“You need to focus on the opening of the club, and I need to focus on finding my sister. I’ve been too wrapped up in this.” I motioned between him and me. “I need to get back to what I was doing before this.”
Machine’s nostrils flared with anger. “Why can’t we do those things together? Fuck Jess, I’m not on one knee asking you to marry me. I tell you I love you, and you just fucking leave like I mean nothing to you!”
“We are all wrong for one another,” I cried back.
Machine took a predatory step back toward me until our chests were touching. “Baby, we are perfect for one another. I see it, why can’t you?”
“It’s not that simple, I need to focus?—”
“I know, on finding your sister. But that’s how this all started, and I plan to continue helping you find her.” He cupped my tear-stained cheek. “Why can’t you accept my love?” His voice was tender now, full of emotion.
“I just can’t.”
I pushed on his chest again. This time, he moved with the shove and let me walk away. Tears fell freely from my eyes as I walked home, leaving the man that I did, in fact, love, in the dust.
FORTY-ONE
MACHINE
It had been eight months. Eight months of avoiding each other whenever our paths crossed. Eight months of not speaking. Eight months of my heart walking around outside of my body. Any time we saw each other, she avoided me like the plague. I looked at myself in the mirror and fixed my black tie for the tenth time.
Tonight, Oasis, previously known as Olympus, was opening. I had shoved my entire being into making this project happen and made sure everything was perfect as Kade and Evelyn navigated being almost parents. She was due any day now, and the poor girl looked so uncomfortable.
Stefanos had been eerily quiet for the past six months, putting Kade and me on edge. Something was coming, and we just weren’t sure what.
I arrived at the club and admired how elegant everything looked. The entire club was painted black and accented with red satin strips cascading along the ceiling and down the walls, flowing from a crystal chandelier at the center of the room. The main club mimicked the lobby, however, private rooms were sectioned off by more fabric. All of the staff wore black slacks,white button-down shirts, black vests and bow ties, and red satin pocket squares.
I adjusted my bow tie as I spoke to Amber, our new club manager.
“Looks pretty great, huh?” she asked brightly.
She wore a stunning black satin dress with red heels, her brunette hair styled in an updo. She was beautiful, and I knew she wanted me, but I only had eyes for one woman. One woman who I knew would be here tonight.
I took a sip of my whiskey. “Yes, you guys did an excellent job.”
Amber beamed at my praise. I didn’t hear her response because I felther. I knew the second Badger walked into the lobby of the club. I turned and saw her talking to Phantom and giving her a hug. Badger wore a breathtaking red satin floor-length gown, her hair styled in a high ponytail, and sexy red lipstick. I felt my cock twitch in my pants, the first sign of life in ages.
My eyes followed Badger as she and Phantom walked to the bathroom.
“You good, bro?” asked Kade, who was now standing next to me. Amber was gone.
I took another sip of my whiskey. “Yeah, I’m good.”
Before Kade could pry, a startled Badger barged out of the restroom and ran over to us. I searched her frantic eyes for answers.
“Kade!” she called out.
Kade was immediately on alert, ready to take down any threat.
“Badge, what’s wrong?” I asked.
Badger ignored me and tried to catch her breath. “It’s baby time!”
Emery was born at eleven thirty-seven that night. My best friend, my brother, and his beautiful girlfriend had just brought into the world the most beautiful baby girl I had ever seen. I never knew how to act around kids, let alone babies, so I waited until the next day to visit.
The members of the Hive and the Elite Squad had already made appearances, bringing balloons and gift baskets. The private hospital room looked like the party section and baby section of a department store had thrown up in it.
“Move out of the way, Nail,” my blonde bombshell said as she barged into the room and stormed to the sleeping child.
