“You expect me to believe this wasn’t something to do with you? With thisclub?” He spat the last word out like it was something vile.
“Hey man,” War said, in his most affable voice, there was some chuckling coming from behind him. “I’m not sure what you’re trying to accuse us of. I’d say we’re the ones who should be pissed right about now. We were expecting work to be going on with our build and yet, no one showed up today.”
Andrew’s face was bright red, but he wasn’t stupid. He was out manned here.
“In fact, you could tell us how you’re going to ensure this job continues. We’re paying you. Right?”
Andrew was struggling to keep it together, but the smarmy charm he had been known for in high school was returning. He knew War was right. He was going to lose the job without workers, just like we intended. And he had no proof we had anything to do with this. He took in a huge, deep breath, just as Hudson came up behind me, his chest pressed into my back.
“You’re in trouble for ignoring me.”
I shivered at the tone while bristling at the same time. The movement drew Andrew’s eyes to us, dipping to where Hudson had put a hand on my hip, securing me to him like I was going to run over to Andrew. If anything, Hudson was the one who would need to be restrained. I could feel the anger vibrating through him, right through his hand where it touched me.
Andrew laughed, low and sarcastically. “Now I see what this is,” he said, aiming his glare at me. “This is because of you.”
“Why would it be because of my sister, Reinhart?” Warren stepped closer to him. “What do you mean by that?”
Andrew realized his mistake instantly, and I saw him blanch before he wiped it away, covering his slip up with a wry shake of his head. “Only that when I bumped into Wave at the party the other day I wanted to catch up, and maybe she misconstrued.”
“Don’t,” Hudson said in a low voice. I didn’t want anyone to explicitly let Andrew know what we were doing, whether everyone here understood it for what it was or not. I gripped his other hand but kept them behind my back so Andrew couldn’t see me reigning him in.
“I think my sister is more than capable of seeing that wedding ring on your finger, Reinhart.”
“Of course. And I meant nothing by that. Waverley knows that, don’t you?” his gaze came back to me.
I could see and hear the underlying threat. He wanted me to keep my mouth shut. He’d walked into the lion’s den without thinking it through. I wasn’t sure what brought him here today, whether he’d been contacted to say no one showed up or if the workers had walked out and he’d comeover here immediately on the offence. Either way, he’d messed up. He straightened up his tie, smoothing it down the front of his shirt.
“There has been a misunderstanding with the guys, some mix-up over what days they should be on site, I’m sure. I’ll make sure that they’re back to work soon.”
“You better,” Warren said. “We can’t have a half-completed project, Reinhart. What is that going to say about your company? We’re paying you enough.”
Now Warren was taunting him too. Fuck these idiot men.
“Of course. I’ll get this sorted out.”
Warren gave him a look, then turned to head back to the clubhouse, winking at me before realizing what I was wearing and how close Hudson was to me. He raised his brows and Hudson’s hand clenched at my hip, but I shook my head subtly, telling Warren to keep his mouth shut. I was sure we were going to be ribbed about this once the outsider was off the compound.
The other guys had gotten bored or thought there was no real threat and started going back inside or heading to the garage. A couple of them went to their bikes.
“So this is a thing again, huh?”
I turned back to Andrew. Only Hudson and I were close enough to hear him speak this time. He was sneering at us and looked as if he was on the verge of saying something stupid. Did he not know that he wasn’t out of danger? In fact, taunting Hudson was the worst thing he could do right now. The biggest threat to his safety, his life even, was growling low behind me.
“You should leave.” I told him, lifting my chin at Andrew. “Go sort out your business.”
He scoffed, glanced at the clubhouse to see most of the people had disappeared. “You think I don’t know you had something to do with this?”
“Prove it.” I folded my arms over my chest. Andrew’s face went redder than it had before. None of that stoicism to keep himself calm remained.
“You know I had her first.”
Oh Shit.
Hudson was out from behind me faster than I had seen anyone move. I lunged after him, grabbing his cut, which I just realized was all he hadon with his jeans, because I was wearing his t-shirt. I was no match for him. He was too strong, and he slipped through my hands. I looked beyond him to see Andrew squaring up to him, ready for a fight.
“Hudson, stop it,” I threw myself at his side, knocking him off balance. I got in front of him. He was glaring over my shoulder at Andrew. The veins in his neck were straining and his jaw was tight enough to break his teeth. “He wants you to do this. He’s goading you. Stop.”
“I’m going to fucking kill him,” he snarled, trying not to hurt me but still trying to get around me.
