Page 64 of Bullet

I led her to the stool next to Bristol, then made myself at home in the kitchen, brewing a pot of coffee.

“I need a favor,” I said to Lacey. “I’m taking Stormy out to a club tonight. She needs something special to wear.”

“Oh, yeah? You should come with us.” She licked a bit of avocado from her thumb. “We were thinking of going to Roosters. It’s a club on the other side of town. Industrial rock. I want one of their T-shirts. They say we love cock-tails.”

“It’s not that kind of club. I’m taking her to a place called High Protocol.”

Lacey gasped. “You’re taking her to a BDSM sex club. I want to go.”

“Not this time.”

“But that’s not your scene,” she said to me.

“No shit. I’m not interested in chaining her to a cross and flogging her. That’s your scene. The guy that owns it might have some information on Emerson. We’re meeting him tonight, so I need you to give her something to wear. We need to blend in.”

“Good luck with you blending in, but I can hook her up.” She glanced at Stormy. “You’re a lot smaller than me but take whatever you want.”

“Thanks.”

I brought two cups of coffee to the island, set one in front of Stormy, and sat in the chair next to her. I draped my arm across the top rung of her high-backed stool. “Blue’s driven past Indulgence. Everything seems quiet.”

Lacey grilled avocado and turkey panini sandwiches. “It has been. And I have to admit, I’m not mad about it.”

“We want to talk to you,” Clover said. “About a business proposition.”

I nodded and sipped my coffee.

“After lunch we can go to the office.” Lacey took the next two sandwiches off the panini press and set one in front of me and the other in front of Stormy. I casually feathered my fingertips against her back, then straightened, picked up the sandwich, and took a bite.

Nothing awkward seemed to come from Lacey or Clover. However, Bristol was notably quiet as she finished her lunch. She’d only spoken a few words to Stormy, and I could feel the tension thickening in the room. Stormy had to be drowning in worry.

I leaned in and whispered in Stormy’s ear. “I’ll talk to Bristol before we leave.”

“No,” she stated, jerking her gaze to me. Then she quieted. “Don’t make it worse.”

Fuck. I shifted my attention to Bristol. Stormy didn’t want my interference, but I hoped the glare I leveled at Bristol made an impact. Stormy didn’t need this shit, and neither did I.

Lacey and Clover asked Stormy about the MC, riding on the back of the bike, but any questions regarding me were in making sure I wasn’t being a dick to her.

Once the dishes were done, I stood from the chair.

“Will you be okay?”

“She’s fine,” Bristol said.

Stormy smiled.

I hesitated but followed Clover as she and Lacey headed to the rear of the house. The back bedroom had been converted to a home office. I glanced one last time over my shoulder. Bristol cocked a brow, and her lips pursed.

In the office, I plopped down on the sofa along the far wall, stretched out with my boots hanging off the edge, stuffed a cigarette between my lips, sparked my lighter, and drew a deep inhale. A grumbly groan ripped from my chest as I exhaled.

“You look tired,” Clover said, sitting on the corner of the desk.

“I doubt he’s been getting any sleep since he’s been riding the new girl for the last few days.” Lacey laughed and sat in the office chair, wiggled the mouse, and woke the computer.

“It’s not like that with her.” I sighed, exhaling smoke through my nostrils. “Not exactly like that.”

Clover laughed. “We could tell by looking at your neck.” She approached, smacked my feet for me to move, and sat next to me. “Any news on the guys giving her shit?”

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