Page 28 of Fletch

I release a long, nervous breath and brush my hair from my face. I don’t know why the fuck I agreed to this dinner. That’s a lie. I had no choice cos when I told my Chief Superintendent, she forced me to accept. We’re not stupid—we know it’s a show. The club’s President probably thinks that by being open and welcoming, I’ll assume they have nothing to hide, but with the intelligence we have on the club so far, there’s no way we’re falling for the clean-up act.

Ruby watches me from the couch. “Who is this guy?”

“Someone I used to know. No one important.”

There’s a loud knock at the door, and I jump in fright. Fuck, why am I so nervous? Ruby dives up from the couch and rushes to open it, despite my protests. She returns seconds later with a huge grin on her face and Fletch standing behind her.

“He’s got tatts,” she states, arching a judgmental brow. “What will our father say?” And then she laughs, knowing full well what he’d say.

“You’re early,” I say, glancing at my watch and noting it’s only quarter-to.

“I knew you’d leave before I got here,” he replies, and I almost smile because he’s right. I was just about to leave to avoid seeing him here in my home, with Ruby just a few steps away. I stare at the pair, noting how similar they look, and my heart squeezes.

“Anyway, we should go,” I say, grabbing my bag.

“Hold on,” he says. “Aren’t you going to introduce us?”

I glance at Ruby, who looks amused by my flustered state. “Ruby, this is Fletch. Fletch, this is my younger sister, Ruby.”

He smiles wide, and she holds out her hand. They shake, and he arches a brow. “Good handshake. Strong.”

“Gem taught me to look a man in the eye and shake hard,” she replies.

He looks impressed. “How old are you, Ruby?”

“We really should go,” I cut in. “Ruby, lock the door behind us.”

“Why don’t you come?” asks Fletch, and I freeze.

“No, that’s not a good idea,” I say, now trying to bustle him towards the exit.

“Snap,” he says firmly, and I still, “what’s gotten into you? Ruby, there’s plenty of food if you want to come.”

“And play third wheel? No, thanks.”

“It’s not a date,” I say, glaring back at her.

“She’s right,” Fletch agrees. “It’s a work thing, right, Gem?” The way he stares at me, challenging me to deny it, makes my skin prickle.

“Right,” I confirm, and he looks away, an annoyed expression on his face. “Besides, Father would have a fit if I took you along,” I tell Ruby.

“God forbid,” mutters Fletch as he heads for the door. Ruby gives me a little wave, and I follow Fletch.

By the time we arrive at the clubhouse ten minutes later, I’m fully nervous. I don’t usually get like this, but being this close to Fletch changes things.

I follow him inside and am surprised to see no one in the main room. He leads me towards the kitchen, stopping right outside the door and turning to me. “I need to check,” he mutters, looking uncomfortable.

“For?” I know exactly what he means. He wants to see if I’m wired-up. I roll my eyes and lift my shirt. Fletch takes the hem and lifts it higher, then he runs his hands around my back, gently stroking my skin before dropping onto his haunches and feeling up my legs. “Seriously,” I say, “I’m not wearing anything.” He gives a satisfied nod and stands.

He pushes the door open and the smell of food hits us, making my stomach growl in hunger. The sound of laughter and chatter makes me smile, as it’s not something I’ve ever really experienced. When I lived at home, we had to eat at the table in silence, and with Pete, well, we never really laughed and we never really sat down to eat together.

Axel is sitting at the head of the table, and Lexi is on his knee with her arms around his neck. Luna is standing with her child in her arms while Grizz is telling them some tale that has them all engrossed, until we step farther into the room and everyone falls silent. I give an awkward smile, but no one returns it. Luna is the first to speak, announcing that she needs to put the baby to bed, and she passes us without another word.

Axel stands, placing Lexi on her feet beside him. “Welcome to my club,” he says. “Take a seat.” He points to the one beside him and then half pulls it out. Lexi moves to his other side and sits, so I do the same. Fletch sits beside me, shrugging from his kutte and placing it on the back of his chair.

“It smells amazing, Lex. What we got?” he asks.

“Luna made bread,” she announces, pointing to the fresh loaf in the centre of the table. “And I made chicken pie.” She proceeds to lift the lids on the pots in the centre of the table. “I hope you’re not a veggie,” she adds, looking at me, and I shake my head.

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