Forever

by Saffire , Blue

  “Those heels are going to take you out,” Holden taunts.

  “Ugh, they were not meant for me to walk in them. I hadn’t planned to do more than go into the office and back to the truck to go home,” I groan.

  He throws his head back and laughs. Fine, we can both laugh at my pain. It feels good to do that after all my worrying lately.

  Taking a glance at his outfit, I grin. Holden is a tall lanky sort of guy. Not lanky in an awkward way. He carries himself well enough.

  His burgundy slacks are a slim fit and his loafers give him a polished look. He actually looks like he could be on a magazine cover. Edgy, but not rough like King and Brick can pass off.

  “Look, you modernized James Dean. Just because we all can’t pull off the loafers and caviar look doesn’t mean we’ve all failed at life,” I toss out.

  “Oh,” he bursts into laughter. “Loafers and caviar? James Dean? Good one.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You know, I like you this way,” he says.

  I look up at him, drawing my brows in. “What do you mean?”

  “You smile more here and… I don’t know. You seem happy. Back home, you were always… off to yourself. Sort of guarded, I guess. I can’t blame you. Things are always intense back there. I can’t imagine it’s easy being the prez's sister,” he replies.

  I shrug. “I think I blocked it all out years ago. The bunnies have never been too nice to me and the brothers kept their distance for the most part. My books were better company, with the exception of Misty and Reap.”

  “Reap, now that’s one I keep my distance from.”

  “Really? Why?”

  He looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “You’re kidding?”

  “No, why?”

  “Can I ask you something? How much do you know about the club?”

  I take a moment to think that through. “Honestly?”

  “Yeah, honestly,” he replies.

  “My dad was the prez and then my brother took over. We’re one of about ten chapters, I think. I get the whole business thing with some of the brothers. Oh, and Uncle Mix is the VP.

  “There’s a subdivision in our chapter. That’s the Squad, they can be a bit scary. At least, the ones I know of, but after what you told me back at the office, I’m questioning that knowledge a bit,” I say truthfully.

  “Yeah, you should. Maybe you should ask Brick to fill you in a bit more. I’m feeling a little out of place now that I know how little you know.”

  I look up and catch the nervous look in his eyes. I make a note to ask Brick a few questions. I chew on my lip, if he considers it club business he may not answer.

  That could be a problem. I’m starting to want to know more. Although, I’m still processing this Squad captain thing.

  “Hey, do you remember that orgy you walked in on at the clubhouse?” Holden says.

  My mouth pops open and I palm my face. With a groan, I shake my head. “You were there?”

  “Nearly blew my cover laughing so hard at you,” he says. “You should have seen your face.”

  “Well, I walked in by mistake. What were you doing in there?”

  He snorts. “Technically, I was there first. I was trying to get high in peace. Not my fault they picked my hiding spot.”

  I laugh as I remember that night. I’d been reading and walked into the room not paying much attention. Otherwise, I would have noticed the room was occupied.

  “Wait, do you remember that time that one brother got so drunk he couldn’t find the bathroom so he pissed right in the middle of the clubhouse?” Holden asks next.

  “Oh, yeah, I do. I was in the corner reading and looked up right as he whipped it out.”

  “See, you’re always around. Just not paying attention.”

  “Fine, I get your point,” I say and bump my arm into his.

  “Do you remember Molly dancing on the pool table until her wig fell off?”

  I squint my eyes as if that will help me remember better. This one doesn’t come back to me. I try to think harder, but still nothing.

  “No, I don’t recall that one,” I say.

  “Come on, you were sitting right there. You have to remember,” he says.

  “What? Really?”

  “Well, damn. That’s pretty amazing. No wonder you didn’t react. You weren’t paying attention.”

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “Go on.”

  “What brought you here to Georgia? How did you end up Brick’s assistant?”

  I peer up at him in time to catch him rolling his eyes. “I needed a break from my brother. He means well. I know he’s just looking out for me, but it gets to be a bit much. I talked to King and here I am,” he says.

