I have to call Josie. Not because I want to—not because I’ve been looking for an excuse to hear her voice for eight months—but because the club needs her. It’s business. Professional. Completely legitimate.
You’re pathetic, Armstrong.
Maybe. But I’m already pulling up her number.
She answers on the third ring. “Stone.”
Just my name. Cool and professional. There’s no warmth. No hint of the tension that used to simmer between us.
I deserve it. Doesn’t mean I have to fucking like it.
“Josie. Where are you?”
“Just leaving the office. Why?”
I glance at the clock, frowning. It’s late, far too late for her to be working. Far too late for her to still be working, but that’s Josie—she doesn’t know how to quit. She’s probably been running on caffeine and spite for hours. She must be exhausted, and here I am adding another issue to her already full plate.
I’m not sorry for it though.
“I have a problem. One of the prospects got into a tangle over at Ole Killa. He’s been arrested.”
“What are they charging him with?”
“Aggravated assault. He was protecting a woman who was being harassed and only hit when the other guy took a swing. Pity for him, the guy went down hard and happens to be rich.”
She curses softly. I hear the click of a car door. “Okay, I’ll head over and?—”
“I’m coming to get you.”
“That’s not necessary. I can meet you at?—”
“I’ll be at your place in fifteen minutes.”
“Stone.” Her voice sharpens with irritation. “I’m perfectly capable of driving myself.”
“Josie.” I let her name hang there. “It’s after ten. I’m gonna assume you’re running on caffeine and fumes. Let me come get you.”
Silence. I hold my breath.
“Anyone ever tell you, you’re a bossy bastard?”
I chuckle, tension bleeding out of my shoulders. “You’re the only one brave enough to bust my balls, honey.”
Honey.
The word slips out before I can catch it.
Goddamn.
The pause that follows is loaded. I can almost hear her deciding whether to call me on it.
“Fine,” she says instead, letting it go. “Fifteen minutes.”
“I’m already on my way.”
I hang up and head for my bike, ignoring the curious looks from my brothers. Let them wonder. Right now, I don’t care about anything except the fact that in fifteen minutes, I’m going to see Josie Bright.
It’s just business,I tell myself as I kick the engine to life.Nothing more.
