idea. Imagine what I would see working there, how much fun I would have.”
Courtney winced, no doubt regretting her suggestion. “But still, it would be good to talk to Blaze. The hours are at night, so it might not work with Blaze being here and busy all the time.”
Henri scoffed. “Maybe it would be best for us to be separate for a while. Then he might remember what a good fuck I am and pay more attention to me instead of his computers.” He crossed his arms and huffed.
Country stopped by the table at the wrong time.
Henri pointed at him. “You. I am told there is job of receptionist at Polished. I wish to be employed. You know I have skills. I run my own business.” He waved a finger side to side at Dusty. “Not a word. I would be good for this position, boss man.”
Country quirked a brow and rested his hands on Dusty’s shoulders. “And who’s gonna run your business? It ain’t Dusty. She’s about to have my kid and won’t be working?—”
Henri shook his head. “I am selling it.”
Country paused for a moment. “What about Blaze?”
Henri cocked his head and gave him a look that held a lot of attitude. “What about him?”
“Shouldn’t you get his permission?—”
“Permission?” Henri snapped and stood. “ Pardon moi , did you say permission? That I would need permission from a man to do what I want?”
“Dusty?” Country tried.
“Oh no, don’t get me involved. I may regret putting this idea in his head to sell his business, but you’ve just stirred the beast. Now he’s risen and is very stubborn.”
“I will have this job,” Henri said, nodding to himself. “If you do not do the hiring, who does?”
“State and Wreck,” Country said quickly.
Dusty covered her mouth, but I heard her snickering. I was holding mine in, as were Raya and Eve. Courtney grinned like she was having the time of her life.
“I will speak to them. They will know I’m good for this job.”
“What job?” Blaze asked as he walked up behind Henri.
Everyone froze.
Except Henri, who spun on Blaze. “You will have your fun with your computers and spend more time with a man who does not suck your cock, but I am selling the florist and acquiring the receptionist job at Polished.”
Someone snorted, then coughed. “Just to say, I’ll never suck his cock,” Tech added from somewhere.
Henri glared at him. “You never know, mon ami , you might enjoy it.”
Tech spluttered and shook his head. “I know what I like.”
“And we don’t need to hear about it,” Eve put in.
Blaze ignored them and scowled at Country. “Did you give him this job?”
“No. He doesn’t even have it. I told him to talk to State and Wreck.”
A tick started in Blaze’s cheek.
Warmth hit my back, and I glanced up to see Torch there, but he was watching Blaze closely.
“Wanna take a walk?” he asked Blaze.
“No,” Blaze clipped. Then his attention went to Henri, and he fired off fluent French. Henri replied snarkily in the same language.
“Anyone know what they’re sayin’?” Tech asked.
“Nope,” Raya replied.
I glanced to Dusty, and her face was burning bright, so maybe she knew some of it.
Blaze eventually sighed long and loud. “Fine,” he snarled. His attention went to Tech. “We’re moving our setup to Polished.”
His eyes widened comically. “Say what?”
“He hasn’t even got the job,” Eve commented.
Dusty snorted while Blaze and Tech bickered back and forth and said quietly, “Do you know of a time when Henri didn’t get his way?”
Eve opened her mouth and promptly closed it.
Torch rested his hands on my shoulders and applied gentle pressure. I took it as him asking if I was okay. Glancing up, I smiled and nodded. He tucked some hair behind my ear.
When I glanced back to Blaze and Tech, I realized that the room had gone silent, and all eyes were on us.
A blush rose, but I was more worried about Torch feeling uncomfortable with the attention, which was why I asked, “So what’s the verdict? Did Henri get the job? Are you guys moving to Polished?”
“We are,” Blaze stated.
“We aren’t,” Tech bit out.
Henri waved a hand in the air. “It does not bother me if they move or not. I am going to find Wreck or State and come back with good news.” He glanced to Courtney. “Where is your other half?”
“Ah….” Courtney hesitated, like I would, wanting to protect her man. That or she just didn’t know.
Henri smiled. “It is okay, mon chéri . I will be gentle with him.” He winked.
Blaze broke off his argument with Tech to clip, “Henri.”
Henri rolled his eyes and waited on Courtney. He didn’t have to wait long; State walked in from the kitchen area and paused when he noted a Frenchman running his way.
“Mr. State,” he called loudly. “I have a question, and I do not think you’ll be able to pass on this opportunity. I have my own business, oui ? I know how to run things. I am excellent in taking calls, booking appointments, and greeting people. Plus, I am handsome, oui ?”
State looked over Henri’s head to a glaring Blaze before returning his attention to Henri. “Where is this goin’?”
“I would like the receptionist job at Polished.”
State shrugged. “Fine. On a three-week trial run.”
Henri clapped and jumped on the spot. “Merci, merci, merci,” he cheered.
“Fuck,” Tech shouted before he turned and stalked out of the room.
“Why does he sound pissed?” Courtney asked as her man and Henri walked over to the table.
Eve laughed. “Because he knows he’s screwed, and that he’ll be moving his setup to Polished.”
