Page 21 of Room One Hundred and Four: Shock and Awe

We need to honor her and what she’s given us already.

When Navy is quiet for a little too long, Rites lifts his head and glares over at Spark. Prez shifts in the chair uncomfortably.

Is it because he doesn’t like to be challenged and isn’t used to it considering his position? Is it because he knows he’s fucking up right now?

Who cares which it is? He needs to get his shit together. Quickly.

Navy stands up, pulling the sheet with her and wrapping it around her body like a dress. “I guess,” she pauses and shrugs, “I mean, that could maybe be okay.”

There’s something false in her words. She’s not sure and she doesn’t believe us. My shoulders slump with the realization, but I know she just needs us to prove it to her.

And we will.

She quickly collects her clothes and slips into the attached bathroom. I’m sure she’s not thrilled about putting on the same outfit she performed in last night, but we’re limited in our resources here. There was no way in hell I was going to have an angel or Prospect bring me some clothes for our woman.

Not yet. When she believes that she’s ours, then we can ease her into club life.

Rites turns toward Spark with fire in his eyes, but he doesn’t say anything. The silence is fucking deafening as we wait for our woman to come back out. When she does, she doesn’t look at any of us and heads toward the door.

I’m up and following right behind her without giving a single fuck if my brothers are following or not. I’m going to make sure my woman is taken care of and is protected. Now and always.

She’s quiet while we ride the elevator down, but I do notice that she steals little looks in my direction. I can see her thinking; I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not. The lounge area is quiet with a few workers cleaning the room. Navy heads right toward a room not far from the stage and slips inside before I can stop her. When I try the handle, it’s locked.

I lean against the wall and smile softly when she steps out and lets out a shocked, “Oh!”

I take the bin from her hands which clearly holds her props. “I got this, Siren.” I nod toward the elevators that will take us down to the lobby. “Lead the way and I’ll make sure you get loaded up.”

Navy glances around and even though she tries to hide it, I can see her disappointment when Rites and Spark aren’t there with me. Shit, now I’m going to have to beat both of my brothers apparently.

It only takes a few minutes for us to make our way out to her car and the silence that stretches between us makes me want to haul her against my chest and never let her go. She fidgets near the trunk of her car as I place the bin in it.

“Thanks,” she whispers and starts to step away.

I’m not having it. I wrap an arm around her waist and pull her against my chest. Her delicate fingers spread across my pecs when she braces against my chest. I love the feeling of her touching me and close my eyes and soak up the feeling for just a second.

“My brothers might be a little rough, especially Spark, but we do want you. We just need a chance.” I stare into her eyes, daring her to deny that there’s something between us. “I know you feel this and how good it could be.”

Navy nods slowly as she studies my face. “I do feel something,” she admits quietly.

It’s not the declaration of love I’m secretly hoping for, even knowing that makes me sound unhinged, but it’s something. It’s enough.

For now.

I pull my phone out of my back pocket and arch my eyebrow expectantly, “Can I have your number, Siren?”

The smile she shoots my way is soft and it warms my heart. She nods and then fires off her number quickly as she steps out of my hold and moves toward the driver’s seat.

Before she can climb into her car, I kiss her forehead, “We’ll be in touch.”

“Okay,” her voice is soft and there’s a slight edge to it like she doesn’t believe me.

That’s okay. We’ll prove it to her. We just need a little time and a chance.

Letting her go, again, is the hardest thing I’ve done in a long time. I stand there for a while, looking at the spot where I last saw her. It’s not until I hear my brother’s approaching me that I turn away.

I only spare Spark a glance before I grunt and stomp away and toward my bike. Rites calls out after me, “Well? Did you get our woman’s number?”

I flip him off as I climb on the back of my bike and fire it up.

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