Crystal swivels and rushes down the hall, returning with a broom and dustpan. Before she bends over, I spot the tears spilling down her cheeks. I consider offering her some help, but the anger I see in her expression keeps me seated. I have a feeling that Crystal and I are never going to be best friends.
“Anyway, if we’re done with breakfast, we should get going,” Chill says, dismissing the goings on behind her. “Viper and Bianca need to check in and get registered as models. Who is coming with us?”
“Randy is going to meet with your contact in the CPD. Hunter and I will be going with you,” Rattler says, before turning to Bush. “Unless you want one of us to go hunting with you?”
“That won’t be necessary,” Chrome says as he steps over to our table. “I just got word from Smoke. He landed and is heading here to help us corral the Bushrangers. He’s bringing a prospect with him, Izzy. Izzy can go with Chill and the others. She has a variety of skills. She’s going to act as a personal stylist for Bianca and Viper, so you’ll have another body providing protection.”
CHAPTER 21: BUSH
I sit back in my seat, finishing my coffee, and watch Zara and Tony disappear upstairs. Zara’s practically vibrating with excitement. She moves like inspiration has lit a fire under her boots—talking about garment bags, backup tights for the models, measuring tapes, pattern blocks, and that thick leather-bound portfolio she guards like it’s treasure. Since it holds every sketch and dream she’s bled onto paper, it is.
God, she’s beautiful when she’s like this. So focused and alive. I’m a goner.
I didn’t mean to fall this hard and fast. I wasn’t expecting to feel that twist in my chest when Zara smiles. Seeing her fit into my world without fear surprises me. I still see the young girl shining through whenever she talks about her designs. There is no denying she grew into a beautiful woman. One that I want to spend more time with. No, that’s not right. I need to be with her.
The scraping of the chair next to me across the concrete draws my attention. Arson drops down, lifts his coffee mug, and takes a long sip, smirking. “You look like you’re in a damn Hallmark movie, brother.”
I don’t bother glancing at him. “Shut up.”
He chuckles. “Didn’t think you had it in you. Bush, the ice-cold bastard, staring at a woman like she hung the moon.”
That gets a huff out of me. “I never thought I’d see her again,” I admit quietly. “Back then… I figured she’d be safer far away from me. Hell, she was just a kid, so I never saw her that way.”
“And now?”
I finally look at him. “Now I’ve spent time with her, I don’t want to let her go.”
Arson studies me for a beat, teasing grin softening. “Then don’t. Zara can work in the States. She’ll need a Visa; we could get that for her. ”
Upstairs, Zara laughs again, and my chest tightens.
I’m not letting her slip away, but what choice do I have if she chooses to leave?
“What if she decides to return home?” I ask.
“Does she want to go home? Have you asked her?”
I shake my head and smirk. “We didn’t do much talking last night.”
Arson chuckles.
The door to the clubhouse opens, and in walks Smoke with a beautiful woman wearing a prospect kutte. She’s tiny, but she wears an expression that says she’s seen much in this world. Smoke bumps fists with several members before he reaches us.
“Chrome, Bush, Arson,” Smoke says in greeting. “It’s been a while.”
“Not since Dante’s wedding,” Chrome says, slapping him on the back. “I remember you, Izzy, right?” He asks, addressing the prospect.
“Yes, sir,” she replies. “It’s nice to see you again. Who do I see about room arrangements?”
Chrome points to Sammy, who is behind the bar.
“She’s all business,” Smoke explains when we turn our attention to him after she takes off. “She’s nervous being here. She gets stoic when she’s nervous.”
“Why is she nervous?” I ask. “Is she worried about the assignment?”
Smoke chuckles. “No, she has a cool head when undercover. She heard about what happened when Babe and Min were here. She’s close to Min and knows what went down with Min’s cousin.”
Min and Babe had come to Chicago as bounty hunters to track down several escaped prisoners. A group of men arrested for murdering pregnant women to steal their babies escaped from jail with the help of a crooked cop. While in Chicago, Min discovered her cousin, Fenhua, was in town searching for his parents. Her cousin’s parents were leaders of the Triad back in China. We knew the parents were dead because we were in San Diego, attending Dante’s wedding, when the Triad attacked and lost. Fenhua captured Min to question her about his parents’ whereabouts. We rescued her, but he had inside help and escaped. Fenhua was still out there and a danger to Min and Fenhua’s brother, Ghost, who is a member of the San Diego Chapter.
