I fire a text back, saying I should be there when he talks with Saul, but he replies that he’ll fill me in later, and he wants someone calm with Camile in case she wakes up.
Perfect.
He’s right, though. Ace is not calm, not by any stretch of the imagination.
“I gotta go,” I tell Rook.
Without waiting for his reply, I storm off in the direction of Jack’s house. I resist the urge to stop at my place first and grab a cigarette. I rarely smoke, but some days, when the stress gets a lot, I’ll have a cigarette. I think it’s having something to do with my hands, and it soothes me.
I arrive at Jack’s place and raise my fist to knock, butthe door swings open before I can connect. God, he’s eager to get going.
Jack waves me in and in a low voice tells me that Camile is fast asleep in his bed.
“I’ll make this quick,” he says. “I need to let Saul know what’s going on, though. You guys are all aware of the basics, but he’s not.”
Maybe he should be, I think, but don’t say it out loud. Saul has been with Jack forever, but sometimes I think he’s a lazy fucker, and he’s not the best person for the VP role. It’s not my place to say, though, so I merely nod.
“I’ll make sure she’s safe.”
“Don’t let anyone in but me, and this evening, we need a Church meeting. Security has to be upped, and we all need to be extra vigilant.”
When he says a ‘Church’ meeting, I know he’s not planning on praying. They’re what we call our formal meetings where club structure and discipline are maintained. Only patch-holding members get to attend, and the attendance is mandatory if you want to remain part of the MC.
“Sure thing. What time? I’ll send a text around.”
“Let’s make it about eight, as the day is already getting away from us. We can ask Ace to stay and guard Camile.”
“He likes her,” I point out.
“Yeah, and maybe she likes him, and that’s all for the best.” He speaks from between clenched teeth, like it physically hurts to get the words out.
“You wouldn’t care?” It’s a risky question, but, come on, he’s in so much denial.
He glares at me. “Why the fuck would I? I’m going to be late.”
Jack pushes past me and lets himself out of the door, leaving me alone in his silent house.
There are a few simple homes on this compound, and the dorm building provides places for members to sleep, too. Some practically live on the compound full time, while others have homes to go to on the outskirts of town, but even they still spend plenty of time here.
The more senior members all live here for now. We’re setting up a business, too, and we can’t be leaving the place open to attack. It means this is our home for the immediate future.
Jack’s couch is big and comfy, so I make myself at home and turn on the TV. I keep the volume low and turn it to a sports channel, so I can mindlessly watch something.
I’m almost dozing off when I hear a sound come from upstairs. It’s a faint, low moan, and I sit up so I can hear better. It comes again, the sound pained, and I’m on my feet before I even think.
In the hallway, I toe off my boots so I won’t make a ton of noise on the stairs and head up to see if Camile is okay.
I’m not remotely ready for the sight that greets me. When I push open the door to Jack’s room, my mouth falls open.
Camile has thrown the covers from her body and is laid on her back, one arm over her head on the pillow, and the other wrapped around her stomach. She’s in panties and a bra-top, and most of her long, slim legs are on display. As is her toned waist, her soft stomach, and the curve of her hips. Her skin is flawless, and I can’t take my eyes off her.
Her jeans are on the floor, and her top is by her on the bed, telling me she got hot and stripped it off.
Just because I hardly ever let myself be with a woman doesn’t mean I’m made of stone, and I stare at her for a long beat.
“Oh, God… Yes… Please.” Her words are mumbled and sound slurred as if she’s drunk, but I know it’s just the dream making her words almost unintelligible, except that please, which is clear as day, and sounds pained.
She mutters something else, but it doesn’t make sense to me. I think maybe it’s Spanish. I know a little, but I don’t recognize what she says.