  “I can totally relate to that. King can be intense sometimes. He definitely means well. I guess college gave me a reprieve,” I muse aloud.

  “But he doesn’t know about this thing with Brick,” he says with a bit of caution in his voice. “I mean, Brick told me to mind my fucking business in but so many words, but I’m not going to run home and tell either way. Like I said, I like you like this.”

  “No, he doesn’t know. It sort of just happened. We’re going to tell him. Brick is waiting for the right timing,” I say.

  “No need to explain to me. If King ever asks if I knew, I’m blaming the memory.” He taps his temple.

  “Ah, but then you would be breaking a Lost Souls rule, we don’t lie.”

  “Wait, so you do know more about the life,” he says teasingly and bumps my shoulder this time. “Besides, I’m not a Lost Soul, remember? My brother has blocked that one.”

  This time when he says the words, I hear something in his voice. It’s a longing or disappointment. I peek up at him once more.

  “Why do I get the feeling there’s a lot more to you, Holden?”

  “Because there is. I’m this great mystery hidden in the Lost Souls’ world,” he teases.

  “Aren’t we all?”

  Chapter 21

  Family

  Eva

  I had such a good time with Holden as we walked to get lunch. He got in a few more teases about my deer walk in my heels. I managed to throw a few more of my own jabs. We’re laughing to the point of tears when the elevator opens to a raging Owen, pacing in front of the car bay.

  He doesn’t give me or Holden a chance to get off. “Let’s go,” Owen demands as he storms right on and jabs the button for the lower level.

  I look to Holden with wide eyes. He looks forward, but I can feel the anticipation rolling off of him. I’m not sure what’s going on, but Owen looks too angry for me to even ask.

  “Both of you, get in the car,” Owen barks when we reach the parking garage.

  Holden doesn’t ask questions as he holds open the BMW’s front passenger door for me, before climbing into the back. Owen pulls out of the parking garage like a madman. My stomach tightens.

  I get the feeling something big is going on. My thoughts go back to what I’ve learned. Brick is the Squad captain.

  I swallow the implications of that thought. The silence of the ride is deafening. The only sound that registers is the pounding of my heart.

  “Holden, take the keys to my Harley,” Owen orders when we arrived at the house.

  Holden does as he’s told as he jumps out of the back seat. I get out of the car right before Owen reaches my door. He tugs me to the elevator by my wrist.

  Still, he hasn’t done more than bark a few orders. Once on the apartment level, I have to kick off my shoes to keep up with his long strides. He drags me to the bedroom where he sets me on the bed.

  He pulls out a duffel bag and starts to throw things in for me. Once the bag is packed, he tosses me a pair of my old jeans and a baggy T-shirt. I dress in confusion. I don’t understand what is going on.

  Has King found out about us? Should I be worried? I have so many questions, but my tongue is tied.

  Within ten minutes, he has two bags packed and has chang
ed into jeans and his cut. We return to the garage where Holden is waiting for us. I see the lunch we bought resting in the trash can, all but forgotten.

  Owen tosses Holden one of the bags. “Let’s ride,” he says, climbing onto King’s bike.

  We are on the road before I can clear my head. Holden is on Owen’s bike and Owen and I are on King’s, heading to South Carolina. I’d never seen Holden handle a bike, but he keeps up with Owen the entire way.

  I’m frustrated and exhausted by the time we pull into the compound’s gates. The three-hour ride has taken its toll. I stumble off the bike on jelly legs.

  “You all right?” Owen asks as he reaches out to steady me with a hand on my hip.

  I watch the frown that mars his face as he quickly pulls his hand away. I know my sadness shows in my eyes because his frown deepens. I tuck my helmet under my arm and nod my head to indicate that I’m all right.

  “Listen, baby,” Owen starts, but he cuts his words off as King comes marching out of the clubhouse. Owen draws his lips into a thin line. “We’ll talk as soon as I get shit straight,” he says low enough for only me to hear.

  King stops in front of me just then and pulls me into a bear hug and kisses the top of my head. “Thanks, brother,” King says over my head, not letting me out of his embrace. “I mean it. Thanks for keeping her with you for so long while I got shit in order.”

