Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
SCARLETT
I show up a few minutes early, dressed in dark slacks, a nice top, and black heels. Sophie meets me at the front with a real hug instead of a handshake, pulling me in like family.
“Look at you,” she says, stepping back to look me over. “All grown up and professional. Come on, let’s walk and talk.”
She fills me in about what’s going on in the office. How many nurses and staff there are. Their hours of operation and the types of things they handle there. When we finally sit in her office, she leans back and gives me that same warm-but-sharp look she’s had since I was little.
“Alright, Scarlett. Tell me what you’ve actually been doing.
I know you’ve been on the road with Ethan, but I want the real details.
What did that look like day-to-day? I already know about the charity run a few weeks ago.
I watched you run that whole damn thing like a general.
Raised a lot of money for the kids. I was proud of you. ”
I take a breath and lay it out, knowing she already has the surface version.
“With Ethan, it was a lot more than just traveling. I was basically his unpaid personal assistant for the last couple of years. I handled his entire schedule around games, spring training, and travel, coordinating with his agent, the team’s media people, hotels, flights, everything.
I managed fan requests and charity appearances, kept his personal life from imploding while he was on the road, dealt with sponsorship obligations, and made sure nothing slipped through the cracks.
It was high-pressure, last-minute changes every other day, and I learned how to stay calm and professional even when people were demanding or the schedule was insane.
It taught me how to anticipate problems and keep a million moving pieces organized without someone telling me what to do next. ”
Sophie listens closely, nodding, clearly impressed by the specifics she hadn’t heard before.
“And the charity run,” I continue, “I ran point on the whole thing, sponsors, logistics, volunteers, the silent auction, marketing through the club channels, and making sure every dollar was tracked and got where it needed to go. We pulled in over forty-eight thousand that weekend. It was loud and chaotic and full of bikers, but it worked because I treated it like a real operation.”
She smiles, eyes crinkling at the corners.
“I remember watching you that day. You were everywhere at once, keeping everyone in line without raising your voice. Tank was bragging about ‘Piston’s girl’ all night.
You’ve got the skills, sweetheart. The question is whether you want to use them here, dealing with insurance headaches and cranky patients instead of MLB prima donnas. ”
“I do,” I tell her honestly. “This feels like the right kind of steady. I’m ready to learn the medical side fast and actually build something that matters.”
Sophie studies me for a long moment, then nods like she’s already made up her mind.
“Good. I still have one more person to talk to, but between what I already knew about you and what you just told me… you’re at the top of my list. I’ll call you by the end of the week.
In the meantime, if Tank corners you at the clubhouse, tell him I said he’s not allowed to scare you off before I’ve even offered you the job. ”
I leave the clinic feeling hopeful.
Me: Just left Sophie’s. Told her everything I used to do for Ethan. She seemed really impressed. Said I’m at the top of her list. Fingers crossed.
Tessa: That’s my girl!!! Sophie’s the best. Drinks tonight to celebrate early?
Me: Absolutely. See you there.
Tessa: I’ll be the short one behind the bar.
When I pull up to the house no one is home.
Mom is at her salon and Dad is in his security office at the clubhouse.
The quiet feels good after the chaos of the past couple of days.
I kick off my heels by the door, drop my keys in the bowl, and head straight to my room.
I curl up on the bed with my phone and start looking through my emails and mentally planning everything I need to take care of.
Rook: You home safe?
I bite my lip and type back.
Me: Yeah. House is empty. Just made coffee. You?
Rook: Clubhouse. Pres wants me on a quick run later.
Rook: I need to see you tonight.
I smile and type back.
Me: Grabbing drinks with the girls first, but I can stop by after.
Rook: Good. I’ll be waiting.
My phone rings while I’m in the middle of a list about inventory systems. Sophie’s name lights up the screen.
I answer fast, heart kicking up. “Hello?”
“Scarlett, it’s Sophie.” Her voice is warm but professional. “I know I said I’d call by the end of the week, but I didn’t see any point in dragging it out. I talked to the other candidate and… you’re the one I want. The job is yours if you still want it.”
I sit up straighter, a huge grin breaking across my face even though she can’t see it. “I want it. God, yes. Thank you, Sophie. I won’t let you down.”
“I know you won’t, honey. Can you start Monday? We’ll do paperwork and training this week so you’re not thrown in the deep end.”
