“I don't like to admit my age, but I feel a million years old," Zee grumbled in the car on the way down to Club Bandit.
"Recovering from Roger and Nico take time."She couldn't hold back her laugh though, even as she tried to soothe him because she knew that being around his teammates brought all his fears of aging to the surface.
Zee's eyes crinkled as he laughed with her.
“Always good to see them, but I’m glad those two are out of my hair.Were they always that loud?”Zee cocked an eyebrow at her.
“I couldn’t say."
“How was your day?”
Ella shifted on the seat, not wanting to tell Zee about the call with Madison, at least not yet.
She wanted to get through this class that she and Helena had on the schedule for months.
“Kayleigh asked me to watch Luna last minute.”
“And you said yes.I think you do too much sometimes, dear heart.”
“I didn’t mind.She got called to work, and I could help.”Ella glanced out the window, a wave of regret crashing over her.
When she was a young mother with two toddlers to look after, her family was too far away to call for help.
But it worked out,she told herself fiercely.
“You and Helena enjoy your class.I have a meeting back at the house.”
“It’s a small group, we’ll be fine.”Ella leaned over for a kiss.
“I know.”The look of admiration Zee gave her made her nipples tighten under her corset.
“I’d better get in there.”
“Bye love.I’ll see you in an hour.”
Ella climbed out of the car, and waved as Zee returned up the hill.
Her chest hummed with a sense of absence from being away from him.
“Ella!Let’s get this class started!”Helena opened the front door of Club Bandit.“It’s going to be great.”
"With us teaching it's going to be five stars," Ella hurried up the steps to join her friend, grateful for everything she and her husband had built as she took in the view from the steps of Club Bandit.
10 ZEE
Ashedrovebackto the house, he caught sight of a black SUV and waited as it drove around the back of the property, coming to join him in the driveway.
River Stone, all thick muscle and watchful gaze, got out first, lifting his head to the sky before strolling over to shake Zee’s hand.His partner, Carter Keaton, followed, a laptop bag slung over his shoulder.
Carter ran a hand through his curly hair and flipped down his shades.
“Thanks for taking my call,” Zee extended his hand to River.
“I wouldn’t turn you down.”River clasped his hand firmly, and Zee laughed.
A few years ago, when River Stone and Xander Montague broke up their business partnership, sides were drawn, and Zee felt a stronger loyalty to Xander and delayed in approving River’s application to Club Bandit.
“I wouldn’t hold it against you if you did.Carter, good to see you.”