  I pull out of King’s arms and turn to look at Owen. If my eyes read hurt a few moments ago, they’re telling him I’m crushed now. I thought I was staying with Owen because he wanted me to. Not because King asked him to babysit me.

  I wish the hurt ended there, but it doesn’t. King’s next words kill me. I feel the knife as it runs through me.

  “This problem is growing, brother. Jemma and Mags showed up asking to be inside the gates for lockdown. I need you inside to handle that crazy-ass wife of yours,” King grunts.

  “Ex-wife,” Owen growls as he locks eyes with me.

  “She ain’t seeing it that way. Just go handle that shit,” King retorts.

  King wraps an arm around my shoulders, totally oblivious to the fact I’m falling apart inside. I can’t even look at Brick. I follow King into the clubhouse lifelessly.

  When we step inside, the last voice I want to hear reaches my ears. Magdalena is demanding something of Jacks, one of the oldest members of the club. He sits staring at her like she has lost her mind.

  Magdalena turns in our direction and a grimace reaches her lips. “What the fuck is she doing here? If she’s staying, I sure as shit am,” she shrieks.

  “Shut your damn mouth, before I shut it for you,” Brick snaps as he rushes pass me.

  “Handle that shit, Brick. She disrespects my sister again, she’s out on her fucking ass. I don’t give two fucks,” King says hotly.

  “Your sister?” Magdalena says with wide eyes. A smug grin comes to her lips as she looks between me and Brick.

  “Brick,” King warns. He turns to me. “You look exhausted. Why don’t you go to your room?”

  “Yeah,” I say and turn to leave.

  I should have known there was nothing truly going on with me and Brick. He had to watch over me and made the time useful to himself. He’s a Lost Soul. It’s what they do.

  Owen

  “I said shut the hell up,” I growl and grab Mags by the top of her arm.

  I glare at Jemma, warning her to follow me. Thank God Mags zips her fucking lips. I can feel King watching us as I pull Mags simple ass outside with me.

  I march to the edge of the property, way out of ear shot. I am hanging by a thread. I need to talk to Eva. I saw her face. I know she’s thinking all types of shit I need to expel from her brain.

  I’d take ten Eva’s over Mags any day. In any category—looks, personality, and hell, brains. Baby girl has me so wrapped around her finger I can’t see straight. I’m dying inside right now and feeling like the pussy I sound like.

  I stop and spin Magdalena to face me. Before I can lay into her ass the smug grin on her face makes my blood run cold. I’ve never wanted to hit a woman. Fuck, Mags has made me want to choke the life out of her more times than I can count, but here and now I want to slap that smile off her face.

  “She’s King’s sister?” She cackles out loud. “Holy shit, Brick. He has no idea you’re fucking her, does he? You dirty son of a bitch. Oh, my God, she’s the little fat one who used to watch you every time we came here. This is priceless.”

  “You’re fucking Eva?” Jemma gasps. “Are you crazy?”

  I pinch my eyes closed. “I’m not fucking her,” I growl.

  “Are we forgetting I walked in on you pounding her ass into your desk,” Mags snorts.

  I open my eyes and give her a death glare. I then look at my cousin. “I’m not fucking her, she’s mine,” I finish this time.

  “Oh, God, Brick. You have to fix this shit. King is going to lose his fucking mind. We can’t afford for you to be stripped of your patch now,” Jemma says frantically.

  “Enough,” I bark. “Stay out of my business. What you two need to be telling me is why you are here. What the fuck have you gotten into this time? And how the hell did you know to come here for lockdown in the first fucking place?”

  “Rodney has been keeping me updated,” Jemma says in frustration. “I told you we needed your help.”

  I run a hand through my hair. The Squad is going to have to teach Rodney the meaning of loyalty and keeping his fucking mouth shut, again. I swear, if he wasn’t Mix’s nephew… Give him pussy or alcohol and he’s an open fucking book. That shit is going to get him killed.

