“Very well. What did you mean?”
“Keeping things between us as just friends.”
I closed my eyes and smiled. “I’m not sure how to respond.”
Rebel stood, put her hands on my shoulders, leaned forward, and kissed my cheek. “Thank you, Edge.”
After agreeing to come back to the dining hall for dinner, I called a meeting. Rile had returned to London, but Grinder was still here as were Decker and I. On my way to my place, I rang Mac as well as Hammer. If Rebel’s former attorney was somehow involved, Hammer’s assistance could be helpful.
One by one, they arrived at the house. Grinder, who I’d expected to show up first, was last. The moment he walked in, I knew something was off.
“What is it?” I asked before he walked over to join the others.
He looked up at me as if he was surprised by my question. “Nothing.”
I raised a brow.
“Unrelated.”
“Anything we should discuss?”
“Not now.”
I accepted his responses in the way I always did. Grinder would talk when he was ready, and no amount of pushing would ever change that. Oddly, the same was not true when it came to me. The man could be relentless. I suppose that’s what made us best mates. He knew that, ultimately, I needed to talk things out. Conversely, I knew he didn’t. At least not until he was ready.
“Thanks for agreeing to meet so expediently,” I began as I tossed the photos I’d taken of Rebel’s car onto the table. It was almost unrecognizable, given the amount of damage done.
“Any security footage?” Decker asked.
Mac shook his head. “Only of them knocking out the cameras.”
“They knew where they all were.”
“Hays County doesn’t have the resources you have here at the ranch. They aren’t very well hidden. In fact, we use them as a deterrent, more than surveillance.”
Among the symbols of hate painted over the majority of the exterior was the same threat issued to Rebel by the ranch hand. Essentially, that she’d pay for Possum’s death, one way or another.
“It seems our circumventing the coup at the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas was more of a byproduct of our infiltration rather than neutralizing the threat against Rebel.”
The men at the table nodded their agreement.
“Hammer, how much do you know about John Lynch?”
“Boring little fucker. Been practicing law longer than I have and is still a PD. What does that tell ya?”
“Decker?”
“There’s nothing, Edge. When Hammer says Lynch is boring, it’s an appropriate description. He’s got no links to the ABT, and his link to Possum was a big enough stretch that I understand why the judge didn’t ask for his recusal.”
“Hammer, you seemed to believe otherwise.”
“I have a different moral code than many of my fellow attorneys. Any connection to the opposition is grounds for recusing a case.”
“What was the connection?” asked Mac.
“Second cousin, thrice removed.”
“For Christ’s sake, does anyone understand that shit? They were cousins. Isn’t that enough?”
“As a point of law—” Decker began.
“Fuck the point of law,” muttered Mac. “They had a connection. I’m with Hammer. He should’ve recused himself. That he didn’t, makes him suspicious in my book.”
“Logical too that he’d know where the courthouse cameras were located,” said Hammer.
“A three-year-old would know where the cameras were,” mumbled Grinder, the first words he’d said since we were seated.
“Are we in agreement that whoever is posing this threat is operating outside of the ABT?” I asked.
“For now,” answered Decker. “We’ll keep an open mind, however.”
“No need to send anyone else in, then?” I confirmed.
“Agreed.”
“Mac, are you working your sources?”
“Damn straight.”
“I’m checking footage from area businesses. Maybe the vandals missed a feed somewhere,” said Decker.
I filled them in on the possibility that Rebel would be traveling to and from Austin, and potentially working there.
“That complicates things. What’s your intention?” asked Decker.
“Fixed around-the-clock surveillance.”
“Has she moved back in?” asked Grinder.
I shook my head. “No, but I’ve got it covered.”
“I’ll be your second.”
I would’ve asked, eventually, but given his current mood, his offer surprised me.
As the other three men were leaving, I asked him to stick around.
“Fancy a pint?”
“Sure.”
I handed him a beer and a glass and joined him at the breakfast bar. “Not going to England for the holidays, then?”
Grinder leaned forward and put his head in his hands.
“Talk to me, mate.”
“No. I’m not.”
“Right.”
I sat back in the stool and looked out the windows at the rolling hills of King-Alexander Ranch. I often thought I could happily spend the rest of my days right where I was. Would that be enough for me? I worried that it wouldn’t. The idea that someone, namely Rebel, would be by my side made it seem more sustainable.
If she were to follow her dreams, she wouldn’t be here, though. She’d be in Austin. To me, any city was just that. They all blended into one another at some point.
The question begged, why was I putting so much stock in the possibility of a relationship with her? I’d told her that the amount of time we spent together was irrelevant, but was my sudden desire to settle down circumventing all logic? Was it more about me than her? I didn’t believe it was, but it was certainly a thought worthy of consideration.
I found myself wanting to talk to my brother again. There were times in our lives when I could’ve gone weeks, perhaps even months, without doing so, but in this, I needed his counsel.
“I’m getting a Christmas tree. Rebel and I are going to decorate it with popcorn,” I blurted.
“You’re off your trolley.”
“Maybe not, Grind. Maybe for the first time in my life, I want to make memories rather than just avoid looking back.”
The sadness I saw in my friend’s eyes cut me to my core. So many times in the years I’d known him, I wished I could do something—anything—to help him. Like now, I felt powerless to make a difference.
“I’m not ready to talk about it.”
I walked over to the fridge and pulled out two more bottles of beer, steeling myself against any reaction whatsoever. Never before had I heard those words. I was stunned.
“Get over yourself,” he said, yanking one of the bottles from my hand. “I’m not suggesting we start a quilting circle.”
“A quilting circle?”
“You know what I mean, ya wanker.”
“I love her.”
Grinder nodded. “We all know that, Edge.”
