Not wanting to forget the others, I flash Ace, Rook, and even Ghost a brief smile to tell them I’m okay.
Rook gives me a sheepish smile. Ghost’s expression is impenetrable, that same stoic mask he so often wears. But Ace looks worried. I recall him saying he thought I might pick Jack over him. I smile at him, hoping it reassures him.
None of them argue with Jack’s decision, though, noteven Ace. Maybe they can see that Jack is what I need in this moment, or maybe none of them want to cross their fearsome President.
With his arm around my shoulders and leaning into him so he supports my shaky legs, I let Jack lead me back to his place.
I try to steel myself for what is to come because Jack and I, we need to talk.
There’s something I need to ask him.
25
JACK
I don’t knowwhat the fuck I am doing or what my endgame is in taking Camile back to my place. I just know I couldn’t go a single minute longer without having her to myself. I’m telling myself I’m being supportive. She’s just killed a man, and even if that man deserved it, that shit does something to a person.
We reach my place, and I lead her into the living room. She drops onto the couch, and, without bothering to ask, I go to the liquor cabinet and pour out a couple of stiff measures of whiskey and hand one to her. She sniffs it, wrinkles her nose, but downs it in one. She coughs and splutters a little, but holds out her empty glass for another, which I give her. She nurses this drink, and I take a gulp of mine. The liquid heat spreads through my body, loosening my limbs and warming my insides.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
I want to go and sit beside her, but I’m not sure I trust myself getting so close.
She takes a shaky breath and nods. “I’m glad he’sdead. I’m glad I was the one who did it. When I see my family again, I can look them in the eye and tell them I was the one who put an end to him. I took revenge for the murder of our father. Maybe the magnitude of that will hit me later, when I’m alone and have had time to think, but right now I’m just happy he’s gone.”
“I’m proud of you. I meant it when I said that. You’ve got some serious balls.”
She gives a tiny smile. “Balls are weak and fragile, and men cry when they’re hit. I’ve got some serious vagina. They can take a pounding.”
I chuckle at that. “Sounds about right.”
She turns her face, her cheeks flushing pink. “Speaking of vaginas…”
I frown, wondering where the hell this is going.
She continues. “Before I was taken, I went to the clubhouse. I dressed like one of the sweetbutts, and I stood in a corner, and well, something happened…”
My stomach knots. Oh, fuck. I think I know what she’s about to say. My hand tightens around my whiskey glass and my feet root to the floor. I swallow hard, feeling my Adam’s apple rolling down my throat and the cords in my neck tense.
She ducks her head as though she can’t quite look at me. “Then this evening, I saw Felicia at the bonfire, and obviously she was there that night. She saw me watching her and Tank together, and she also saw the man who’d been standing behind me while I was watching.” Camile lifts her molten brown gaze and locks it with mine. I’m fucked. “She said that man was you. Was she right?”
Shit. I’d been careless and stupid letting myself be seen. Of course, it was a huge risk to take, and with all those people in the place, Camile was probably going tofind out eventually. Had I wanted that? Did I commit such a reckless act so I could be found out and have no excuses left?
There’s no point in lying. It just makes me look like an even bigger asshole.
“Yes, she was right.”
Camile draws in a shuddery breath and her pretty lips part. She blinks, several times, her thick, dark lashes batting her cheeks, as though she hadn’t expected me to admit it.
“But… but…” she stutters. “Why?”
“I couldn’t help myself. You looked so fucking sexy, and you were all hot and bothered watching Felicia and Tank. I could see you squirming and pressing your thighs together. I mean, I don’t blame you, they are fucking hot when they get it on in public like that.”
“But why didn’t you say something? Why didn’t you tell me it was you?”
“I guess a part of me knew that if I did, everything would change between us. I was still hanging on to the possibility that I could keep things platonic.”
Her eyebrows shoot up her forehead. “By fingering me in the clubhouse?”
