My smile widens as I stand, tilting my head so I can meet his deathly gaze. “I’ll be waiting for you when you do, brother,” I growl back, sounding every bit like the Stryker I now am. Has he forgotten what happened last time he came for me? Surely not.
His scowl deepens then he turns and storms out of the room. My heart races like crazy, adrenaline dancing through me. Did I really just put my brother in his place? I never imagined how damn good that would feel.
Asher lifts me into his arms and spins me round. “I’m so fucking proud of you, princess.”
“Asher.” I slap his back playfully. “We’re in a meeting,” I remind him, knowing Alex Moretti doesn’t need to see our carrying on. He came to show his support, but this is a bit much in front of him.
Asher sets me down on the ground with a stupid grin that tells me he doesn’t really care where we are or who’s watching us.
I take my seat back at the table, more satisfied than I have been in so long. Collecting up the signed papers, I hand them to Sloane, trying to play it cool.
“Bet that felt good.” She grins at me.
“Shouldn’t have underestimated me.” I smirk back.
“Well, I guess it’s official, the next generation of Morettis and Strykers are about to show them all how it’s done. I look forward to seeing what you two make of your business and working closely with you. Congratulations, girls.” Alex’s deep voice resonates through the room before he stands from his spot at the table. He takes my hand and offers a firm handshake.
“Thank you.” I beam back at him. He still scares me a little, but I think his heart is in the right place, and I’m grateful for his help. I have also now met his girl Harley, and the two of us are becoming fast friends. Just another awesome part of my new life in Ravens Hollow.
“Asher, Sloane, you will have to excuse me, I have a flight to catch, with sleepless nights awaiting me and a new club to run.” He nods in their direction.
“Congratulations, Alex. Tell my girl Harley I’ll be home to visit my little twins in a couple of days,” Sloane calls back to him.
“Will do.” With a smile I don’t think I have ever seen from him, he turns and leaves us alone, off to join his family and his new babies.
“What did he mean a new club to run? I didn’t know Alex bought some new place,” I ask the others. It feels like a dig that I should know something about.
Asher rolls his lips, a flash of guilt in his pretty eyes.
My eyes narrow, and my hands fly to my hips. “Don’t keep shit from me,” I warn him.
Sloane stands, coming around to us. She leans into the table, a slight cheeky grin on her face. “Probably time one of you told her,” she snips, a hand coming to her waist as she gives her brother that look that says “us girls will always stick together.”
“Told me what, Ash?”
He runs a hand through his hair, looking between us with a guilty-as-hell expression. “Jagger didn’t want to make a big deal about it.”
The look on his face gives me a horrible sinking feeling. He doesn’t have to say what Jagger did, I already know. “The deal he made with Alex for me,” I gasp, hoping to God it’s not true.
He takes my hand in his. “He would have done anything for you, princess. We all would. The Precinct was just a club.”
“Don’t go underselling it, Asher, we all know that place was his life before Daisy came along, and now, she’s his life. Jagger finally grew the fuck up, and I for one love this new side of my big brother. He should be boasting about it.”
I cover my chest, immediate guilt eating at me. “He didn’t have to… he shouldn’t have.” Tears well in my eyes. Today was emotional enough, but knowing the sacrifice he made for me is too much.
“See, Sloane, this is why we didn’t tell her, now she feels bad.” Asher pulls me closer, trying to comfort me as I try not to cry.
“I would do it again in a heartbeat, to keep you safe and living the life you want, flower,” comes Jagger’s voice from behind us. I turn to see him and Cruz approaching. They had left us earlier,saying they had some business to do while I had my meeting. Very cryptic, but I let it slide because I was focused on what I needed to do today.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, my head dropping. There is no way I can ever make it up to him.
His arms wrap around me, and he pulls me into his chest. “Don’t be. It was time to let go of my past anyway. That club had more bad memories than good ones. Spending time with you helped me to see it for what it was.” He kisses my hair. “Alex just gave me the push I needed to open space for something new.”
“Something new?” I ask, not sure what he’s going on about.
“I have a few ideas in the pipeline; some clubs Romeo wants a little collaboration on within Italy, for starters.”
And now his meetings today make more sense.
