“Don’t look at me,” I defend. “I’m as surprised as you.”
Blood rummages through the kitchen and living area. “Nothing.”
“And you didn’t have a fight or do some of your kinky shit on her?” Blood asks.
I cock my head. “Really, that’s all you got?”
“I know she was hiding something from us,” Maxie adds. “I’m guessing it’s not good, or she wouldn’t have run off.”
“Yeah, no shit.” I storm into the bedroom, and just as Maxie said, the drawers and closets are barren.
“And she didn’t see anybody else but you this morning.”
“Smoke came by this morning, but she was still in bed.”
“What did you talk about?” Blood asks.
“He wanted to know what was goin’ on with her and me, but I played it down, told him I really wasn’t that into her.”
Blood shoots me a look. “Completely different from what you told me earlier.”
“The picture is getting clearer and clearer.” Maxie gazes up at the ceiling, then back at me. “And how exactly did you tell Smoke you weren’t that into her?”
I relive the conversation, then glance down at the hardwood floor. “I might’ve said something about the club being my first priority.”
“Nothing wrong with that,” Blood says.
“Go on.” Maxie narrows her eyes.
“And how she was hot as fuck.”
“That could be taken as a compliment,” Blood adds as he looks through the closets.
“Then I agreed with Smoke when he said, ‘Pussy is pussy, but the club is forever.’”
“What is that, some twisted motto?” Maxie groans. “The Harlots talk about sisterhood, strength, and acceptance, so I guess it’s fitting the Bastards talk about pussy. Anything else?”
“I might’ve mentioned how Smoke couldn’t blame me for wanting to get my dick wet with a hot piece of ass.”
“Ohhhh, for fuck’s sake.” Maxie points at me. “She most definitely heard you. And you’re wondering why she took off.”
“I only said that ‘cause I figured that’s what he wanted to hear.”
“It doesn’t matter if she heard it.”
Blood rejoins us in the living room. “Smoke said he was gonna have a talk with her.”
“What?” Maxie and I say in unison.
“He called me this morning, said he was gonna have a few words with her about her connection with Benito. Kinda feel her out and make sure she doesn’t interfere with the shit we got goin’ on with them.”
“Son of a bitch.” I slam my palm against the wall. “And you didn’t think to mention this earlier today when I was telling you I wanted to claim her?”
Blood shrugs. “I didn’t think it was important.”
“He probably spooked her,” Maxie says.
“Nah, I think he was just gonna talk to her,” Blood says.
