Page 21 of Devil's Vengeance

“No one. I’ll take care of it.”

She flashed me a look that said she didn’t believe that for a second. Lacey was perceptive, and she didn’t let people weasel out of difficult conversations. I had to skate around the truth to get her to let it go.

“It’s not about the crew. The guy who sweet-talked you is looking to cause trouble. It’s just one guy.”

She crossed her arms, leaning back in her chair. “Looking to cause trouble for who? You?”

I shrugged. “Could be. I insulted him at a rally and he took exception. He’s being a bitch about it. I’ll take care of it, though. You don’t need to worry about it.”

Taking a deep breath, she let it out in a huff. “Alright. I’m choosing to believe you because I trust you, but if this is a personal problem that causes issues in my club, I’m going to trade you out. I like having you here, but my girls’ safety comes first. I don’t want your personal problems putting them in danger.”

I nodded in full agreement. “I’m okay with that. If you want, I can send someone else tomorrow, just until I get this shit handled. I don't want them in danger either.”

Her expression softened a little, her lips tipping up in a smile. “I’m willing to wait if you are, but if you aren’t, I’m okay with that, too. You’re a good guy, Chase. I don’t want you gone for long.”

Patting the desk, I pushed to my feet, ready to get out of there before she asked any more questions, like why Trick was causing trouble for me. I paused at the door, though, looking over my shoulder.

“I’m sorry. For not watching the hall earlier. I was trying to get him to leave before he did anything stupid. I didn’t think his friends would start sneaking around behind my back.”

She pressed her lips together, her eyes narrowing on me. “Well, lucky for you, I know how to handle myself. If he got in the changing room, I wouldn’t be so forgiving. Since I don’t want you to die tonight, I’m not mentioning this to Brewer or Croy, but get your shit handled, Chase. I don’t want you ending up in a ditch somewhere.”

I hadn’t even thought to ask, but now that she mentioned it, the relief lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. The longer my crew went without knowing about Trick and his crew hanging around, the better it was for me. I needed more time to actually deal with him. And I didn't need my crew getting in the way. As soon as I figured out how to get Trick alone, he was a dead man.

CHAPTER 14

MARIAH

Unlike Chase’s hot and cold, Charlie was a lot easier to read. He came back the next day, and the next. Flirting hard while talking about the books and what he liked about them. The fact that he was actually reading them wasn’t lost on me, and it only put him in a better light. He either liked them, or he cared enough about getting to know me to put in the effort. Either way, I was flattered and smiling every day after he left.

On the third day, he showed up with flowers. Regina was at the desk while I put away some books, and I heard him talking to her before I saw him.

“Now come on. How is a man supposed to expand his mind when there are so many gorgeous women here to distract him, huh?”

I bit my lip to muffle a laugh. That cheesy stuff might work on me, because I was a bit of a romantic, but it wasn’t going to work on Regina. She didn’t respond to that kind of attention.

“Yes, well… Is there something I can help you with?” she asked dryly in response.

“Depends. Is your coworker here? I’ve been working up the courage to ask her out, and I finally found the nerve. You might not believe it, but I’m incredibly shy.”

That made me laugh out loud, though I quickly muffled myself. He must’ve heard me though, because I heard the jingle of the chain attachedto his belt as he came my way and poked his head around the end of the aisle, smirking at me.

“What? Don’t believe me?”

“Not even for a second,” I laughed, shaking my head. “What are you doing here, Charlie?”

“Trick, babe. Only my mama calls me Charlie.”

I tried not to roll my eyes. Bikers and their road names. “Fine. Trick. I kind of doubt you finished those books already.”

He put a hand to his chest, mock pained. “You wound me, gorgeous. I’ve been busy with work. I don’t have a lot of free time. What little I do, I’d rather spend with you.”

I tried not to melt at that. He was sweet. Nothing like Chase with his scowls and demands that I steer clear of the club. He berated Lacey about hanging out with me, which she told me all about when we met up to practice self defense. He was really going above and beyond to keep me away. Meanwhile, Trick was charming and sweet and way more the kind of guy I was into. It was getting easier and easier to let go of that crush. He might have saved my life, but that didn’t make him less of an ass.

“Maybe they should call you Charming instead of Trick,” I muttered, setting aside the books I’d been shelving. I needed a stool to put them away anyway.

“Need a hand with that?” He sauntered down the aisle, grabbing the books without waiting for my reply. Shoving a small bouquet of flowers into my hands, he said, “Here. Hold these. Which shelf, gorgeous?”

I pointed to the one just out of my reach. “That one. But–”

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