Page 38 of James

You think you know a woman. I had no idea Tatiana could be such a bitch. She’d been nothing but sweet the entire time we were dating. Now her claws are out, I’m not liking this side of her. Looks like I got out in the nick of time. I almost sigh in relief.

Sasha heads off to her parents’ house with Jye. Her father wants to spend some time with him, so I decide to catch up on some paperwork. An hour or so passes when my phone rings. An unknown number.

“James?” a soft voice croons. It makes me shudder involuntarily.

“Nancy, did you get the forms?” I ask her, trying to keep the panic out of my tone.

“I did. I'll handle it, don’t worry,” she assures me.

“I need it done ASAP, okay?” I tell her sternly.

“No problem, James. You can relax.”

We both hang up and I grin. Looks like everything is going according to my plan. I pull the black velvet box out of my pocket and open it, staring at the white gold princess cut ring. I hope Sasha loves it, and I hope she says yes. I stand up and get my wallet and keys, ready to head out. Chase, Kade and I are meeting up at a bar for some brotherly bonding.

***

“What is so good about this bar again?” I ask for what must be the hundredth time over the years.

“It has a homey feeling, don’t you think?” Kade smirks. I look around at the bikers and half dressed women, still not seeing it.

“Was our childhood that bad?” I joke.

“It’s his old hunting grounds. Maybe he’s reminiscing,” Chase adds.

I take a swig of my beer and avoid eye contact with the blonde that keeps staring at me. I’m pretty sure she hasn’t even blinked once.

“The women aren’t subtle, that’s for sure,” I say as I see her walk over.

“Hi, Kade, who’s your friend?” she purrs, licking her bright pink lips.

“He’s not interested,” I pipe up.

“How about you then, handsome?” she says as she runs her hand down Chase’s chest. Chase removes her hand, distaste evident on his face.

“Sorry, we’re all taken,” he says in a no-nonsense tone. She scowls, makes a comment about how we must be gay, and then saunters off to her next victim. We all take a huge gulp of our drinks. How our lives have changed. I think we are all thinking the same thing, because the next minute we're all laughing.

“Why didn’t she hit on you Kade?” I ask him, genuinely curious.

Kade looks sheepish. “I took her home once, and let’s just say we aren’t into the same shit.”

Chase and I lean closer. “She’s into pain, and yeah, not my thing,” Kade says, downing a shot as if remembering what had happened. When I see Tenielle stroll in, I grin.

“I thought this was a male only event?” I drawl.

Tee rolls her eyes and takes a seat next to me. “I thought I’d liven the place up a little. Besides if I were a man, we all know I’d have the biggest penis.”

“Where are you going, all dolled up?” Kade asks her.

“What, this old thing?” she asks sweetly, gesturing to her tight black dress that leaves nothing to the imagination. I notice she’s still wearing combat boots though. She orders three tequila shots. All for her, not us. When a guy notices her and smiles her way, Chase hovers around her.

“Chase, you need to relax. You look like a dragon about to breathe fire.” She laughs.

“You’re my sister,” he says.

“In law!” she corrects him.

“If you don’t wanna be over protected, don’t come out with us,” he fires back.

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