Chapter Eight
Despite Nova’s reassurances, Kuba still felt guilty for stealing Diesel away early.
He recognized how his bullshit affected everyone else around him.
Kuba had to think about anything at all besides the way Diesel didn’t say a word about their night together or the way Diesel stayed completely professional the entire day.
The more distant Diesel became, the more ridiculous Kuba turned.
By the time they reached Steel Security, Kuba felt like the fakest version of himself.
Then he met a six-foot pink-haired twink whose makeup was more on point than any super model he had ever met.
He was of some Asian descent and married to a massive bear who looked as if he would rip the arms off any man who disrespected his kitten.
Kuba said kitten because that was what Saint called Clover.
In the cutest of displays, Clover sat on Saint's lap, holding a pen and notebook, looking ready to jot down anything needed during their meeting. With cat ears on and cat eyes locked on Diesel, Clover dove straight in. “Talk to us. Things sounded urgent when you called.”
Saint nodded along, as if fine with Clover running the show.
Diesel got straight to the point. “Kuba’s security needs go beyond just having me there to watch his back.
He’ll need a rotation team for when I can’t be around and the highest tech system we can put together.
The moment he left his car unattended overnight in the open, it was destroyed.
He’s dealing with bigger problems than just an annoying fan or stalker.
These people or person is out to actually do harm. ”
Clover’s gaze slid Kuba’s way. His eyes softened. “That’s terrible. I’ve been in your shoes, and no one should have to live that way. I was lucky that Saint had my back and can assure you that you’re in the best hands with us. We will make sure nothing happens to you.”
Saint kept nodding.
Kuba wondered if the guy ever had to work with Clover running the show. From what he understood, Saint was the boss and Clover was the assistant. It didn’t look that way from where he sat.
“I appreciate the backup. Obviously, I can handle myself, but this shit is getting out of control. No one is safe around me. Everyone is fair game to these people and the cops don’t seem to give a fuck.
Excuse my language.” Kuba didn’t know why he added that last part.
He was just used to hanging around fighters and whatnot.
Clover seemed like a class act. Fancy—like Kuba’s dad.
Kuba was the disappointment in the family.
At least with everyone but his mom. Now she was gone, so it was officially everyone.
Clover waved off his apology. “I work with these guys.” He made a circular motion with his pen. Kuba assumed that meant the entire Steel crew.
Kuba chuckled. “For sure.” Fuck. Why was he so uncomfortable? Obviously, all this shit made him look weak, and he hated that. But Diesel wasn’t being himself, and that made it impossible for Kuba to relax.
Clover smiled. “Plus, I have a trucker’s mouth, so you’re good.”
The way Saint smiled, as if every word Clover spoke made him proud as hell, had a hint of jealousy rising inside him.
The holidays, this bullshit, and the Diesel thing just had him feeling isolated as fuck.
He thought he might tear off his skin any second.
His knee started bobbing. Kuba chewed the side of his thumbnail.
Diesel leaned forward and sat his elbow on the edge of the desk. On the sly, he squeezed Kuba’s knee and then stroked his thigh, stopping the nervous motion.
“Speaking of no one around him being safe, I’d like to extend that security system to his trainer’s house.
It looks like he’s a possible target too.
I can easily see Jayme getting hurt just to get at Kuba.
That’s the closest person to him beyond Kuba’s dad.
But Krystof is paying us, so I feel confident he has his own security plan in place. ”
Clover made some notes.
Saint finally spoke. “That’s absolutely something we can do. I’ll call around and see who I can get out there the fastest to get cameras and monitoring rolling as soon as possible. Clover has made friends with several local police officers.”
Clover jumped in. “Absolutely I can drop some hints for help around the precinct. After they arrested my stalker, I took food to the station and left with a dozen new friends. They stop by here all the time to chat. I’m sure I could convince a couple of them to make a few extra trips around your block. ”
A thought hit. Kuba’s gaze flew to Diesel. “What about your mom?”
