Page 11 of Jag

“Now is that any way to talk about Claire? She’s been in business around here for a long time.” Romeo leaned down and kissed the top of Claire’s head, and a faint blush rose on her cheeks. I lifted a brow at the suggestion the move made. Seemed a lot of changes were happening in the club these days.

“So, not just interested in the sweets sold in the bakery, huh?” I groaned at Flirt’s attempt at subtlety while Coast, Boss, and Turk coughed to cover up their laughter.

“Good grief, I’ve never known one of you boys to beat around the bush about anything. Ask the question that shows on your face, Flirt. Better yet, let me answer it and get everything out in the open. I’m seeing Michael and guess what? We are attracted to each other and don’t you,” Claire pointed at me, “act all damn surprised because I know you’ve seen me leaving a few mornings from Black Hawk. That’s what is wrong with young people, you think too dang much instead of trusting your feelings. Life is short, don’t ever put off things or you might run out of time. That’s one thing I learned the hard way. When I got sick, I promised myself then if I came through the ordeal, I wouldn’t put off doing or even saying whatever I want.”

Claire turned and walked back to the bakery while I and the others stood there and stared after her. No one said anything until the door closed behind her.

“Well, so much for not wanting to embarrass her by bringing up that I’ve seen her on more than one occasion leaving the compound early in the morning,” I said and grinned at Romeo.

“Yeah, she mentioned it to me several times. The first time you saw her, she expected to have Bailey stopping in the bakery that day. She has stopped by her mother’s house while I’ve been there, but she doesn’t say or ask anything.”

“Maybe she thinks if something serious is going on that you and her mother will have the decency to tell her.” Romeo glanced at Flirt and his brows lowered. Coast and I moved closer in case we needed to act fast to keep father and son from each other.

“I don’t get in your personal business, and I expect the same respect. No, I demand the fucking respect. So, you better say now if you and I are going to have a problem, son.” Romeo stepped closer, and this time, Boss and Turk moved to a better position to help Coast and me if the situation turned for the worst.

“Hell no, I’ll always have respect for you and will stand behind you, right or wrong, but...” Flirt cut off and chuckled, which relaxed everyone, “if you hurt that woman, it will be because of that respect I won’t let Bailey kill you; however, I will let her take some hide off your ass, then I’ll take you to the hospital.” We laughed with Flirt, and so did Romeo.

“Well, then it’s a damn good thing I don’t plan to hurt her, but...” Romeo said as he mimicked Flirt before he went on. “I do plan to make her my ol’ lady, and that includes marrying her. So, if Bailey feels the need to tear off some hide, I’ll let her. Won’t change nothing. I’m going to marry her mama whether she or anyone else thinks I’m not good enough for her.” A few minutes of quiet went by before anyone of us responded to Romeo’s declaration.

“Sonofabitch, I’m not eating or drinking another damn thing at the clubhouse. Motherfuckers are dropping like flies.” I looked over at Turk, and he shook his head.

“I’m with you, Turk,” Boss said, and the brothers bumped knuckles.

“Since I told you my plan before I’ve even asked Claire, let me tell you that if it gets back to her before I get the chance, I’ll tear some goddamned hide off some asses myself.” Romeo looked at each of us and lifted a brow.

After we agreed to keep our mouths shut, he mentioned the reason for coming out to talk with us in the first place.

“I wanted to see if Boss and Turk would add in a couple surveillance cameras that point toward Claire’s shop. Figured the added security on her place couldn’t hurt with the cannabis store next to it.”

“Don’t see a problem. I can add it on to our order, then mention it at the next club meeting.” Boss looked at me after he answered Romeo.

“Yeah, do that, Boss. Romeo, you know we’re at least going to have to inform Crusher, Devil, and Speed why right?”

“I know, Jag, and appreciate it, but we know what’s going to happen if the women get wind of the reason. That’s why I was hoping the cameras could be added and I would personally pay the extra cost.”

“Are you suggesting that our brothers’ ol’ ladies can’t keep their mouths closed?” I asked and was unable to keep my lips from twitching.

“Not saying they would blab all over town. Now, amongst themselves, hell yes, which is exactly what I want to avoid. I don’t want everyone in the club knowing before Claire,” Romeo said and glanced over his shoulder as if to make sure Claire hadn’t snuck up on him from the bakery.

“Afraid she might not want to lock herself to your old ass and say no?” Flirt asked, and his dad glared.

“Always gotta be a smartass. And just ‘cause I might be getting a little gray around the edges, don’t mean I can’t hold my own in taking you down a notch.”

“Yeah, keep thinking that, old man. Your delusion will keep you young,” Flirt said and slapped Romeo’s back.

“You know, we could pass off the extra cameras as looking out for Bailey’s mom,” Coast suggested, then looked at me and cocked a brow.

“I don’t see a problem with it. The women won’t know the real reason until Romeo has his woman locked down. Ya know, club business and all,” I said, and Boss and Turk shook their heads.

“What?” I asked.

“First off, no disrespect intended, VP. But the women in the club don’t miss much. Hell, they probably know more about what goes on than any of us do.”

“You could be right, Boss.” I couldn’t argue with Boss’s assessment and neither could the others.

We went back to the discussion of security equipment and where we thought the best placement for the outside surveillance would be.

“Ya know, with the store going here, Claire’s bakery could see more traffic than it already does,” Flirt said, and the rest of us stared at him until what he referred to registered.

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