Chapter 9
CHAPTER
NINE
Sawyer
Nova handles her cousins like a knife through butter, and I can’t help but admire that trait.
Of course, they give each other shit, but there’s also a lot of love in this room, not that any of them would admit it. They treat Nova like the little sister they never had, and even though they bicker, I can tell she’s completely comfortable with all of them.
I shouldn’t have done what I did in the kitchen.
I shouldn’t have kissed her here, or whatever that lip sucking thing was.
I couldn’t help myself. And I know I’m sending mixed messages, but she’s the one who kept going on about us both having needs.
After last night’s texting marathon, I’ve started to wonder if we could do the friends with benefits thing.
An exclusive friends with benefits because I don’t want no other man touching her, not that she’d let them, but I’m admittedly just as jealous as she is.
“We’re expandin’,” Brew declares. “Too much money is bein’ spent on outside contractors. While we don’t have the manpower to do everythin’ in-house at the moment, now is the perfect time to start trainin’ a team that is.”
“Been runnin’ the numbers,” Logan cuts in.
“And we could turn this business upside down if we can keep as much as we can under one roof. We’ve all been busy, and we’re all stretched to capacity, so recruitin’ would be our best option, but that comes at a cost and then there’s findin’ the right people. ”
“I can put an advert out,” I say. “I can draft something up if you can tell me what qualifications they need to have.”
“Already got JJ, Chains and Giggs happy to step in and learn the ropes,” Haze says. “They’re all reliable and ready to work, plus, it’ll keep the club coffers overflowin’, which means Cash will be happy.”
“Two birds, one stone,” I agree. “I assume you’d prefer to start with security camera installation? Then maybe patrols until we have a reliable crew. There’s high demand for security around the car yards and hotels, as well as private properties.”
“Yes, but we’ll keep the resident hacking to just you.” Haze grins. “What we need is manpower out there where it counts.”
“And girl power,” Nova pipes up. “Don’t overlook girls just because you’re all men. Women can do installation and patrols, too.”
The boys all turn to look at her.
Brew rolls his eyes. "Nobody’s dismissin' women—if they’re up to the task, then sure. Plus, some top female politicians and hobnobs are always on the lookout for female security guards. It’s not a bad idea.”
“You lookin’ for some extra work, shorty?” I rib, looking at Nova.
She flips me the bird. “Funny.”
“Additionally, the increased quoting will likely lead to hirin’ two new staff members,” Brew adds. “Especially with Erica goin’ on maternity leave soon.”
“Which brings us to you,” Logan says, as Nova glances at him.
“Oh, no, what did I do now?” she sighs.
Logan chuckles. “Nothin’. In fact, this was kinda about you, in a roundabout way. You’ve pulled your weight around here for the last year, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.”
My girl sits up a little straighter. “Go on. I enjoy hearing good things about myself.”
“We’re tryin’ to say you got promoted,” Haze says, pointing at her.
“How would you like to be the new office manager? You’d have your own office out in the back, no more reception desk and answerin’ calls, that’ll be the new recruits job.
Your primary role is to make sure those quotes go out promptly and to answer all emails with correct estimations. ”
She blinks, half a donut halting right before her mouth. “Seriously?”
They all nod.
“You deserve it,” I add.
“This isn’t a prank?” She glances at each of them, then me, and I shake my head.
“It’s not a prank,” Logan says. “Congratulations.”
“Holy shit!” Nova does a little dance, still holding the donut, and sways from side to side. “Hey, does this mean I get that raise after all?”
“Would kinda suck to take on more duties without extra pay,” Haze says at the same time Brew groans. “You should be rewarded for all the good work you’ve been doin’.”
“Yay!” she squeals, doing another little jig.
“Hey, what about me?” I add in playfully. “Remember, I can access locations beyond your wildest imagination.”
“Like that hot little number at the club?” Logan laughs.
I sense Nova bristle but it could just be my imagination.
“Which one?” I quip.
The boys chuckle.
“Ugh,” Nova says. “I’d be wearing two condoms if I were you, you just never know where some of these floozies have been.”
Her being jealous struck a nerve, but when I glance at her and see her cheeks a little pink, I know she’s getting fired up all over again.
“Nah, she wasn’t my type,” I say, leaning back in my chair.
“You gotta be shittin’ me?” Brew shakes his head.
“Not gonna remind you she’s someone’s daughter,” Sawyer sighs. “I’ll just let that sit there for you to digest, Dad.”
Brew shuts his trap.
Logan slaps me upside the head. “Idiot.”
I rub the back of my skull. “Ouch, that hurt.”