Which was understandable. The men around us were some of the most possessive and protective men I’d ever met. I’d heard Blaze was worse than them all. I didn’t think it was that Blaze didn’t trust Henri, but I suspected he’d have a problem with the men who visited the brothel. Henri hadn’t been lying when he said he was handsome. He really was and often got attention from all types.
“Dusty, we must plan to sell. Come, mon chéri .” Country shot him a look, and Henri quickly added, “Please.”
Dusty sighed. “You and your whims, Henri. Are you sure?—”
“Oui, oui. I am completely sure.”
Country helped Dusty up off the seat, and Henri curled an arm around her waist to lead her out. They both called a goodbye. Blaze followed them silently.
“Brother, I ain’t sure I made the right choice,” State said to Country.
Laughter sounded.
Country slapped him on the shoulder. “Too late now. At least you said it was a trial run.”
Eve cackled. “Dusty told me Henri is a whiz when it comes to running things. As long as he doesn’t grow bored, and I don’t think he will at Polished.”
“And none of you mind the computer room being moved to Polished?” Raya asked.
Country shook his head as he crossed his arms over his chest. “Tech and Blaze have nearly finished creatin’ a device where none of our phone lines will be corrupted by an outside source, no matter what they try. Plus, there’s always brothers at Polished. Won’t change much.”
“Then why was Tech so upset about the move?” I asked Eve since she knew him best.
She smiled. “Have you been in their room? It’s so big and full of shit that it’ll take forever and a day to get all those computers set up like they are.”
“Oh,” I replied with a grin. That would be a shitty job.
A phone chimed. Country pulled his from his pocket, and his mouth tightened when he read what was on there.
“State, Torch, with me now.” He started for the hallway. State quickly kissed his wife while Torch ran his fingers softly over my cheek before following their president.
Tension settled low in my stomach.
The kitchen door opened, and Death rushed through the common room with a chin lift to Raya.
“Should we be worried?” Raya asked.
Eve shook her head. “Whatever it is, they’ll have it handled.”
Courtney nodded. “And if it’s necessary for us to know, they’ll tell us. But, to change the topic because I’m a nosey wench—” She turned to me. “—can I just say that Torch looks completely smitten.”
Eve nodded, leaning in. “I’ve never seen him with that tender look in his eyes. Tell me you two are a thing?”
I appreciated the distraction, and I believed the women were right—the men would have things handled.
Until they wanted to tell us, I knew I was safe, which meant I could enjoy my time with the women around me.
I brushed at invisible crumbs on the table and said, “We’re working on getting to know each other.”
“While he guards her twenty-four seven and sleeps in her bed,” Raya teased.
Eve and Courtney grinned, but it was Eve who stated, “They’re together.”
Courtney gripped my hand. “I can already see something special between you two.”
“Really?” I breathed as my chest warmed.
“ Really . And I love that it’s you for Torch. I’ve seen him around his brothers, smiling, laughing, and talking, but it’s never reached his eyes before. Though, in the last couple of weeks I’ve noticed that’s changed. He seems more… I don’t know how to say it.”
“Alive. Happy. Content,” Eve suggested.
Courtney grinned. “All of it.”
That warmth inside me spread.
It was wonderful that other people saw me as a good thing for Torch. I was doing something right. I was helping by caring for him in every way I could.
He meant so much to me.
I’d never loved a man before.
Crushes, yes, but I’d never felt consumed by so many emotions that my body reacted all the time when he was close or far and when I just thought about him. I loved every look he gave me, every touch, or even when he tipped his chin up at me when he couldn’t find words.
“Is it too soon to feel strongly for someone?” I asked softly.
“No, not at all,” Courtney said quickly and then chuckled with Eve while Raya smiled and shook her head.
“One date,” Courtney said as she patted my hand and let go. “That was all it took to know Dom was going to be mine.”
“Most of these biker men work differently than others. The ones who want to settle will find their partner and know instantly. Unless they have their thumb up their ass like Country did with Dusty when he thought she could do better than him since he’s older,” Eve said.
“Or the woman refuses to admit her feelings and is scared to commit.” Courtney stared pointedly at Eve.
There was definitely some sexual tension between Eve and Quake, who was Tech’s closest friend in the club. It could be a reason why Eve wouldn’t accept anything serious with Quake.
“Leave it,” Eve warned icily.
Courtney’s hands shot up in front of her, pressing on the air. “Calm the she-beast. I’m backing off.”
Eve sighed. “Sorry.” She shrugged. “Besides, the problem with Tech and him being friends is that I am warming up to emotions that I’m not used to.” She glanced at Raya and me. “Tech and I had a shit life growing up. Hell, you two know what that can be like. We didn’t trust or like anyone, and I’m still….” She shrugged again as her jaw clenched.
I bumped my shoulder into hers. “We get it.”
She nodded and huffed out a phony laugh to cover the sadness. “Yeah.”
Raya pulled Courtney into a conversation to get the attention off Eve.
My sister and I did know where Eve was coming from when it came to shit parents and family life. Though, not everyone’s situation was the same. All we could do was be there for one another, and I had a feeling Eve knew that, as she glanced at me and smiled softly before she bumped back into me.