Page 4 of Stripping Keys
“Don’t know yet. Just know that they called me and asked for a meeting with all the members of the club,” Blow grunts, brows creased. “Need you to look and see if you can’t figure it out before the meet is supposed to happen.”
“When’s that supposed to be?” Depending on when, I might have enough time to find out that and more.
“This evening at six,” Griz grunts.
Glancing behind them to the clock on the wall, I see it’s already two-thirty. “Not a lot of time, but I’ll head to the clubhouse and look into it. “
“Appreciate it,” Blow mutters, expression dark. “I don’t like someone callin’ to set a meet within my own club. Especially without giving me a reason.”
“Did they give you anything?” My mind whirls with possibilities as to who it could be we’re up against here.
“All I know is they said it was important that all members of the club be at the clubhouse at six. They even said it might be best to have the ol’ ladies there as well.”
“You’re not going to have them there, are you? It could be a trap,” I tell him.
“That’s why I’m not letting any of those women get anywhere near the clubhouse tonight.”
“Marley is distracting the women by taking them to the farm. Her grandmother, as she put it, it’s a girls’ night. Though, Michael and Marshall have asked to be there. Evidently, they got a message saying they’re needed for a meeting later tonight after the one set for us,” Griz grumbles.
Now, it’s all making sense. There’s only one person who could be connected between both the club and Marley’s family. One missing link that disappeared two months ago. Two months and a week to be exact.
After Marla left my room that night, she up and vanished. I couldn’t even find her, and I looked. It’s why this past month I’ve done everything in my power to distract myself, because I couldn’t stop thinking about her and where she could be.
“Was it a woman who you talked to?” The question slips past my lips before I can stop it. The last thing I need is for my brothers to wonder why I’d ask that. Or worse, think I’m thinking of Marla.
Fuck me.
This could get dicey.
“It was a man I spoke to, why?” Blow cocks a brow in question. “What are you thinking?”
I shake my head. If it wasn’t her on the phone, then I need to find out who. “Nothing, I was just curious.” No way was I about to tell them I was hoping it was Marla. Not knowing where she is is getting to me—more than I care to admit. “I’ll head to the clubhouse, see what I can find out. Send me the number that they contacted you from.”
Blow nods, takes a step back, eyes still on me. “You sure you’re good, Keys?”
“Yeah, I’m good.” It’s not a lie. Distracting myself is a good way to keep from thinking.
“If you say so, brother, but know we’re here for you if you need us. We’re family for a reason.” With that said, Blow turns on his heels and leaves, heading for his bike.
I stand there staring for a moment longer, realizing Griz was still standing near me. I glance at him to find him watching me.
“What’s going on with you?” he asks, cocking a brow, watching me closely.
“It’s nothing, Griz,” I say, brushing it off. None of them need to know about Marla, just like they don’t need to know about the other secrets I hold. The last thing I need is for those to be revealed to anyone. If they knew the truth, I’m sure without a doubt they’d all look at me with disgust in their eyes.
Without another word, I leave Griz standing there to wash up. When I come back, he’s moved on to wait for me where both our bikes are parked.
I don’t bother locking up the garage, one of the mechanics will do that at closing. They still have work to do. Where I was working was a private bay where we work on other shit besides the day-to-day stuff around here.
Griz doesn’t bring up his question again as I straddle my bike. Something I’m grateful for.
The ride to the clubhouse isn’t long enough to clear my head. Means later, I’m gonna have to find another way to release the building tension inside me. One of the fallen harlots will do for what I need. Doesn’t matter to me which one. They are at the clubhouse for a reason and one reason only.
Parking in front of the club next to Griz, the two of us head inside together. Spotting Claire sitting at the bar, I make my way straight toward her. She’ll do perfectly for the time being. Claire’s eyes come to mine as I get closer.
I crook my finger at her and motion for her to come with me. I don’t have to look back to know she’s following. At my door, I unlock it, open it, and step inside. Once Claire steps through and closes the door behind her, I take my seat at my desk.
“On your knees,” I order, my attention going to my computer.