“Monday’s perfect.”
We talk for a few more minutes, hours, pay, what my first week will look like. When I hang up I let out a whoop that echoes through the empty house. I immediately text Tessa and Rook at the same time.
Me to Tessa: SOPHIE JUST OFFERED ME THE JOB!!! I start Monday!!!
Me to Rook: Sophie called. The job is mine. I start Monday. I’m freaking out in the best way.
Tessa: DRINKS TONIGHT TO CELEbrATE BITCH!
Rook: Knew she’d pick you. Proud of you, baby. We’re celebrating tonight. I want you in my bed again. No sneaking out this time.
My cheeks heat. I type back slowly.
Me: We have to be careful. Dad can’t find out yet.
Rook: I’ll handle your dad when it’s time. Tonight you’re mine. Be ready for me.
I set the phone down and press my hands to my burning face, laughing a little.
Everything feels like it’s moving at warp speed, new job, whatever this explosive thing with Rook is, the constant low-level terror that my dad is going to find out and lose his mind.
But for the first time since I came home, the fear doesn’t completely drown out the excitement.
I spend the rest of the afternoon cleaning up, doing laundry, and trying, and failing, not to overthink. Around five I get another text from Rook.
Rook: Church ran long. I’ll be at my place by eight. Come over whenever you want. The door's unlocked.
I shower again, taking my time, shaving and moisturizing like I’m getting ready for a date even though we both know exactly what’s going to happen the second I walk through his door.
I pick out a simple black dress that hugs my curves and zips up the back, easy access, and leave my hair down in loose waves.
A little makeup, my favorite perfume, and I’m out the door before Mom gets home from the salon, but I text her on the way.
Me: Got the job at Sophie’s clinic. Starting Monday. Going out to celebrate with Tessa and the girls. Don’t wait up.
Mom: So proud of you, baby girl. Have fun. Be safe. And text me if you need anything.
Perdition is already buzzing when I walk in. Tessa spots me immediately from behind the bar and lets out a loud whoop that makes half the room turn and look. Erica and Hadley are already at our usual high-top, and the second I reach them Tessa is sliding a shot across the table toward me.
“To the newest clinic boss bitch!” she cheers, raising her own glass.
We clink and throw them back. The burn feels good.
For the next couple of hours I let myself just enjoy it, laughing with the girls, telling them about the interview with Sophie, how warm she was, how she already knew about Ethan and still wanted me anyway.
Tessa keeps the drinks coming and the teasing light, though she keeps giving me knowing looks every time my phone lights up with a text from Rook.
Around seven-fifty I finally push my stool back. “I should head out,” I say, trying to sound casual even though my pulse is already picking up at the thought of seeing him.
Tessa raises an eyebrow, smirking. “Early day tomorrow?”
She leans in and hugs me quick. “Have fun. And text me in the morning so I know you’re alive and not fucked into a coma.”
I hug Erica and Hadley goodbye and head straight from Perdition to Rook’s place. His front door is unlocked like he said. I step inside and the smell of him wraps around me immediately. The house is dim, only a couple lamps on. I hear the shower running down the hall.
I toe off my shoes and pad toward the sound, pulse racing.
The bathroom door is cracked, steam curling out into the hallway.
I push it open and step inside. Rook is already under the spray, water cascading down the hard planes of his back and over the dark ink covering his skin.
He turns at the sound, water dripping from his hair, eyes locking onto me instantly.
I take my dress off, then my panties and bra, and step straight into the shower with him.
The second my feet hit the wet tile, Rook is on me.
His big hands grab my waist and yank me against him, his mouth crashing down on mine in a rough, claiming kiss.
Water pours over both of us as he devours me, tongue sliding deep, teeth nipping at my lower lip like he’s been waiting all day for this.
“Fuck, baby,” he growls against my mouth, one hand fisting in my wet hair while the other palms my ass hard, squeezing. “Walking in here already naked for me? Such a good fucking girl.”
He spins me around and presses me face-first against the cool tile wall.
The contrast of hot water and cold surface makes me gasp.
He kicks my feet apart with his, one thick thigh sliding between mine to spread me open.
His cock, already rock-hard, presses against my ass as he reaches around and cups my breasts, squeezing them roughly, thumbs flicking over my nipples until they’re tight and aching.