Page 22 of Room One Hundred and Four: Shock and Awe

CHAPTER 10

SPARK

It’s been two days since I saw our woman, since I’ve felt her skin underneath my fingertips, since I allowed her to walk away with doubt in her heart. I’ve felt every single second of the last two days and I know my brothers are about to rip me a new asshole if I don’t get my shit together.

I just needed a little time to come to terms with sharing a woman I never thought that I would find or want.

Growing up with my parents and the love they share showed me the kind of relationship I wanted. Sure, sharing a woman was fun, but that wasn’t what I saw for myself in terms of love. But that’s for me to readjust and no one else.

I sure as fuck can’t be forced into it.

Missing my woman has brought some things into perspective. Could I live without her in my life? The answer to that is a resounding no. Even worse—could I stand it to see her with Crucify and Rites without me? Fuck. No.

I would go feral and kill both my brothers. That feeling would have nothing on the jealousy I’ve been struggling with. I know which would be worse and it’s not even a difficult thing to realize.

How did it take me so long to come to terms with this?

I could berate myself for it, but that’ll get me nowhere. There’s a burning need in my gut to go hunt down my woman and apologize for my bullshit, but I can’t do it. Not yet.

The knock at my door reminds me exactly why I must continue to sit in my office. This meeting is one that I can’t put off, even though that’s all I’ve wanted to do since I woke up this morning. I should have gotten my shit together sooner.

I don’t have to be perfect, and I have my doubts that Navy would expect it anyway. She’s the first woman who has looked at me without expectations in a long fucking time. She wasn’t interested in me because of my position in the club or because of what I could give to her.

And then on the opposite side of the spectrum, she didn’t look at me with fear in her eyes. There are so many people who look at us and make assumptions because of our cuts, tattoos, and bikes. I’ve gotten used to it, but only because I can’t remember a time when I didn’t see that judgement and derision in the eyes of strangers.

“Enter,” I bark.

The door opens and Rites gives me a chin lift without the normal smile on his face. I know why he’s not smiling at me, and it has nothing to do with the men he’s leading into my office. He’s pissed at me, and he has every right to be.

I know that if I’ve fucked things up with our woman that he’ll never forgive me. I’d understand. Hell, I’d never forgive myself.

Hendrix, Wolfe, and Dominic stride into my office, each giving a chin lift as they do. They’re big men who have just as much blood on their hands as I do; maybe more. I don’t know all the ins and outs of their business and I don’t want to know.

Penance is the last one to enter the office. Since I was already told that this meeting relates to the Volkov bratva who are clients of Savior Saints Security as well as friends of the club, I’ve asked Penance to sit in on the meeting. He’s one of the brothers who helps run our security firm and has been working with the Volkov brothers and their inner circle since they overthrew the Morozov bratva and have been righting the wrongs in Seattle.

Anatoly Morozov was a nasty fucker. He blanketed our city in darkness and allowed vicious men to run rampant all while profiting from it.

Ten years ago, when we helped rescue Monk’s sister, Morozov was behind the whole thing. Hendrix, Wolfe, and Dominic were there when we took down that trafficking ring. It was a first for us, but it sure as fuck wasn’t the last.

The club has helped the three men on missions since then, especially when they involve trafficking rings, but they work all over the world as well. There aren’t many men that I fear in this world, and I’m not really afraid of these three, but they sure as fuck have earned my respect.

“Gentlemen,” I nod at them before standing and offering my hand across my desk. “Please take a seat.”

With a quick handshake they take seats in the room and Rites leans against the wall near the door. I almost smirk because he might be pissed at me, but he always has my back.

“Spark,” Hendrix’s gruff voice greets me. “Thank you for meeting with us.”

I lean forward over my desk, my curiosity peaked. “Are you in town on a mission we can help you with?”

Blood lust starts to pump through my veins. I could use a good fight and taking down some scum in my city would be satisfying as fuck. I need the distraction; it would do me some good.

“We’re not here on a mission,” Wolfe pauses and shrugs one shoulder, “not really.”

I arch an eyebrow in question and Dominic smirks. He’s a man of few words and I’m not surprised when he doesn’t answer my silent question.

“We’re here as a professional courtesy,” Hendrix lets me know. “We’ll be in town for the foreseeable future.” To say I’m surprised is an understatement since I’ve never known these men to stay in one place for very long. Considering the work that they do, moving to where they’re needed is part of the job. “There has been a lot of chatter around the power dynamics in Seattle and the remaining men tied to Morozov are trying to gain support.”

I glance at Penance, and he gives a firm nod. I had heard rumblings but left it to Penance to keep on top of. To know that the rumors have weight and are increasing is not good.

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