Page 6 of Holding The Reins

“She started it.” CeCe points at Gemma, and I grin. Fierce protector of her brother and the damage his first and only wife did to him.

“What are you even doing here, CeCe Rae? Your hot lawyer realized he out-classed you?” Gemma slurs, her hand on her hip.

CeCe lunges back at her. I take matters into my own hands this time and toss CeCe right over my shoulder, as I nod to Victor and Asher to get Gemma and her crew out of here. I cover CeCe’s backside with my hand so no one can see up her skirt. Looks like I have to drag her ass out of here after all.

“Nash Everett Carter, you put me down right now. I’m gonna beat that tramp’s ass for what she said about Cole.”

“Settle down, slugger, you’re gonna do no such thing.” I chuckle as I push through my office door and drop her onto the leather chair in front of my desk. Her hair tumbles over her shoulders and her chest is heaving with alcohol-induced fury.

“A couple glasses of sangria and you turn right back into a wild child, Rae?” I ask, folding my arms across my chest.

“She hurt Cole, she hurt Mabel. You should kick her out of your bar.”

I lean down so I can look into her eyes and try to calm her down. I grip both her wrists on the arms of the chair.

“Already done, but you’re gonna have to get used to seeing her if you’re home for longer than this weekend. She works at the hair salon and she’s here every Sunday. She’s usually peaceful,” I add.

CeCe looks up at me, her eyes are filled with something I can’t place. “I’m home to stay.”

Ginger and Olivia bust in, laughing uncontrollably.

“Just like old times, Nashby.” Ginger pats me on the shoulder.

I shake my head at her. This little shit disturber was always the one that started everything and CeCe was always her wing-woman, her back up, and caught in the crossfire.

“If you call causing all sorts of trouble ‘old times’ then yeah, just like old times…”

“Always, it’s the only way to live honey,” she retorts.

With my hands on my hips, I look up and huff out a sigh before turning back to Cece, still sitting in the chair.

“Can you go back out there and keep the peace, Rocky?”

She narrows her eyes at me.

“As long as the trash has been taken out, yes.” She stands and fixes herself up as she leans into me. The scent of strawberries and fresh clean shampoo washes over me.

“Be a good boy and send us another one of those on the house pitchers… okay, darlin’?” She pats a perfectly manicured hand on my cheek and it sends an unexpected current straight to my dick.

Cole and Wade’s little sister, Cole and Wade’s little sister, I repeat in my head. Apparently, my dick doesn’t realize that’s a hard fucking no.

“I’ll be sure to get right on it, ladies,” I say sarcastically, removing her hand from my face and ushering them out of my office and back into the crowd.

I make my way back over to the bar shaking my head. Never a dull moment with the Not Angels.

“Send that table another pitcher but half the wine and brandy.” I pat Asher on the back and he nods.

“Sure thing, boss.”

My eyes follow CeCe back out to the dance floor. The way she’s moving to “Vice” by Miranda Lambert has me standing behind the bar like an old creep watching her.

Fucking Christ. Home to stay?

I’m gonna need to get a little more desensitized to CeCe Ashby. She’s looking like a whirlwind of things right now but the two that stand out the most are really fucking beautiful and really fucking off limits.

“So he was too busy? For Christmas?” My dad’s face is kind but his brow is furrowed, like the weight of my happiness sits on his shoulders.

“Yes, he’s got two clients that are settling right now, and he had to stay behind to meet with them.”

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