Diesel looked his way. Their gazes met and held. The invisible barrier between them fell. “Do you think Frick and Frack would bother my mom?”
“Well, it was your bushes they were hiding in last night and your driveway where they destroyed my car. The address isn’t unknown to them. Plus, I love your mom. I don’t know, dude. It’s just a thought, but I wouldn’t want anything to happen to her.”
The silence in the room was palpable. Diesel obviously noticed it too.
At the same time, they looked Clover and Saint’s way.
Clover’s eyes darted between them. He looked exactly like a man who had their number.
Saint seemed oblivious. “Nova already has a high-tech security system. If she’d use the damn thing, that is. She’s stubborn as fuck.”
“To be fair, I’ve seen her jujitsu videos online. She can kick through a piece of wood with the best of them,” Clover added to Saint’s thoughts.
“Plus, she’s packing,” Diesel added, surprising a laugh from Kuba.
“I cannot imagine Nova doing any of those things.” No one laughed.
Clover shrugged. “Nova is a badass. She’s drop dead beautiful. A woman like that needs to know how to take care of herself.”
All fair points. Kuba’s worries were assuaged. “All right. As long as she’s good.”
“I’m going to tell her you were worried.
” The humor in Diesel’s voice had Kuba’s gaze shooting back his way.
The way his eyes danced with laugher had the breath catching in the back of Kuba’s throat.
Diesel was just flawless. Why hadn’t he used every weapon in his arsenal to hold Diesel’s focus? He needed to step up his game.
“I think Steel put together a good pair here. All of our guards are top-notch, but chemistry isn’t always a given. You two will make a great team.”
Kuba couldn’t stop smiling. He wondered if Clover would rat them out the second they stepped outside.
Hopefully, he wouldn’t. Kuba didn’t know if Diesel’s job would be at risk over their night together.
He hoped not, since Kuba had no intention of stopping.
His foot was on the gas now. Diesel didn’t stand a chance of escaping him.
The immediate way Kuba thought of his mom’s safety toppled the professional wall Diesel had spent the day trying to erect.
Setting aside Kuba’s car being vandalized, he had still vanished this morning.
There also hadn’t been a single word exchanged about last night.
Kuba had seemed completely willing to pretend nothing had happened between them.
Diesel had just kept telling himself they were both too young to get attached.
No need to be dramatic. Kuba had one-night stands all the time.
Diesel could do that too. He was an adult.
As he opened the car door for Kuba and saw him safely inside, their gazes collided.
The same sensation of time slowing that he had felt in Saint’s office happened again.
It was as if everything moved at a snail’s pace while heat built between them.
Realistically, he knew it was barely three seconds of eye contact, but damn. That was a hot three seconds.
Diesel circled the car. Steel Security was located on the square with all parking in a back parking lot that serviced each building in the long stretch of businesses.
Diesel scanned the parking lot. He had to stay in guard mode.
Diesel couldn’t keep thinking about last night.
Wow, though. His skin tingled every second he spent with Kuba.
There weren’t butterflies or whatever else people described. Diesel felt alive.
He slid behind the wheel and pulled the door shut.
The doors automatically locked behind him when he pressed the button to start the car.
Then Kuba was there. His mouth covered Diesel’s, and his hands were everywhere.
The instant arousal had Diesel panting for breath.
Kuba pulled away and buckled his seatbelt like nothing happened.
Diesel stared at him with fire rising in his gut.
Finally, Kuba met his stare. Kuba might have been acting as if nothing had happened, but his face gave away everything.
Kuba’s eyebrows rose. “Are we going to my place or what? It’s not like we can do this here.”
Without a word, Diesel threw the car in reverse.
He didn’t know if Kuba was only teasing him, but he didn’t intend to waste time.
The minutes it took to get to the warehouse where Kuba lived felt like two hours.
They didn’t speak. Diesel gripped the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
“Turn down this side road to park in the garage.”