Gage
I'mearlytothismeeting at Club Red because I haven't been able to sleep, so I've been keeping busy.My black suit jacket feels too formal, too deliberate.Glancing at my watch, I wonder if I'll just live on the edge forever.I'm so deep in this world now that normal feels optional.
I take a breath.Tonight's meeting is with the founding members, Carter, Sawyer, Hunter, Ridge, Mase, Cade, and Troy.I've had productive conversations with them, but this feels different.More political.More urgent.My chest twists.
I open the door and step inside, but stop dead when I pass a man leaning against the wall.He’s tall, polished, and wearing a black and silver suit.It's Dominic Keller, Dom Keller to most.He's known around the club for going through subs like most people do food.
Dom spots me, grins, and slides off the wall.He tilts his head, those gray eyes sharpening."Gage.Interesting night to see you here."He brushes a hand through his dark hair, voice casual but attention focused."Word is Skye's looking for a new play partner.When she's ready, you should throw my name in the ring."
My stomach lurches.My jaw tightens.It's not just the suggestion.It's the gall.My Skye.Not some prize to be tossed around while I'm holding the leash.I swallow.
"Don't," I say low, stepping closer."That's inappropriate."
He chuckles."Touchy.When you let her off the leash, man.What happens next isn't your call."
"She's not a prize.And this isn't a game."
Dom shrugs."We all know she's fire.Don't act surprised someone else noticed."
Moving into his space, my voice drops."You come near her without her say-so, we'll have more than words.That clear?"
He grins but steps back."Crystal."
Pushing past him, my jaw tight, I make myself calm down.I step into the private room where a solid table and cushy chairs await.Taking my seat between Ridge and Troy, I force my pulse to steady.
Sawyer eyes me."Gage.You alright?"
I hesitate, then blow out a breath."Ran into Dom Keller on the way in.He made a comment about Skye and implied she's open to new partners.It was out of line.Essentially, he wanted me to throw her to him when I was done with her.He wasn't nice about it either."
Hunter frowns."Dom Keller?He's always been a bit much."
"But he knows that isn't how we do things either," Carter says.
Ridge shakes his head."He doesn't know when to keep things professional."
"I'll talk to him and review the camera.That sounds like it's a strike on his card and a thirty-day ban," Hunter adds.
The thought of him not being around for the next thirty days calms me slightly.
"Carter, can you..."I can’t bring myself to say the words, to ask him to tell her and give her a heads-up when I want to be the one to do it.I want to be the one protecting her.
"I'll tell her," he says, reading my mind.
Sawyer leans forward."You good?"
I straighten."I'm good.Just wanted to be transparent.It's got me on edge, but I'm focused."
Hunter clears his throat."Let's start with protocol.We've got media leaks again."
A gust of concern hits the room.Zander, our head of security, is flanking the entrance tonight.He stands silent by the door, eyes sharp.I know he has Paul, the security guy, on the camera.That guy is a master at catching things most others miss.
Ridge leans forward."Photos were leaked of Mase's guy, Lucien, and a couple of other names.Press ran it this morning."
Troy, playing diplomat as always, rubs his beard."Security tells me it was photos from a parked car doing surveillance.The building owner didn't flag it, and didn't know what it was."
Hunter's voice is tight."We can't run blind.With Mase linked to this place, we have to lock down security."
Carter's already there."I've talked to the building owners around the club.I've put in offers to buy what parcels I can.The rest are cooperating so I can build a wall along the back and sides, blocking view from down the street."He taps his phone."Security cameras are going up on all of them.Got the final approval this morning.Give me a week to wrap it."