“If you like her so much, Loges, why don’t you go after her? Though you are a little old…” Nova bites down on her lip to save from laughing.
Logan is forty-three, five years older than Brew, and seven years older than Haze.
“You mean, she’s a little young?” Logan corrects. “And I’m not gonna say no if she parades those tits in my face.”
Nova scrunches her nose. “Ew, but I also think you’re in luck. Loganberry. She’ll shake those silicone sacks for anyone, right Sawyer?” Her gaze lands on me, one brow piqued.
Ah, so she’s still not over that. Cute.
I raise both hands in the air in surrender. “Hey, don’t blame me. I didn’t do shit. It isn’t my fault I’m the best lookin’ guy in the room and chicks just throw themselves at me.”
I dodge another slap upside the head from Logan, but I’m antagonizing Nova, and I’m fully focussed on what she thinks of that. Of course, I’m joking, but do her nostrils flare just a little?
“Uh, huh, if you like brainless bimbos,” Nova throws back.
“Now, now, not all of those girls are brainless.” Haze wags a finger at her. “Some of them are just into a lot of dicks.”
Brew sprays his coffee all over the table as he chokes at Haze’s comment. Logan rears back so he doesn’t get any on him. And I’m still staring at Nova, who won’t look at me.
“Or they’re misunderstood,” I say. “Some women don’t know what they’re lookin’ for, so they go searchin’ for it. Granted, some of them may also wear really tiny shorts and barely there halter tops, but us guys can also parade around half naked and nobody says shit about it.”
Nova finally glances at me. “Is that you trying to be relatable? Boring.” She drags out that last word, yawning as she says it.
No, Princess, I’m just trying to get a rise out of you, and I’m a dick for doing that.
“Please don’t parade around half naked,” Brew manages as Logan pats him on the back. He’s still sputtering. “I think we’ve all seen enough obscenity for one week.”
“I don’t know,” Nova sings. “Some of those bikers are pretty hot. Chains. Rip. Wheels.”
Brew points at her. “Rip and Wheels are prospects, don’t even think about it or you’ll be responsible for them bein’ buried out in the desert up to the neck with flesh eatin’ ants slowly nibblin’ away at them. Do you want that on your conscience?”
“Are we doin’ that now?” Logan asks. “Nobody told me we were goin’ out to the desert.”
Haze turns to Brew. “Wow, you’ve really thought about that.”
Brew shrugs. “I saw it once in a Western movie.”
“Jesus,” Logan mutters.
“I’m a grown woman, and I can do whatever I want,” Nova throws back. I love it when she stands up to them, it’s hilarious. “I don’t have to ask any of you for permission.”
“Uh, that’s where you’re wrong,” Haze pipes up. “When it comes to prospects, any ol’ lady or club sister — which in the grand scheme of things, you are — means you’re off limits to them. Punishable by death. Surely you don’t want blood on your hands?”
Nova just rolls her eyes. “Spare me the lecture.”
Logan chuckles.
“Why?” Brew says, suddenly interested. “You’re not really into Chains are you? He’s like a goddamn bloodhound. You really wanna be with a man whose main claim to fame is jugglin’ coconuts and singin’ ‘put the lime in the coconut and call me in the mornin’, trust me on that, it’s bad.”
I burst out laughing.
Nova tries to keep a straight face. “Some of the girls say he’s good in bed.”
I quit laughing immediately. Okay, I’m now discovering I have a jealous streak, who knew?
Logan places his hands over his ears. “I’m not hearin’ this.”
“Which girls?” Brew grumps, suddenly interested.
Nova sighs like we’re all boring her. “The single ones, duh.”
“For fuck’s sake,” Haze mutters. “How did we get here?”
“In any case,” she goes on. “He works for you now, apparently, so nobody in the club is good enough for me, and nobody who works for you is, either?”
I know I’ll never be good enough, that’s not even a question.
“She’s startin’ to grasp it now.” Brew smiles. “That only took you a year to figure out.”
“Listen, sweet cheeks,” Haze begins. “You know we’re overly protective because of, well, stuff that’s happened in the past. We only want what’s best for you, and trust me, Chains ain’t it. Just hold out for someone with a little more… substance.”
She huffs. “Fine. I’m just gonna stay single forever then with you lot on the case.”
“Good plan.” Logan claps his hands together. “Now let’s get back to—”
“First, you’d have to find someone who was as smart as you,” I say. “Otherwise you’d have nothin’ to talk about. Then there are the funny stakes. Nobody has your quick wit or skill with one-liner comebacks, so they’d probably just be starin’ blankly at you like a goldfish.”
