Gent glanced back atJane.
“Good girl,” he whispered, and Cleo clenched her teeth.
He was purposely toying with her. It was Gent’s MO, but given her current situation it wasn’t appropriate.
“Want a name, Burke?”
“If she’s gonna be coming in, I got a right to know.”
Gent circledJane’sback, bracing his arms around her and placing them on the counter, caging her in. She shrunk slightly. But he never touched her.
“Well, then let me do the introductions. Burke here is the owner of this store you’ll be acquainted with if you enjoy the finer things, like eating. And Burke? Meet” —Gent paused and his face hardened to the point of menacing— “Jane fucking Doe, newest inductee to the club protection program. Same as Cleo, which means anything she wants? She gets. You put it on the club’s tab. Understand?”
“Yeah.”
Gent smiled. “And when she walks in that door, you’re gonna say, “Hi Jane.” Every time, so you better start practicing. ’Cause if I hear that you miss even one fucking time? I’m gonna come in and cut your fucking tongue out.”
Cleo gasped.
“Not a problem, Gent.”
“Didn’t think there would be one.” Gent stepped back and waved to the counter. “Let’s go, man, don’t got all day.”
Burke tallied up the bill and bagged everything. Cleo grabbed half of them, and they started to walk to the door. Just as they passed Gent,Janewhispered. “Thank you.”
Gent grinned, eyeing the woman who refused to look at him.
“It’s my pleasure, darlin’.”
They walked out, and Cleo heard her inhale a deep breath.
“You okay?” Cleo asked.
“I’m fine, I just…”
“Gent can be a jerk sometimes.”A lot of times.“But he won’t hurt you.”I don’t think.
Cleo trusted all the brothers, but there was always something about Gent. He was unpredictable, and she could never fully gauge if he was teasing or meant what he said.Janeglanced over her shoulder, looking through the glass of the store. Gent was walking toward the back. She stared until he disappeared from sight.
It was strange. Gent had been extremely intimidating, and she seemed nervous around him. But now? She wasn’t showing any signs of fear.
Weird.
****
“How’s domestic life?”
Wraith sighed. “Pink fucking towels all over the place, more throw pillows on the couch than I can count, and it smells like vanilla ’cause of all the candles she burns.”
The corner of Ace’s mouth quirked. His president could read beyond his harsh tone and mask. It was fucking good. He’d moved out of his room and into her house a few weeks ago.
“And the other one?”
Janehad only stayed a week at Minnie and Ralph’s before being moved to the old brothel.
“Cleo’s got her settled in the motel. She said she likes it, and she got tight with Minnie, so she’s been visiting her and Ralph.” Wraith sighed, folding his arms over his chest. “When she gets a little more comfortable, she can take over for Cleo with the cleaning around here.”
Gent laughed. “Still can’t believe you got the trafficked girl staying at the old whorehouse. Magnificent fucking idea. And everyone thinks I’m the biggest asshole in the club?”
