Page 52 of New Orleans Collection

I get it and I hope that more of the younger guys find old ladies because I’m tired of being one of the few women my age around here. I have Wrenley when she’s around, and I love my sister-in-law, but other than her and a few others, there are only the club angels.

I’m not friends with any of the angels. Most of them walk around without anywhere near enough clothing and they love drama. They soak that shit up like a damn sponge and I just don’t have the time for that kind of mess in my life.

I don’t care that they chose to be angels considering I can’t imagine any of the brothers being my man. It’s their body and they can do what they please with it, but I don’t understand why most of the angels think that they’re above me. They aren’t. I’m the club princess and the sooner they figure that shit out, the better.

New angels are the worst, but they learn pretty quickly considering I don’t suffer their foolishness and will put them in their place and the brothers will back me up.

“I haven’t seen you very much lately,” Mom’s prodding is gentle and pulls me out of my thoughts.

“I’ve been here and there,” I shrug while keeping my voice neutral. She doesn’t need to know what I’ve been up to, which hasn’t been much more than staying at home because I was afraid the Guidice brothers were going to pop up around every corner. “I told you Viola is pregnant.”

Mom smiles wide and nods. “Are her men thrilled?” I smirk and she giggles before asking gently, “What about her brothers?”

I shrug and try not to look too deeply into what she’s really asking. Mom knows I’ve had a crush on Leo, Gio, and Rocco for years. I wasn’t very good at hiding it when I was younger.

“The entire family is thrilled for her.” I almost pat myself on the back for skirting her question honestly. “I’m thrilled for her. She’s practically glowing.”

Mom grins as she plates up lunch. Just as I pick up my plate, Scythe, one of the club’s enforcers, comes into the kitchen. He immediately grabs a handful of the chips on my plate before ruffling my hair like I’m twelve fucking years old.

I hiss, “What the fuck?”

He shrugs one shoulder and looks at me like I’m an adorable little kitten. “I’m hungry.”

“Then go and make yourself some food,” I seethe.

Scythe throws his head back and laughs like I’m adorable. It’s the same way the guys around here have treated me most of my life and being a whole grown up woman hasn’t changed anything. My heart aches with the knowledge that this is how my life will continue to be.

I had a chance to change it. I think. But since I snuck out of Room Eight and might have fucked up whatever was going on between me and the Guidice brothers, I have a feeling the chance has evaporated.

Mom just laughs and then sets about making a plate for Scythe like he’s not a grown ass man who is capable of making his own food.

“He can do that himself, Mom,” I grumble at her.

“I like taking care of my boys,” she reminds me with a smile, and I can only sigh.

“Thanks, Celeste,” Scythe’s voice is quiet and full of appreciation before he kisses her cheek and takes his plate from her.

I know she likes taking care of the club brothers. She’s been doing it for a long time, and everyone appreciates what she does. If that wasn’t the case, I would put my foot down. But everyone here loves her.

She found her place.

Will I ever find mine?

CHAPTER 6

GIOVANNI

I shake my head and scrub a hand down my face because, yet again, I could have sworn I got a hint of Fleur’s scent. I know it’s not true. I know it’s my head playing tricks on me because I want her to be right here next to me no matter what it is I’m doing.

The last few days since I woke up in Room Eight to find our woman gone, have been long fucking days. It’s like a piece of me is missing without her at my side. It makes no sense that I feel the profound loss of her, but I’m not going to fight the way I feel about my woman.

I’ve done it for long enough and ignored everything right in front of me.

In doing so I pushed her away. I can’t do it anymore. It hurt not only Fleur, but my brothers and myself as well.

It’s already taking all my self-control to stop myself from driving to Fleur’s place and stealing her away. I could probably get away with it and have her back at my house without anyone knowing. At least, not at first.

The only thing stopping me is knowing once I have her in our home, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to let her go. She probably wouldn’t like that considering she’s an independent woman and has been for quite some time. It also might cause problems with her family, both personally and professionally, but that’s the least of my concerns.

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