“Let Luca know if you disappear again, he’ll have to deal with us next time.” Arizona’s words send us into a fit of laughter, and for the first time in I don’t know how long, a twinge of happiness seeps in.
Chapter 16
Vee
Myphonestartsvibratingacross the counter while I’m wiping it down. I was tired of sitting around in the clubhouse while the club members partied, or hiding out in my room to avoid everyone. I decided to make some cookies. I’m not the best baker, but they are edible.
I turned my phone back on, fulfilling a promise I made to Arizona and Ash. They wanted to make sure I could keep in touch with them. I blocked Josh, Luke, and Hank, not that the latter has even bothered to try to contact me.
When my phone rings, I wipe my hands on my pants and pick it up, brows furrowing when I see it’s Mack. The only reason he would be calling me is if something happened to Ash.
I answer immediately. “Is she okay?”
“Calm down, woman. Ash and baby are fine. He’s still in her stomach, right where he needs to be. I just need a favor.”
I let out a sigh of relief, tucking the phone between my shoulder and ear as I open the oven and slide the sheet of cookies into it.
“Please, for the love of God, just tell me you’re not about to ask me for something ridiculous.”
He exhales like I just read his mind, but doesn’t say anything, only feeding into my belief that he is.
“That’s not a no,” I mutter. “So, I’m going to go ahead and tell you that you’re going to need to ask someone else.” I close the oven and lean against the counter, picking up my water and taking a swallow.
“Listen, Vee,” he says. “All I need is for you to bring Ash home from the baby shower. The guys and I, we umm… we’ve got… business. The kind that can’t wait. That Ash needs to be out of the house for us to do.”
“Because it’s Ash, you know I’ll say yes.” I hold back my laugh, trying to remain serious. “Do you need me to pick her up? If so, then I’ll need to come get her before heading over to the diner to help Melissa set up.”
“No. I can take her. I want to take her. Thank you, Vee. I’ll owe you one.”
I chew on my bottom lip, debating even bringing Mack into my drama.
“I’ll cash that favor in now. Can you make sure that Josh, Luke, and Hank are far from the diner today and your house? I’d really appreciate not having to run into them.”
There’s a pause on the line.
“Are you sure?” he asks carefully.
“Positive,” I reply. “I don’t want to see them. Not sitting in a booth, not leaning against the counter, not pretending they’re there for pie. Not some excuse for why they had to be at your house. Keep. Them. Away.” I make sure to emphasize the last three words, saying them loud and clear.
Mack doesn’t argue with me. “Okay. I’ll make sure they don’t come by.”
Good. That’s a stress off my shoulders tonight so I can truly be there for Ash.
Mack clears his throat, breaking the momentary silence. “So… when are you coming back to Hell’s Desire?”
My stomach tightens. It’s something I’ve been thinking about.
“Next week,” I say. “At least, that’s the plan. I need to talk to Bash.”
“And your apartment? Are you going back there?”
“I don’t know yet,” I admit. “I’m not sure I’m ready to move back. But I can’t stay here forever either. What’s with all the questions? Are you finding out information to run back and tell them?” My temper starts to boil. I know his loyalty lies with them, but I am his woman’s best friend. He should at least not want to get in the doghouse with her.
“You should sit down with them.” His voice is soft, calm, and full of emotion. Something I only detect when he’s talking to Ash.
I stiffen. They had their chance. Maybe I’m being a brat, but I have to protect my heart. “No.”
“The tension is obvious,” he continues. “Between the three of them. Earl’s noticed it too.”
