Trying to be polite, I take her bag and place my hand at her lower back, gently guiding her forward because I can see she’s tired. But Cami shrugs my hand away, visibly creating distance like she can’t stand to be near me.
Fuck.
I lead her to my truck and open the passenger-side door. Knowing she’ll need help, I hold out my palm. Camille is tall for a woman. She’s 5’11” with long legs that seem to go for miles. Legs a man can wrap around his waist and stay anchored to his woman as he’s fucking her hard against a wall or even in bed as he’s pounding into her.
Christ. I need to get my head on straight and outta the gutter.
My truck sits high because of the tires. It’s not an ego thing. I often have to drive to job sites in wooded areas without roads. Usually, the trails are through the grass or deep mud. I have to drive a vehicle that can handle that, or I’ll get stuck.
Cami sighs as she reaches out to place her palm in mine.
I don’t hesitate to grab her by the waist and hoist her up, helping plant her delicious bottom in the seat.
She sends me a glare for the effort.
Worth it.
I climb inside the truck and turn up the heat because she’s only wearing a light jacket, and it’s fall in Ohio. The weather can’t seem to decide what it wants to do. Since it’s early in the morning, nearly sunrise, it’s chillier than she’s used to in L.A.
Cami shivers.
“Need a blanket? I keep one in the backseat.”
“No. You’ve got the heater on,” she points out, huddling in her jacket like she’s freezing to death.
Another reason she needs to come home to stay: She’ll get used to the weather again.
I focus on the drive to give her a minute to warm up.
Cami’s stare swings my way. “How’s my Granny?”
“She inhaled smoke, and her arm was burned. There’s a cut on her head, but I don’t know how it happened.”
“Haven’t you been to the hospital yet?”
I nod, hating I don’t know more to tell her. “Yeah, but I haven’t been able to see or speak to her since the ambulance took her away.”
“Where were you, Rex? Why was my Granny alone?”
The question sounds accusatory, and it isn’t fair. She knows it. I know it. But, if she wants someone to blame right now, I’ll shoulder it for her. Until I find the motherfucker who did it.
“I was at The Barn. Didn’t know your Granny stayed at the Butter Bliss so late, or I would’ve been there to take her home.”
That was the truth.
“She must have fallen behind on orders.” Cami’s shoulders droop. “I keep telling her to hire more help. She can afford it from all the drug money she makes off your club.”
I snort. Drug money. What a way to describe it. I’m not gonna get roped into an argument, so I shrug. Not gonna touch that sentence with a twelve-foot fucking pole.
Sure, our club gives Granny THC to put in her brownies and baked goods, which, in turn, she sells back to us for a profit. It’s not drug money per se, but I’m not gonna rile up Cami any more than she already is because of a difference in opinion. Plus, Granny Jo enjoys as much of the product as she wants. It’s no hardship.
“She’s gonna be okay, Cami.” I don’t know if I’ll piss her off with those words, but I believe them.
“My Granny is tough. Iknowshe’ll be okay.” Cami’s chin lifts as I glance her way. “I still want to know why your club isn’t protecting my grandmother.”
Fuck.
“We do, Cami. Someone checks in every day. She’s not had any problems, or I would have been there.”
