CHAPTER 22
Kaya
When I get to my room I just stand there.
What in the hell is happening? Maverick changed from a domineering beast to someone who touches me with such softness and care that he barely seems like the same man.
Slowly I get dressed in jeans, a tank top, flannel shirt, and boots, more club attire than my normal business casual.
After zipping up my second boot I turn to see Maverick standing in the doorway with a towel wrapped around his waist. Water droplets are still beaded on his chest and his damp hair hangs down on either side of his head.
I lick my lips. I have always thought the man was gorgeous but I was somehow able to tamp it down while I was pushing him away.
Now? I’m looking at him in a differently.
In a possessive, ownership kind of way. I scan him from his face to his feet.
Feet have never done it for me, and they still don’t, but his feet?
Yep, they do it for me too, or is it just everything about him?
All’s I know is that while I’m looking at him here and now, I know for a fact that I will cut any bitch that comes near him, because he is mine.
He’s already claimed me, but he better be ready to be claimed right back.
“You good?” Maverick asks as he removes the towel and grabs for his boxers that are draped on my bed.
“Uh, yeah,” I say, trying to pull my gaze from his half hard cock. “I’m going to go do my hair quick, and then we can go.”
Twenty minutes later we’re walking into the clubhouse, hand in hand. Ace grins at us and hands Shade his pool cue. He approaches and gives Maverick one of those brother hugs with a single back slap. He takes my hand and shakes it. “You ready, kid?” he asks me.
“Sure thing.” I follow Ace down the hall, giving Lexi and Hannah a wave as I pass them sitting at the bar. I’ve never been in Ace’s office before. It’s a little intimidating, especially since Maverick doesn’t seem to be joining us.
I glance around quickly when I enter the small room. There’s not much to it besides a messy desk with one chair and two other chairs sitting across from it. There’s a bookshelf with family photos, some books, and motorcycle décor. Ace waves for me to take a seat across from his chair.
“Well, Cipher couldn’t say enough about your skills, Kaya. He was thoroughly impressed, which impresses me because he is damn good at his job.”
“Thank you.”
“He also ran your background check.”
I swallow a lump in my throat and nod.
“You had a rough go of it when you were younger.”
I meet his eyes but don’t say anything, since he technically didn’t ask a question.
“Trudy and Bill were good to you?” he asks.
“They did their best. There were a lot of kids in the house, so it was easy to blend in and be forgotten about, but they really did try. We were all taken care of and there was no abuse or anything, so it could have been a lot worse.”
He nods and picks up a piece of paper, studying it. “So right now you work for Kensington?”
“Yes. I get sent out on jobs to install systems, run upgrades, testing, or work out any issues the companies have. I also work from home sometimes and log in remotely to troubleshoot problems, and I also do some independent consulting.”
“Are you locked into a contract?”
“Uh, no.”
“So, if I wanted you to come work for Carnage full time, would you be up for that?”
My brows shoot up. “Full time? I’m not trying to sound conceited, but I’m not sure you can afford me.”
Ace’s grin grows across his face. “Try me.”
“Well, right now I’m making roughly 105 thousand a year.”
He folds his hands together and rests them on top of the desk. “125 thousand but you work exclusively for Carnage. No consulting.”
My eyes widen. Holy shit. That’s a nice jump. I smirk. “Would that make me a member?”
Ace eyes me. “It would make you an employee.”
“Do I get a leather cut?”
“You Maverick’s old lady?”
“Yes,” I say confidently, surprising myself.
“Then yes, but it will say property of Maverick.”
“What about health insurance?”
“Covered.” Ace answers quickly.
“NDA?”
“Obviously.”
I lean back in my chair. “I just want to be clear. So, the NDA means I can’t discuss anything with Sophia or Gretchen, correct?”
“Correct.”
I sigh. “And Maverick?”
“He’s a member of the club, so anything you’re into will be able to be shared with him, unless I say otherwise, but that will rarely happen.”
I frown. “Not telling my girls things is a big ask. They’re the only family I have.”
