Page 82 of Surrender (Angels Halo MC Next Gen)

“If you want to survive in that family, you have to be okay with a lot of shit really quick,” I warned.

“Yeah,” she agreed. “I’ve figured that out.”

While I finished doctoring my coffee, she picked up her phone. But I noticed how her brow furrowed as she read something on the screen.

“How hard is it to tend bar?” she asked.

“Dunno,” I answered honestly. “I’ve never done it. Jack and his uncles make it look fairly easy, though. I mean, if you can handle the craziness here at the office, it shouldn’t be an issue for you to pop the tops off a few beers and fill a few pitchers with draft. But you’d be on your feet a lot, and you seem pretty beat, considering you’ve been doing physical therapy as well as working here. Jack won’t like that, fairy.”

“Do you need anything?”

I frowned at her quick change of subject. “You’re not going home?”

“Jack said he’s going to be at least an hour since he has to help his dad.” She shrugged. “He’ll be upset if I walk home.”

So would I. The fairy was too precious to let her just wander around. What if she got hurt on the way? I’d have to hunt down anyone who even thought about harming her, not only for Jack’s sake, but mine as well.

Placing my mug beside the coffeepot, I blew out a heavy breath. “He needs to teach you how to drive.”

“I don’t really have a desire to learn,” she argued. “I could take the subway when I lived in New York, and Jack or his dad always drives me now. It makes him happy, and I like to keep him happy.”

Fuck, she was too sweet. Her father should have been slowly tortured before being bled out for all the shit he’d put her through. Only a truly evil motherfucker would set up their own daughter to be abused like Nishia’s had done. Jack and the rest of the MC were a bit twitchy about Clint Morgan still breathing.

“Oh, I have no doubt how happy you like to keep him,” I teased with a laugh. “Give me a few minutes to grab my stuff, and I’ll drop you off. I can finish the new plans for that heifer at home.”

In my office, I packed up everything I would need for the weekend and then reached for my phone. Elias still hadn’t texted me. If he was on-site, then he would be busy. I knew that. But he should have at least texted me.

I considered checking one of my apps to see exactly what he was doing, but his lack of communication hurt too much. Picking up my phone, I glared into the camera on the off chance that he might be watching.

“You want to give me the silent treatment? Fine! Sleep in your own bed tonight. Asshole.” I blinked against the sting of tears. “How could you not kiss me?”

Smothering my angry growl behind my teeth, I tossed my phone into my bag and threw the strap over my shoulder. I paused outside Jos’s office. “We’re heading out, Jos. If Jack stops by, let him know I took Nishia home.”

She looked up from her computer, giving me a tired smile. “Okay, honey. See you both on Monday.”

“You don’t have to do this,” Nishia said when I joined her in the lobby. “It’s only an hour, and you were busy. I could have found something to keep myself occupied until he was able to pick me up.”

“I need a change of scenery anyway,” I dismissed. “Besides, if Elias can leave early on a Friday, so can I.”

I was already thinking about where I could be other than home when he got back. Perhaps I would stop in and check on Abi…

Which reminded me about the elusive Professor Vaughn. I definitely needed to recheck the feed from the second camera. Berkeley’s call had messed up my entire afternoon. Fuck!

“He went to help with an issue at Reid’s site,” Nishia defended. I kind of liked that she was protective of him. But at the same time, I kind of wanted to shank her. In the ear. With a rusty ice pick. If I didn’t know how much she loved Jack, I might have.

“Meh,” I muttered as we walked toward my car. “He still left the office. Fucker didn’t even tell me he was leaving.”

“What are you two arguing about now?”

“I don’t argue.” I tried not to whine, but I didn’t pull it off. With Nishia, though, I knew she wouldn’t judge. “Besides, arguing with brainless buffoons like Elias Reid will only give a person a headache.”

“You must keep the headache-relief pharmaceutical companies in business, then,” she said with dry amusement.

She was so adorable, I burst into giggles. “Smartass. Text your man to let him know you’re going home.”

“I’ll do it after you drop me off. Otherwise, he’ll get all grumpy and leave to come check on me. I didn’t want to distract him while he’s busy.”

“You’re not saying you don’t like to distract him any other time.”

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