Chapter Three. #2
“Granny?” I asked. Shotgun was so close to me I could feel the heat coming off his body, and once again, it was a definite turn-on.
“My grandmother. She has a new boyfriend every few months and is very adventurous,” Shotgun stated.
Rain began laughing again. “That’s the polite way of putting it. Granny didn’t blink when we explained what we were about. Just wished to know who was topping whom. Then hoped we didn’t squash the lucky woman who was sandwiched between us.”
“Holy crap. We can’t let our grandparents meet,” I declared, fisting Rain’s shirt.
Rain grinned. “That insinuates that we’ll cross paths again.”
“Possibly,” I replied. I caught the eye of the bartender, and he came over. I placed the order and turned to face the two hunks in front of me.
“Yeah, I know where to find you,” I said to Shotgun, and he laughed as I sauntered away, swinging my hips. Though I might not accept their offer, I was definitely intrigued.
Shotgun
Telling the club didn’t happen. Shit kicked off with Levi and his old lady and everything, as usual, was put to one side to deal with that. By the time everything calmed down, he was riddled with doubts, as was Rain.
Shotgun was worried about the Venomous Fangs and how they kept striking, but Rage couldn’t find them. Fury was making his presence known, and everyone was feeling it. He even tried to talk Rain out of moving here if Rain was offered the job, but Rain dug his heels in.
The good news, after everything had calmed down, was that Rain had submitted his CV to ENS Pharmaceuticals and was invited to an interview. Rain couldn’t have been happier because Matthews had started making comments.
“Listen to me,” Shotgun begged Rain during a call as he began readying the shop to lock up.
“I have. You’ve got a valid argument, babe, and if those assholes come, I’ll leave. But they might not. Why should we put our lives on hold?”
Rain had a point, but Shotgun didn’t want to admit it.
“If you’re here and they come, I’ll be distracted. If you get hurt, I won’t cope. Stay where you are for now,” he ordered.
“Look. I’m tired of the back and forth. I need a home near you where we can visit each other.
With the shit that’s happening, it’s not ideal to come out with our relationship.
Fine, but I don’t want to be apart from you.
I think being honest right now means there’ll be a lot of heated words, and everyone won’t be one hundred per cent focused. ”
Shotgun didn’t disagree. Hellfire needed to be at the top of their game.
“Any sign of apple cobbler?” Rain asked, and Shotgun didn’t miss the hopeful tone in his voice.
“Been six weeks, babe. I don’t think Allegra’s interested.”
“There was a spark, we both felt it,” Rain pushed.
“Yeah, but a triad is a lot to ask of someone,” he replied. He popped the phone on the loudspeaker and began moving things around.
“Stop being such a Debbie Downer, Shotgun. Rowena was a bitch, but not everybody is judgmental. I’ve got a good feeling about Allegra. You know, that’s a beautiful name. I looked it up. Allegra means joyful, happy, and lively,” Rain informed him.
“Well, she was aptly named,” Shotgun agreed.
“Yes, I was lucky, a miracle really, because my parents have permanent sticks up their asses,” Allegra said, and Shotgun spun around.
“Is that apple cobbler?” Rain demanded.
“Hi, Rain.”
“Hey, gorgeous girl. How’s it going?”
Shotgun stared at the vision in front of him. Allegra was more beautiful than he remembered, and she smiled.
“I’m good. How’re you?” she replied.
Shotgun reached out a hand, and Allegra shyly took it as he brought her closer to the phone.
“It’s going great. I’ve been offered a job in Bell Fourche, I’m going to accept it.
It’s an extra twenty per cent on top of what I’m currently getting and has a shitload of employee benefits.
Even better, if my formulas make it through clinical trials and are approved by the FDA, ENS will give me five per cent of all proceeds made. ”
“You just spoke a completely foreign language,” Allegra teased as Shotgun continued to hold her hand.
“Rain’s a scientist. He works to create new pharmaceuticals. He just got one into FDA clinical trials. But his old place treated him like shit, so he’s recently accepted a job at ENS Pharmaceuticals in Bell Fourche,” Shotgun explained.
“That’s wonderful,” Allegra exclaimed.
“Yup. So, I’m going to be moving to your part of the country soon. I’m already house-searching.”
“Oh, I can help! I love stuff like that. Please tell me what you want, and I can whittle down the possibilities for you! When will you be here?” Allegra demanded excitedly.
“Need to work a month’s leave, but they owe me three weeks’ vacation, so I’m taking it. And…” Rain drew the word out, “I was required to go to HR today. They were highly concerned about my resignation.”
“Fuckin’ should be, especially with the shit you’ve been dealing with,” Shotgun growled out.
Allegra cocked her head and looked at him.
“Rain’s supervisor is a homophobic asshole. He’s racist, rude, and a bully. Rain wouldn’t let me intimidate him. Tell me you named Matthews and claimed a hostile working environment.”
Shotgun waited and heard Rain pause. Shit, had Rain ignored Matthews’ behaviour again? He was ready to drive over there and put the fear of God into the fuckin’ asshole.
“No,” Rain replied.
Shotgun exploded, “Rain! You can’t let Matthews get away—”
“Shut up. I listed all the reasons, including the fact that I’m bisexual, but was unable to declare that because of Matthews.”
Shotgun chewed his lip. Okay then. “Proud of you.”
“I doubt anything will happen; the man’s a genius, but I wasn’t the only one who gave their notice.” Now Rain sounded smug.
Shotgun stepped closer to Allegra and placed a hand on her waist. He left it loose in case she wanted to pull away, but Allegra smiled.
“More did?” Shotgun asked.
“Yeah. As soon as I announced I was leaving, seven others in my lab handed theirs in, citing the same reasons. They’ve also all applied to ENS Pharmaceuticals, whom I contacted and explained that they are my team.
ENS has offered interviews to everyone and is willing to give us our own laboratory.
My lab assistant informed me I was the reason they stayed.
” Rain sounded overwhelmed and confused.
Shotgun smiled. “Because you’re a good guy.”
“You have to say that, you love me,” Rain quipped, and Shotgun laughed.
“Not all the time. Have you told your sisters yet?”
“No. Can’t you wait until I get a house?” Rain whined.
“That’s on your head.”
“They’re all so bossy.”
“Yup,” Shotgun said, amused. Rain wasn’t wrong. “Alright, I’ll see you this weekend. Love you.”
“Love you too.” Rain cut the call, and Allegra stared at Shotgun.
“Okay, several things I’m picking up on,” she stated, and Shotgun inclined his head.
“Go on.”
“You two aren’t out as a couple.”
“No. There are reasons, and his prying damn sisters are one of them.”
“How many sisters?” Allegra asked.
Shotgun grinned. “Rain is a quintuplet and the youngest.”
Allegra’s eyes widened. “Quints?”
“Yup. It’s Rain’s story to share, but they weren’t raised together. Which makes all his sisters super-protective and nosy. Especially Thalia and Polly. Callie is in her own little world, and Clio walks to the beat of her own drum.”
“Will you tell me those reasons, Shotgun? I need information before I decide.”
He held her gaze. “Don’t you want to know if we’re sexually compatible first?”
Allegra snorted. “Shotgun, it’s safe to say I’m attracted to you both.”
Shotgun grinned. “Sure about that?”
“Oh, definitely. I can’t stop dreaming about you both.”
Shotgun was intrigued, and it showed. “Both of us?”
“Hell yeah, and in various positions. I’ve worn the batteries out in my BOB four times.”
Shotgun threw his head back and laughed. “Come on, we’ve got a lot to discuss.”