Ace quirks a brow. “If they’re truly your family, shouldn’t they understand?”
He’s right. If I was a lawyer or a doctor, they wouldn’t expect me to go against a code of conduct for some gossip. But at the same time, with Grayson being a member of the club that could cause some animosity with Sophia. I hope not though.
“I’m going to need to give notice to my clients and to Kensington.”
Ace stands and I do the same. “Great. I’ll have Bryson draw up the paperwork.” He puts out his hand and suddenly this feels way more professional than I expected. I give his hand a firm shake.
“Thank you. Who’s Bryson?”
“Our lawyer. He handles all employee paperwork.”
“Okay. Cool. Thanks again,” I say, before turning to leave.
“Stay with Maverick and then we’ll head into church in a few minutes.”
My feet stop moving and I turn back to face him. “Church?”
“Yes. You will be attending church regularly. That’s where you and Cipher report what you find.”
“And I don’t get a cut?” I ask again with more sway to my voice. “It really seems like I’m a member getting to know all the inside stuff without the benefits.”
Ace huffs. “Do you ride a motorcycle?”
“I can learn.”
“Do you shoot a gun? Are you ready to head out when we have threats against us? To hop on your bike and ride into danger with your gun at the ready?”
I blink. That part actually doesn’t sound that great. “I don’t think your tech members should be heading into danger. I should be at home base covering surveillance while you guys do the shooting and dangerous stuff. Does Cipher always go out into danger?”
Ace purses his lips. “No.”
“Well, he’s still a member.”
“Has anyone ever told you, you’re exhausting?”
I smile. “Yes, yes they have.”
“I’ll talk to the officers.” Ace finally indulges me.
“That’s all I ask,” I say as I leave the office with a wicked grin on my face.
What’s funny is, it was never my intention to ask to be a member.
It just came out. I don’t really care either way.
If the requirement is I have to go into war, and fight, then I’ll be happy just hanging back on a computer being an employee.
I just figured it doesn’t hurt to try since I’m going to be sitting in at church regardless.
I’m really freaking excited! Being on the inside of something like Carnage and getting to know all the ins and outs of the club, is truly an honor no matter how it happens.
When I make it back to the common room, Maverick is sitting at the bar with a glass of amber liquid in front of him.
Flip and Rebel are on either side of him and Hannah is standing in between Rebel’s legs with a bottle of beer in front of her.
Jessica and Jana are chatting on one of the sofas, close and secretive.
Their eyes keep flicking to Maverick as they talk making it obvious who their topic of conversation is.
I glare at them as I pass and Jessica sneers at me. I stop. “I’m not sure what your problem is, but I’m only saying this once.” I point to Maverick. “You see that man? He’s mine, so keep your fucking eyes off him and his name out of your goddamn mouths.”
They both scoff and Jessica lays a hand on her chest. “What? I didn’t say anything,” Jessica whines.
Hannah laughs. “Oh please. You both haven’t shut up about him all morning.”
“I’m not kidding.” I reiterate, shifting my glare back and forth between the two of them.
“Jessica if you plan on auditioning this afternoon, I suggest you go get ready. We’re leaving as soon as the guys are done with church. Jana, get your ass in this kitchen, now.” Lexi demands from the kitchen doorway.
Both girls get up and Jana quickly scurries to Lexi. Jessica grins and heads down the hallway.
Lexi gives me a proud smile and a thumbs up before ducking back inside the kitchen. Maverick is smiling the widest goofiest smile I’ve ever seen. I shuffle over to him and he puts his hand out to me. I take it and he pulls me to him roughly. “You staking your claim, babe?”
Even though we just spent the night and morning together, I take in the scent of him as if I haven’t smelled him in days. He crushes me to his chest. “Yes, every woman needs to know to stay the hell away from you.”
“That’s a big change from a week ago.” Rebel says while chuckling.
“Yeah, well. Things change,” I state matter of fact.
“Church!” Ace says as he passes through the room without stopping.
I get up and Maverick eyes me curiously. “That means me too.”
He raises a brow. “Really?”
“According to the boss man? Yes.”