“There’s one more thing,” I say. “To sell this, people will expect you to be with me, sharing my personal space.”
She looks a bit bewildered. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying you need to stay in my suite. There’s plenty of space. And the door locks. You can have privacy. And it makes the relationship look real without either of us having to pretend too hard.”
She goes still for a second and then nods.
“Okay,” she says softly. “I’ll stay with you.”
Chapter 9
Emily
Onyx clears his throat. “Good. I’m glad that’s settled. Are you working today or did you and my ma decide to give you a day to get used to being at the clubhouse?”
“No. She said I could start right away.”
“If you’re ready, I’ll walk you back to the office and get you set up.”
I nod, trying not to get emotional again. I’m staying in his suite and we’re going to be presenting as a couple. I don’t know if that means to everyone or just the authorities. I’m going to have to ask about that. I have to remind myself that this is Onyx. I know he’s a good man. Sure, this will be getting closer than we’ve ever been, but I can trust that I’ll be safe staying at his place.
I follow him as he turns away from the table. My heart beats a little faster when I realize I’m about to walk through the Sons of Rage clubhouse for the first time in years. My grandfather never brought me here once I hit adolescence. He said it was no place for a lady.
I’ll be working and living here. Which means I’ll get to see the inner workings of this legendary club. In this town, some fear them and others worship them. Me? I’ve always just accepted them as my next door neighbors and left it at that.
The moment we move through the bar area, I see people glancing in our direction. Conversations don’t stop, but theyglance up from their drinks and food. There are some interested expressions on several brothers’ faces, as their attention moves from me to Onyx and back again. They don’t say anything and thankfully, no one stares too long. Still, it’s a bit unnerving.
I’m also very aware that walking with Onyx changes how I’m seen. I’m no longer the mousy little bookworm, now that I’m walking with one of their club officers. That feels weird. I have to get my head around the fact that he’s important and high status in this environment.
He slows so I can keep up with him. I concentrate on staying close enough that I don’t feel left behind but not so close that it feels like I’m on his heels.
“Most of the offices are this way,” he says, gesturing to the right with one hand towards a hallway. “Some areas are open to everyone. Some aren’t. If you ever find that you’re not sure, just ask. No one will give you a hard time for it because I’ll beat their ass.”
I can tell by the tone of his voice that he’s joking but I can’t help but remember how he beat the intruder nearly to death at my cabin.
His eyebrow flies up when I don’t laugh. I realize that I’ve slowed down to put space between us without realizing it. I’m shocked at my own hesitation. I’m not afraid of him. I’m not.
The clubhouse is busy, but not chaotic. There are women moving around with purpose. It takes me a second to realize they’re cleaning and carrying laundry. I remember Onyx mentioning to me once that they earn their keep, so I guess that makes sense. As we walk down the hallway, one of the club girls turns to glance over her shoulder at me and Onyx, her expression is blank. She has a good poker face, I’ll give her that.
We pass a group of men arguing good-naturedly over car parts. One of them glances over at Onyx. Onyx stops to introduce me.
“Jinx, this is Emily. Emily, Jinx is our sergeant-at-arms.”
He glances from me to Onyx and asks, “Is she yours?”
“Hell the fuck yes, she is. So, hand off, you brazen fucker.”
I know Onyx has always cursed a lot, so I’m not surprised by his language. Plus I can tell he’s joking because Jinx laughs.
“You better put a property cut on what’s yours before someone tries to seal her away.”
Onyx folds his arms over his chest. “She’s more than just a pretty face. She’s gonna be working with me in the office. Ma hired her this morning to archive all our club records.”
“That makes her double trouble, pretty and smart too.”
“Fuck all the way off. And tell Threads to fix my Emily up with a property cut at his earliest convenience.”
“You got it Onyx,” Jinx says good-naturedly before strolling off.
