Page 7 of Stripping Keys
“I don’t fuckin’ think so.” Dipping his face down, he gets directly in mine, our noses nearly touching. “You aren’t fuckin’ goin’ anywhere. Not until we have all our answers.”
Keys lets me go, spins around, and stalks back into the clubhouse, leaving me to face the wrath of the other men standing in front of me.
West comes to stand next to me, taking my side. Good thing because I’m gonna need him.
“You two better start explaining what the fuck you two have been up to,” Dad growls harshly.
“Better yet, what the fuck are you playing at, Marla? You are all bitchy, but bring intel to help the club? Doesn’t add up.” Griz sneers.
“West, you’ve been covering for her, and now, it’s time to come clean,” Marshall says a little more patiently, though his remark is directed right at my best friend and not at me. Meaning, he’s choosing to ignore me rather than talk to me.
Great.
“How about we take this back inside?” West suggests. “We could explain over a beer or something.”
“Talk, now,” Dad snaps.
“It’s not something that either of us can talk about,” I tell him tersely. “Now, we have another meeting to get to. I’ll make sure to stop by and see Mom later.”
There’s no way I’m waiting around for any of them to ridicule me further. None of them know me, and they don’t have theright to get mad at me for what I’ve done for them. My life isn’t their business, and they can get over it. I’ve jumped through plenty of hoops for them. They can either accept me for the way I am or exit my life completely.
As for Keys, he can go to hell with his demands.
CHAPTER FOUR
MARLA
“That didn’t go as planned.” West grunts from behind the wheel, heading back to the hotel.
“Went just about as to be expected,” I mutter, focusing on the view out the passenger window. “Let’s just get our stuff and get out of here before they come to find us.”
“You think we’ll actually make it out of town?” West snorts.I glance over in his direction to see him shaking his head. He taps a finger on the steering wheel. “Maybe we should just head out, not worry about our stuff. Go trade this one in for one of our cars before we meet with Calyx. We could even have him send one of his men to get our stuff from the hotel.”
“I’ll text him,” I say, liking the idea of it all. The last thing I need or want is to have to deal with any of the men from the club, not after that bullshit show.
Pulling my phone out of my bag, I find Calyx’s number at the top of my contacts right under my mom, dad, and siblings. And of course, West. I type out a text and read it twice.
Me: Things didn’t go well at the meeting. Need you to send someone to get our stuff. We’ll meet you later to go over everything.
Hitting send, I set the phone on my lap and stare out the window, refusing to think about what Keys said or the reactions of my dad and brother. None of them know me, and it seems seeing me bringing them the intel I did was something they didn’t expect.
A moment passes into another before my phone pings in my lap. Lifting my phone, I read the message on display. It’s not from Calyx like I thought, but rather Keys.
Keys: Don’t even think about leaving town, woman. If you make me search for you, I’m going to make it so you won’t be able to sit for a week.
My ass spasms at the very thought.
The bitch in me reacts in a similar way that I’m sure will irritate Keys when he reads my message.
Me: Guess you’ll have to put your money where your mouth is. Catch me if you can.
Smiling, I hit send, a giggle slipping past my lips just as my phone pings again. This time it’s not Keys, but Calyx.
Calyx: Ditch the car. We’ll take care of your hotel. Meeting is moved to the morning.
I read it aloud as another text from Calyx comes in.
Calyx: You made a hell of a mess with the club, Mar. Not something to be easily fixed. The women are at the clubhouse now, and Marley is livid. She and Marshall are verbally sparring. Griz looks like he’s about to commit murder on Marley’s behalf.
