Page 40 of Séance

Anything and everything can go wrong in a fight. One blow, one second of inattention, could cost Rue her freedom, and I’m reluctantly grateful to Jameson for stowing away…though I will never admit that out loud to the fucker.

I won’t risk Rue’s safety just to steal some time alone with her.

Without replying, I turn around in my seat and restart the car. I look at James in the rearview mirror and nod once in thanks. I just hope I don’t regret bringing him along.

“Don’t worry.” James winks, flashing me a shit-eating grin. “You won’t even know I’m here.”

I don’t even try to disguise my snort.

We’re so screwed.

Without the rest of the guys to ride herd on James, we’ll be lucky to escape the store without getting arrested for one shenanigan or another.

Chapter Twelve

JAMESON

Icollapse back in my seat with a sigh of relief when Gunner doesn’t physically toss me from the vehicle for crashing his date—and this is a fucking date, whether he knows it or not. I’m determined to make him aware of it before the end of the day.

If he wanted me gone, he could have done it without breaking a sweat. While I can fight, I’m not trained like him. He’s a machine that could pulverize me with a single blow. I’m more of a scrapper who fights dirty and mean. I’ll go for the dick shots and bite if it means I’ll win.

Thankfully, it didn’t take all that much time to convince Gunner to keep his outing with the lovely Rue when I learned about it this morning. The poor guy was pacing the kitchen with indecision, staring forlornly out the window in the direction of her house.

The instant he entered her house, I sprinted for his car. I never had any intention of letting him go alone, not only forRue’s protection, but so I could also push my own agenda—to get all the men to fall in love with her.

While Gunner has a certain Neanderthal charm, he’s more of a fuck them and leave them type of man. He has no clue how to actually talk to a woman, so I manned up and decided to go along on his date.

It’s the least I can do for a friend.

It also gives me the perfect opportunity to enact my plan. I just need them to fall in love with her first before I share my idea with the rest of them. By then, it will be much too late, and they’ll be so far gone that they’ll agree to anything to keep her. Sure, they might hate me at first for my meddling, but they will eventually be grateful when they realize she’s perfect for our group.

I just have to tread carefully. One small mistake, and it could shatter our group. That’s why it’s imperative I nudge things along the right path. As we park the car, I wait in the back seat while Gunner walks around the front, glaring at me the whole time.

I lean over the seat and give him a taunting smile, not taking my eyes off him while I chat with Rue. “He might not look it, but he really is a gentleman. He’s just rusty and rough around the edges.”

Rue side-eyes me, suspicion darkening her teal eyes, but I’m careful not to look too closely and fall under her spell. It’s not my date, and I have to be a good boy…for now. “He might pretend he’s not as smart as the rest of the group, but don’t let him get away with that bullshit. He’s brilliant with machines.” Just as Gunner reaches for the door handle, I look her in the eyes, then wiggle my eyebrows. “He’s really good with his hands.”

The most delightful blush dances across her cheeks, but before she has a chance to say anything, the door is wrenched open and Gunner stands over her with an imposing expression.To my absolute delight, when Rue peers up at him with a startled gaze, her blush deepens.

Of course, Gunner goes all hulk and pulls her from the car, tucking her protectively against his side. When he throws me a glare, I just smirk and give him a wink. He slams the door closed, then hits the locks before turning and walking away. Cursing, I scramble for the door, fiddling with the locks before managing to escape.

They are halfway across the parking lot by the time I slam my door shut.

When I see a tired woman pushing her cart back to the corral, I offer her a charming smile and graciously offer to take it. The distracted mom flashes me a relieved, if a bit flustered, smile and touches her ratty bun. Most people wouldn’t even see her, but mothers who put in the work like her are warriors in my book. They are given too little credit.

With one last wink, I push the cart and take off running. It’s not long before I’m moving at a breakneck speed. I jump on the back and quickly close the distance between me and our lovely lady. Hooting with laughter, I shoot past them, then jump down and put on the brakes.

Rue’s eyes are wide with delight, a big smile on her face, and I can’t resist stepping back. “Your chariot awaits, my lady,” I say in my best snooty voice, bowing to her while keeping my face as serious as possible. “Would you care for a ride?”

Gunner looks like he’s ready to strangle me, until he glances down at Rue. His expression softens when he sees the spark of interest in her eyes. Unable to refuse her, he gently nudges Rue forward. “While he’s an idiot, he would never let anything happen to you.”

Rue nibbles on her lip for a second, then she gives a decisive nod and steps forward. “Show me.”

It’s an order, and I grin in delight. “We’re going to start you off with training wheels. I’m going to hold this end so you don’t flip.” I step around the far end and hold it down. “You are going to step on the bar at the bottom. Keep hold of the handle and push off with one foot. Gunner will put his arms on either side of you with his hands on the handle of the cart to keep you steady. When you’re ready, you just push off. Okay?”

She blinks, tilts her head to the side as if figuring out the logistics, then nods and stands on the bottom of the cart. The instant she steps on the bar, Gunner immediately stands behind her to make sure she doesn’t fall off.

He pushes her forward like she’s the most precious treasure in the world, barely moving above a slow shuffle, but it’s enough to have a giggle escape Rue. She peers up at Gunner with a spark of awe and pleasure in her eyes and the most glorious smile on her luscious lips.

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