Page 46 of Rise In Arms

“No, thank you,” Charity says, and Hazel repeats the same. Jasmine looks at me and Bear, her eyes questioning.

“No thanks, darlin’,” Bear says, and I shake my head.

Jasmine moves away from the cupboard where I know cups and mugs are kept. “Sorry, where are my manners. You’re all probably so tired from your ride. I’ll show the girls to their rooms.”

I move back as Jasmine sidles past me. Hazel and Charity follow, but as Charity passes me she stops. “Thanks for the ride,” she says, looking up at me. “I guess I’ll see you later?”

“You will,” I reply with a quick nod. Jasmine looks over her shoulder at me and Charity and gives me a knowing smile. Is it that obvious?

Charity continues on then, following Jasmine, and Hazel stops in front of me next, reaching out and giving me a hug and a kiss on my cheek. “Thanks, Kane, for everything.” She moves back and adds, “I love you so much.”

I push her long brown hair over her shoulder. “I love you too, sis. I’ll come past tomorrow to check up on you two.” I look over at Charity, who’s now leaning against the wall, with Jasmine standing next to her, both their eyes on us. I smile. “You guys sleep well. Thanks again, Jasmine, for your hospitality.” I walk to where they are and hug her again briefly, and lastly I walk back to the hallway where Quill is waiting and shake his hand.

“You boys going back to the club?” Quill asks as Bear joins me, standing at my side and shaking Quill’s hand as well.

“Yeah, too tired for anything else,” I reply, running a hand over my face.

“Even Honey?” Quill has a smirk on his lips.

I sigh and run my hand over the back of my neck this time, rubbing at the sudden tension there. “Don’t even go there, man. I just hope she’s not around when I get back to the club.”

“You’ve got your hands full with that one, brother,” Quill says. “She’s been asking about you the last couple of days, wanting to know if you’ll be back soon. I guess she’s one happy woman now that you are.”

My eyes travel back to Charity as she walks up the stairs to the second level with Hazel and Jasmine. She turns just before she disappears from my sight, her hand on the bannister, and mouths “Good night.”

I nod, then look back at Pez, hoping he didn’t see the exchange. I’m not in the mood to go there with him.

Quill clears his throat. “You tappin’ that yet?”

I look at the floor and shake my head, then look back up to him. “Nah, man, she’s got too much on her plate right now.”

“But you want to?”

I glance up the stairs once more, even though she’s no longer visible, wondering if she’ll think about me tonight while she’s in bed and alone. Because God knows I’ll be thinking of her. “Of course he wants to,” Bear pipes in. “The man has gone all crazy and shit over her.”

I glare at him, giving him a warning to shut the fuck up.

Quill just laughs. “Is that right? Don’t blame you, she’s a pretty girl.”

“Pretty don’t do her justice,” I correct Quill. “She’s beautiful.”

“Tut, tut, tut. You had better get in that before another brother does,” Quill warns, and I snap my head toward him.

“Ain’t no brother touching her,” I growl out, hands clenched at my sides.

“See, Prez? Like I said, crazy over her,” Bear teases.

“Shut the fuck up, man,” I spit.

Quill places a hand on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze, and the tension leaves my body immediately. “Bear, leave him alone. He’s got his own shit to deal with.”

Quill walks us to the door then, and we step outside. I’m about to walk over to my bike to leave when he says, “Hold up.” I turn, and Quill adds, “Bear, go wait for us at the bikes. I need to have a word with Trigg, here.”

“Sure thing, Prez.”

Nerves hit me at the idea of Quill wanting to talk to me alone. Did he sense something between me and Jasmine? Fuck!

“What’s up, Prez?” I ask, taking a cigarette out from a pocket of my cut and lighting it. I take a drag and enjoy the calmness it brings.

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