Page 31 of Thorned Vengeance

“Thanks.” I step to the side to allow Thorn room to pass me and toss my bags on the bed.

“Bathroom is on the right and closet is on the left.” He picks up the TV remote lying on the side table by the bed. “Thanks to Jez, we have every damn channel you can think of, so you shouldn’t have any issues finding something to watch.”

I shift my weight from one foot to the other and fidget with my hands. When you spend your life hiding behind a computer screen, and the only interactions you have with men are kicking their asses in a boxing ring, it leaves you a socially awkward mess.

Sure, I can talk to clients, no problem, but this is different. It’s more intimate being in someone else’s environment. While I was able to get to know everyone a little bit during our travel from Nashville to Boulder City, I still kept my interactions somewhat limited. That’s going to be damn near impossible now that I’m in their space, on their home turf.

Time to come out of my shell. That was easy when we were just two people walking through an underground bunker and torture chamber. This is more… personal. I need to utilize whatever resources Saints Purgatory has, and the only way that’s gonna happen is if I start hanging out with them and getting fucking personal.

If I can remember how to do that.

“You’ve got quite the clubhouse. I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

“We take our security and privacy very seriously.”

“I can see that.”

“Well… I’ll let you get settled.” He moves toward the door but stops and turns on his heel to face me. “Want to come hang out in the common room with all of us?” Thorn’s megawatt smile lights up his face, and at that moment, I don’t want to deny him anything.

I’m losing my mind.

“Sure, can I have a few minutes to clean up?”

It’s been a long few days, and I need some time to gather my thoughts about my next steps for hunting the Phantom.

“Yeah. Thirty minutes long enough?”

“Perfect.”

“I’ll come back then.”

Without another word, Thorn walks out of the room, and the door closes behind him. I take a deep breath as I carry my toiletries into the bathroom to unpack them. After brushing my teeth and touching up my makeup, I slip on a pair of tight jeans and an off-the-shoulder t-shirt. Then I pick up my favorite bottle of perfume and spray a small amount over my wrists, but I almost drop it when a knock at the door startles me.

“Stupid. You knew Thorn was coming back,” I mutter. “Coming!”

I open the door, and it takes everything in me not to whistle in appreciation. Thorn’s dark-fitted jeans and charcoal Henley show off the definition of his arms and chest. I drag my eyes up his body, and for a brief moment, I catch a glimpse of the same longing in his eyes, but as quick as it’s there, it’s gone.

You’re imagining things. You’re here to work with them, not to get laid.

“Ready, m’lady?” He smirks, holding out his arm like he’s escorting me on a date.

I let the corner of my mouth curve up. “Absolutely.” I link my arm with his, and together we make our way to the common room.

When we first arrived, I wasn’t too concerned about paying attention to details, but now I can take my time and really appreciate how big the area is. There are a couple of prospects behind the bar, filling orders. Some of the brothers play pool, others watch MMA fights on the big screen, and a few women I haven’t met yet stare at me with curiosity.

“Want another drink?” Thorn asks.

“Yeah, that sounds good.”

Why is this so fucking awkward? I’ve been on dates… granted, not many, but still.

It’s not a date.

We’re hanging out with the entire club and working together to find a killer.

Perspective Delaney!!

“You okay?”

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