Page 26 of Chaos
"But the cost..." she whispers, looking down at her plate. "Those places run thousands per month. I can't possibly?—"
“I’ll be paying for it." I tilt her chin up, forcing her to meet my eyes. "I got it covered. Trust me.”
The other brothers suddenly find the ceiling and walls fascinating, pretending they're not listening to every word.
“You no longer have rent or bills to pay." I reach into my back pocket, pull out my wallet, and slide a black credit card across the table. "You're my ol' lady now. Your job is to focus on school, which I'm also paying for. This card is for clothes, books, incidentals, whatever you need or want.”
She stares at the card like it might bite her. I can practically see the arguments forming behind those beautiful eyes, her pride and independence rising up. But to her credit, she remembers what I told her about challenging me in front of the brothers. Her lips press together until they're almost white, but she doesn’t contradict or argue with me.
Good girl.
"I'll be with your grandmother during the transfer." Zeus’s easy smile breaks the tension. "I'll make sure she's comfortable every step of the way."
Rowan's shoulders relax slightly, but I can tell she's still struggling.
"I visited her yesterday.” Zeus leans forward, elbows on the table. " We had a blast. Stayed almost two hours. She’s an awesome lady.”
Rowan smiles so wide I can see her molars. And I’m struck with a twinge of jealousy.
“Yep, we played bingo and shuffleboard. And I won a pudding cup." Zeus acts like he just won an Oscar.
A giggle bursts from Rowan's lips. Fucker made her giggle.
"She calls me Robert.” Zeus sits back in a cocky pose, arms crossed over his chest, chin held high. "Said I look like Robert Redford.”
“I don’t see it,” I growl, mean-muggin’ Zeus, who better shut his damn mouth.
“Anyhow, this new place has a big band event coming up, and Eleanor promised to show me how to swing dance.”
Rowan's eyes fill with tears, but she's smiling now, the tension bleeding from her posture.
Zeus launches into an impression of an elderly lady calling him Robert while she bats her eyelashes coquettishly and explains the footwork of the jitterbug. Rowan laughs so hard, she holds her sides, which only serves to encourage Zeus.
I love to hear my girl laugh, but not at Zeus’s stupid antics. A hot possessiveness flares in my chest. Irrational, fierce, and burning.
"Church." I push up from the table, the chair legs scraping against the floor. The word silences the room immediately.
"Now?" Zeus’s eyebrows shoot up. “I haven’t eaten yet.”
“Now.” I stare him down until he nods.
Rowan’s gaze flicks between me and the brothers, sensing the sudden tension but not understanding it. "Is everything okay?”
I bend down, brushing my lips against her temple, letting my hand slip possessively to the nape of her neck. "Everything's fine, sweetheart. Just club business."
She nods, rising from her chair.
“Mama Pat’ll show you around today. Then you can study, lounge around, or do whatever you want.” I can't resist pulling her against me in front of the club and all my brothers, claiming her mouth in a hard, possessive kiss that leaves her breathless.
"Jace," she whispers against my lips when I finally release her.
"Mine," I growl loud enough that all my brothers can hear. "Don't you fuckers forget it."
Chapter 13
Rowan
Chaos's fingers tangle in my hair, tilting my head back just enough to deepen the kiss, his tongue sweeps in to claim every inch of my mouth. Heat explodes through my veins, lighting a raging inferno.
