Page 8 of Exile & Lula
“Geez, don’t I get any credit for divorcing him?”
Exile stopped glaring at Jarred long enough to notice my smiling face. His expression mellowed out, and he suddenly looked sad. We felt our time together ending.
These feelings were ridiculous. We had barely spoken. What we knew about each other was from opposition research. The feelings between us were based on absolutely nothing.
I was still disappointed when my uncle arrived through the double doors. My hand reached out for Exile’s tatted forearm. His gaze met mine, and a stubborn expression hardened his handsome face.
“I’m glad you were the one who came through the door,” I said and stepped back as Devin joined us. “Don’t forget the beer.”
Before Exile could say anything, Devin invaded the space between us and forced me into a hug.
“Your mom was losing her shit,” Devin whispered in my ear. “Bebe and Pax will be here soon. They took the chopper.”
Devin kept me wrapped against him as he reached out and shook Exile’s hand. “Will your crew remain here for much longer?”
“Are you asking us to leave?”
“No, I’m asking if your people will act as security while Lula gets fixed up?”
“We aren’t going anywhere until she does.”
Devin always looked like he had just rolled out of bed. He claimed working vice meant he didn’t need to brush his brown hair or shave his face. Despite looking like a slob, Devin was a sharp guy. He sensed immediately how possessive Exile was behaving right now.
“These fucks attacked in broad daylight in the heart of Little Memphis,” Devin told Exile. “Do you think they’ll come in here to start shit?”
Exile immediately got his back up and again scanned the glass windows facing out to the parking lot where his club was set up. With his mind on threats, the agitated biker didn’t complain about Devin guiding me toward where Jarred gestured for us to enter the treatment area.
Despite my better judgment, I glanced back at Exile as the doors closed behind me. His smoky eyes refused to look away,nearly daring me to leave his sight. I offered him a little smile and hoped we’d share that beer someday.
EXILE
During the ride to Little Rock, I had planned to stick to Tallulah’s side until she was back home.What a crock of shit!I couldn’t even remain at her side while we were at the hospital.
I stood alone in the lobby for far too long. A part of me insisted I storm into the treatment area and ensure Tallulah was safe. I didn’t care about her ex-husband or her cop uncle. She wasn’t safe unless I had eyes on her.
“You’re like a sad dog waiting for his owner to return,” Zodiac said as he strutted into the lobby. “Someone’s got a crush, I see.”
“Don’t start. You’ve been ridiculously horny about Clint Reed’s sister.”
Smirking, Zodiac only shrugged. “Her name is Elle, and I intend to fuck her. Nothing will stop that from happening, but you don’t see me standing outside her house, whimpering to be let inside.”
“Fuck off.”
Zodiac’s cocky expression shifted into a warm smile. “That Tallulah is a pretty one, for sure. But you need to give it up for now. We should be focused on the Void, not what your dick desires.”
I nearly told him that my interest wasn’t dick related. Despite my edgy need for Tallulah Reed, I was smart enough to know sharing my feelings with Zodiac would be opening myself up to ridicule. Zodiac frowned upon romantic attachments within the club.
Rather than defend myself, I asked, “Do you think the Void would send people here?”
“Maybe. They swung hard by grabbing the Crimson Guard’s lawyer. They wouldn’t do that if they weren’t ready to get dirty.”
“Is she safe here or back in Little Memphis?”
“Is anyone safe anywhere?” Zodiac replied unhelpfully.
“I can’t talk to you when you’re like this.”
“True. Your heart’s gotten ticklish, like a woman’s. You’d be smart to give me space until your balls are juiced up again.”
