“…Camile doesn’t…”
I hear my name and pause. I only caught a couple of words, but they’re talking about me. Feeling a little guilty, but not enough to stop me, I carefully rest my ear against the wood, listening.
“My concern is that she may not be safer here than at the college if we’re about to start a war with a rival club.”
That’s Ghost; I’m sure of it.
The deep rumble that is Jack’s voice answers. “She’s still much safer here. We have a lot more coverage here with the size of the place than the security at the college, and she can be watched day and night. I gave her some leeway, but that ends now. If we’re doing this and going after those Revenants bastards, she’s going to have security outside her place twenty-four-seven.”
“I say we don’t rush in.” Ghost speaks up again. “Let’s give it a few days before we retaliate. They can’t hit us here. They’re not big enough, and they clearly wanted our attention with this stunt, so if we retaliate right away, we’ll only be giving them what they want. I say let them stew.”
“It’s an attack that can’t be left unanswered, though.” Jack’s voice is the most serious I’ve heard it. “It would make us look weak, and a weak MC is a dead MC.”
“No, we go in, but not right away. We’re strategic about it, and we still need to narrow down exactly how we’re going to do it.”
Shit, I’m not supposed to be listening to this. It’s all stuff I shouldn’t be party to. I’m about to turn and go back the way I came when the door from the bar swings open and a man strides out. He stops and stares at me.
Oh, crap, do I look like I was listening in? I can’t turn and walk away now, so I do the only other thing I can think of. I briskly rap on the door and walk inside.
Four sets of faces turn to stare at me. Not only do I have Jack and Ghost in front of me, but Ace is here, too, and the VP they call Smokie Saul. If I’d known there were going to be so many of them, I might have thought twice.
“What do you want?” Jack snaps.
I have no idea what to say. “Um, can we talk after this meeting?” My voice shakes, and I curse myself. So much for being my father’s daughter.
Jack watches me, a muscle ticking in his jaw, and there’s something in his gaze when he looks at me. Is that guilt? Was he the one behind me last night?
But then my eyes pivot to Ace, and he’s grinning in that secretive way he sometimes has, and I have to wonder if it was him.
God, this is awful. Do they know what happened last night in the clubhouse? Have they all talked about it behind my back? No, Jack would lose his shit, for sure, and if it was him, he’d never tell anyone else.
“We’re discussing club business, Camile. No women allowed.”
“God, I thought the cartel were fossils.” I roll my eyes.
Jack blows out a breath and steeples his fingers at hislips. “Stop being a brat. Listen, Ace talked to me earlier about how he was worried you’d be feeling isolated and alone, especially after losing your father.”
He did? My gaze darts to Ace, who grins like a Cheshire Cat. I hadn’t thought he’d given a shit about my feelings.
Jack continues. “So, I figured you could use a friend. Vani is on her way over with her men. I’m sure you’d like to spend some time with her.” Jack gestures toward the door with a flick of his fingers. “Why don’t you go and wait for her? When she arrives, tell her I’m dealing with business, but I’ll catch up with her before she leaves again.”
I find myself softening. Both he and Ace have talked about my wellbeing and done something they hope will make me feel better, which means they actually give a shit. Is it possible they do actually care about me?
“Oh, and shut the door on your way out,” Jack adds.
“Yes, sir,” I say automatically, unable to keep the sarcastic edge out of my tone.
The sudden flare of hunger on his features makes me swallow hard, and I slip out of the room, my heart pounding.
Yes, sir?Why did I say that?
I’m excited to see Vani, but also a little nervous, what with me making it obvious I had heart eyes for her father, which has, understandably, made things between us more awkward than usual.
Back out in the sunshine, I wander slowly over to the massive gates for the compound. Before long, the familiar sight of Zane’s vehicle rolls into sight. I take a seat on a low wall and wait as they are waved in and park. I stand and wave at Vani as she exits the vehicle andsashays toward me. Her amazing curves are packed into a tight pair of jeans and a band t-shirt. She looks sexy and cute at the same time.
“Camile,” she says with a big smile.
We hug, and I think that maybe it’s all going to be okay.