  I narrow my eyes at Mags. First, she bribes Beth, my receptionist, for a full fucking year, now this shit. I couldn’t believe that shit when Diggs reported it back to me.

  I’m at the end of my fucking rope with these two. I’ve given them more than enough slack to hang themselves, especially Mags. I have no doubt she’s going to choke soon.

  “What have you done?” I look at Mags.

  “It was me,” Jemma whispers.

  I whip my head in Jemma’s direction and narrow my eyes. “Oh, come on, Jemma. What now?” I groan.

  “She didn’t do it alone.” Magdalena sighs.

  “Look, spare me the lovers’ quarrel. What did you two do?”

  I watch as fear registers in Magdalena’s eyes. For the second time, it dawns on me, I’m not the only one she has feared lately. Mags likes to push my limits, but she has always feared taking things too far. I’ve seen it in her eyes.

  In this moment, she has something else in her brown depths. These two have definitely gotten their selves into some deep shit. I shouldn’t care, but my instincts force me to focus.

  King says shit is brewing and these too show up here. Mags’ visit to my office is nagging at the back of my mind now. I was more worried about Eva then. I know I should have kept my eye on these two, but I’ve been wrapped up in my woman instead.

  However, my common sense kicks back in. This is Mags and Jemma. These two live to stir shit up. I’m not getting dragged into their manipulation. Not this time.

  Whatever they want, I plan to squash that shit and get them far away from here. I don’t need their brand of trouble. Messy, I can do without.

  The longer I’m out here with these two, the longer Eva has to spend in her head, thinking all types of shit that ain’t right. I feel in my very bones she’s questioning everything about us in her pretty little head.

  Straightening that shit out is more important to me, but I hold back to get to the bottom of this little evil duo. I resolve in my mind I need Eva to know she’s the only one who matters. I don’t give a shit what Magdalena or Jemma have to say, because with each second that passes, I can feel I’m losing my woman.

  Bitterly, I shove my selfish needs down. These two showing up here isn’t good for the club. I don’t like the way Mags looks at Jemma as we stand here, I need answers.

  I don’t want the song and dance Mags is going to give
me. I don’t need it. I know the way these two work.

  Jemma is known for skirting as close to the truth as she can when she’s trying to manipulate me for Magdalena. I can count on ninety percent of what she says to be true. Tonight, that ninety percent is better than being blindsided.

  So, I hold my hand up when Mags opens her mouth, and I point to Jemma. “You, start talking, now,” I command.

  Mags opens her fucking mouth anyway. “What are you going to do for me to keep my mouth shut?” she asks.

  “You don’t want to go there with me,” I say. “You assume I’m too much of a gentleman to really harm you. You play that game, but let me remind you of this, Reap is itching to put you to ground. All I have to do is say the word.”

  “Calm down, Brick,” Jemma says, pinching the bridge of her nose. “You two drive me crazy.”

  “I want to know what she means to him.”

  “Why do you care?” Jemma glares at Mags.

  “I want to know.” Mags shrugs.

  “None of your fucking business. The only thing I want to hear coming from your lips is what the hell you’ve gotten yourself into and how you dragged my ass into it this time,” I seethe.

  Magdalena changes her expression. I guess my willingness to listen trumps her curiosity about Eva. I start to pace and shrug out of my cut. I’m becoming pissed and overheated.

  I feel my muscles become taut with tension as I wait for this shit show to start. My biceps flex and my jaw tics as I tighten my grip on my cut. Jemma starts to pace. I swear, I can touch the tension between these two. I can read the trouble in paradise.

  I look at Mags to study her and watch her gaze run over me. I snort at the lust-filled look in Magdalena’s eyes. I once relished in that look.

  My ex-wife is a conniving bitch, but she’s an attractive one. Mags has the type of beauty that grants her whatever she asks for from fools. I was once her fool.

  However, that will never happen again. Magdalena has received all the attention she will ever get from me. I wouldn’t touch her with a ten-foot pole now. She’s a costly mistake for any man willing to entertain her. That won’t ever be me.