“Kiss ass,” Brew mutters.
“What I’m gettin’ at is the boys are right, nobody is ever gonna be good enough for you. Just gotta learn to live with it, Princess.”
Our eyes finally meet, then she narrows them. “Should I delete my Tinder app then?”
“You have Tinder?” I blurt in a knee-jerk reaction.
“Delete that app,” Haze says. “Only weirdos go on there lookin’ for pussy. Don’t believe anythin’ they say.”
“I fuckin’ hate technology,” Logan mutters.
“It’s no wonder I’m single with all of you guys ready to throw down for me,” she sighs. “It’s sweet and all, but I’m probably gonna remain a serial spinster for the rest of time no thanks to all of you scaring everyone away.”
“If you wanna go get a couple of cats and really look the part, Luna has some rescues down at Faux Paws.” I smile.
Luna is Tag’s ol’ lady, the Sergeant at Arms. He’s grumpier than Brew, and dislikes everyone except his woman. Tag and Harlem, the club’s Enforcer, are best friends and keep the club members in order.
She crinkles her nose at the idea. “A cat lady?”
“What’s wrong with bein’ a cat lady?”
“It’s fine if you live in a shoe!”
“What do you have against cats?” Logan says.
“Ugh, nothing. I love cats,” she says, shooting me a look. “Hilarious.”
I pout. “You’re the one who said about bein’ a spinster. Thought you might like some company.”
“Are we ever gonna get this meetin’ back on track?” Logan asks, checking his watch. “Time is money, people.”
“Don’t blame me,” Nova says. “It’s all of you guys getting off topic with dumb shit like hussies, burying people out in the desert or throwin’ them in the bayou, and rescue cats. By the way, am I meant to be writing any of this down?”
“As long as you get the bit in writing about your pay rise,” I point out.
Her lips twitch. “Ooh, does that come into effect immediately?” she asks, her eyes lighting up. “Because it’s Manny’s birthday this weekend, and I need some extra shopping money to get a cute outfit.”
“Should’ve told her at the end of the month,” Brew mutters.
She wags her finger at Brew. “Uh, uh, no you don’t, plus I’ll be busy training the new staff as well as recruiting, so I’d expect my raise to be quite substantial.”
Logan huffs a laugh. “Spoken like a true fuckin’ Nomad.”
“Maybe we need to add ‘and sisters’ to the title?” I suggest. “The Nomad Brothers and Sisters — I think it has a ring to it.”
“Oh, shut the fuck up and get back to work,” Brew barks.
“I’ll email you the list of attributes for the new office recruits,” Haze says to Nova. “After you and Erica complete the interviews, you can create a shortlist of candidates and we’ll look it over.”
“Okay,” Nova says. “So, when does Chains start?”
They all groan at the same time as she stands, laughing. “You guys are so easy to wind up.” She finger waves as she leaves, and I try not to follow her with my eyes.
“I can tell she’s from your side of the family,” I say, thumbing behind me. “Never did see a woman with so much sass. She’s got every one of you by the shorts.”
“But not you, hey, brother?” Logan pats me on the shoulder.
“Hey, I’m just the middleman, lookin’ out for my bestie,” I say. “You know she’s gonna screw you guys for every penny of that raise.”
“We can afford it,” Haze says. And I agree with him there. The boys have been very generous with me, always appreciating what I do, and it shows. I’m not going anywhere.
Yes, when I think about Nova, I highly doubt any of them would appreciate what we’re doing. They know we’re friends, but they clearly don’t know about the kissing and touchy feely stuff. Would it be that bad if it was me?
I don’t know, because thinking like that is dangerous.
“Did you find out anythin’ more about that weasel Bobby?” Brew asks before I leave.
“Nope, but I’m still lookin’ into every aspect of his life. I’m still workin’ on the Directors’ file, too, but there isn’t much to go on. They’re ghosts.”
“Willow hasn’t said shit,” Haze says. “I know they’re doin’ what they can, but you know how slow things work over at the NOPD. If we can get one shred of who these assholes are, this could crack the entire network open.”
“Just when you think you’ve taken down the worst of Louisiana and beyond, another organization is happy to take its place,” Logan says, and he’s not wrong. That’s exactly like it is.
“It’s exhaustin’,” Brew agrees, “but it’s what we have to do.”
“Well, you’ll be the first to know if anythin’ changes,” I say. “Is class dismissed?”
Brew tosses a balled up paper cup at me and I dodge it.
“I’ll take it, that’s a yes.”