Page 8 of Desert Loyalties
The redhead next to Locke leans across the table, twirling a strand of over-processed hair. “You’re real quiet tonight, VP. Usually, you’ve got something to say.”
“She’s fishing,” Caine mutters under his breath, amused. “Don’t take the bait.”
I don’t. I’m not even looking at her. My attention’s on Skye again, just in time to see some dumbass reach too far over the bar, trying to grab a bottle she was pouring from. She doesn’tflinch, but her shoulders go stiff. I stand before I even realize I’ve moved.
The guy’s some new hanger-on. I don’t even know his name. But I know he’s too close.
Before I can make it halfway across the room, Skye handles it. With a firm tone and a cold glare, she slides the bottle back behind her and points toward the door. “You’re cut off. Try that again and I’ll have a Prospect dump you in the alley.”
The guy scoffs, but he steps back. Good choice.
I sink back into my seat, jaw tight.
“She doesn’t need saving,” Caine says beside me, casual but pointed. “You know that.”
“I know.”
“But you still want to.”
I glance at him, and for once he’s not wearing that cocky grin. He just lifts his drink, takes a slow pull, and keeps his gaze on the bar like he sees the same things I do.
“She’s a good one,” he mutters. “Too good for this place.”
“Then why’s she still here?” I’ve always wondered why she stayed.
He shrugs. “Maybe for the same reason you are.”
I don’t answer. Because I don’t know if Icananswer. Not out loud.
“Word is,” Locke cuts in, tapping his bottle against mine, “we’re running a job near her old community college. Warehouse off Route 91.”
I arch a brow. “You really gonna talk shop with a clubwhore in your lap?”
He smirks. “She doesn’t listen.”
The woman beside him giggles and proves him right.
“Yeah,” I say slowly, “we closed on that today. Legit deal. Might turn it into a front office or some shit.”
“You thinking long game?” Caine asks, watching me more closely now.
I nod once. “Ranger is. I am too.”
“Good,” he says. “Club needs to start thinking about tomorrow. Been living like we’ll die any day for too long.”
He’s right. And not just about the club.
Because the truth is, I’ve been living like tomorrow didn’t matter. Like none of it did. Until she showed up and threw off my whole rhythm with that smart mouth and those too-bright eyes and that way she walks like she’s ready to fight anyone who underestimates her.
“So what are you waiting for?” Caine asks, and I know what he means. He doesn’t say it loud, but it’s there in his tone. “Why not justclaimher?”
I glance at him, eyes narrowing. “You think it’s that easy?”
“I think nothing worth having ever is,” he says, and it surprises me. The depth. The honesty.
The music shifts and some old Southern rock track the guys always yell the lyrics to when they’re drunk comes on and it fills the silence for a moment.
“She’s not just another girl,” I say, finally. “And she doesn’t know it yet, but she’s mine.”