“Why doesn’t she?”
“Gonna take something a lot stronger than a pint to answer that one.”
37
Rebel
I promised Tee-Tee I wouldn’t be gone long on the day of my interview, even though she said it wasn’t necessary for me to hurry back. However, I couldn’t see myself feeling good about interviewing for one job while shirking the responsibilities of another.
The pastry chef, Susan—which, yes, I found ironic—told me late mornings were best for her to meet. After breakfast was served and the kitchen was clean at the dining hall, Edge drove me to Austin.
“I appreciate this.”
“Yes.”
“Edge…are you listening to me?”
“Of course.”
He seemed distracted, but then, so was I. I was far too nervous to focus on a conversation, so I don’t know why I was trying to start one.
I looked out the window and took several d
eep breaths. There was a part of me that had already decided Susan was granting me the interview solely as a favor to Steel. A much smaller part of me hoped that I, at least, had a chance at the apprenticeship.
When we spoke on the phone to schedule the appointment, Susan told me it wasn’t a full-time position. I’d be required to be at the restaurant three days a week—Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. At some point, I would also work Friday and Saturday evenings to help plate dessert when the restaurant was busy.
“Who will you say you are?” I asked Edge, suddenly realizing how unprofessional it would look if I brought a man with me. Would they think he was my boyfriend? It would probably make it worse if I told them he was more of a bodyguard.
“I’ve worked it out with Steel.”
I didn’t know what that meant, but I guess I didn’t need to.
Lingering in the back of my mind was what I would do for transportation if I was actually offered the position. It wasn’t like I’d made enough money to save for another car.
When Edge pulled up a few doors down from the restaurant, I saw Steel waiting nearby.
“Break a wooden spoon,” he said as I got out of the car.
“Thanks. I’m nervous.”
“You’ll do great.”
I could see the sincerity in his eyes. No one had ever been as good to me as Edge was. I wouldn’t have dared to dream that one day I’d have a boyfriend that was anything like him—not that that’s what he was. We were friends, at least I hoped we could be.
“Susan has everything ready,” Steel told me as he unlocked the door and escorted me into the closed restaurant.
The interview went far differently than I’d anticipated. It was more of an introductory meeting and tour. When I explained I had no formal training nor had I attended school for a job like this one, her only response was, “Good. I won’t have to break your bad habits.”
I filled out the employee paperwork, gave her my sizes for my uniform, and we agreed on a start date after the first of the year. As she’d told me on the phone, I was expected to be at the restaurant Thursday through Saturday mornings, and would add Friday and Saturday evenings after the first two-week trial period.
By the time Steel walked me out, my mind was reeling.
“I got the apprenticeship,” I told him once we were outside where Edge was waiting.
“I knew you did.”
“How? I mean, she barely interviewed me.”
“You’ll have to ask Tee-Tee.” Sometimes I forgot how small Barton Creek was. Of course Steel would know Tee-Tee.
I looked at Edge, who shrugged and then congratulated me.
“See you in January,” said Steel, hugging me. “And have a Merry Christmas.”
“Right. Thanks. You too.”
Edge opened the door of the car, and I stopped before I got in. The urge to kiss him was so overwhelming. I couldn’t, though.
“Whose car is this?” I asked when he came around and got in the driver’s side. I’d been so preoccupied on the drive here, I hadn’t noticed it.
“Mine,” he answered nonchalantly.
“It’s gorgeous.” I ran my hands over the buttery leather, completely overwhelmed by the dashboard that looked like it belonged in an airplane.
“I was wondering…”
I waited, but Edge didn’t finish his sentence.
“What?”
“Did you still want to help me decorate a tree?”
To be honest, I’d forgotten all about it, but not because I didn’t want to.
“I’d love to, but, Edge, are you sure you do?”
“I wouldn’t have mentioned it if I didn’t.”
Those were the last words he said until we were through the ranch gates.
“Well?” asked Tee-Tee the minute I walked in.
“I got it.”
“Don’t sound so excited.”
“I am excited. According to Steel, you had something to do with it. Thank you.”
“Mija, what’s going on?”
I slunk down in the chair. There was no point in lying. “Something’s up with Edge.”
“What do you mean?”
“The best way I can describe it is, you know how I am right now? That’s how he was the whole way back.”
“Maybe he has a lot on his mind.”
“He asked me to help him decorate a Christmas tree.”
Tee-Tee’s eyebrows shot up.
“My reaction too.”
“Come and sit.”
Since whenever I ignored that request, she yelled at me, I went along willingly.
“It’s possible to find yourself without pushing everyone out of your life, Mija.”
“I’m not pushing him out of my life, I’m taking a step back. We’re still friends.”
“With rules.”
“What’s your point?”
“Why not let things happen naturally? Instead of feeling like you have to be romantic, or can’t be romantic, just be. If you want to kiss him, just do it. If you don’t, well, then you’re estúpida. My point is, how can either of you feel comfortable when you’re together if you’re so worried about what you can and can’t do, can and can’t say?”
“I already told him I only wanted to be friends.”
“You changed your mind. If you want, you can always tell him that you’re estúpida.”
“That I am or that you said I am?”
Tee-Tee patted my hand. “Both, Mija. Now, what’s for dessert tonight?”
I’d decided earlier to make peppermint brownies. They were easy, and with the addition of mint, they’d be Christmas-y too. I dug out my cell phone—Edge’s cell phone that I still needed to return to him—and sent him a text.
I’ve been thinking about the Christmas tree.
Moments later, he responded. Change your mind?
I had changed my mind, but not about the tree. I think we should go and get one tonight.
While he hadn’t responded to my text, I was happy to see him in the dining hall for dinner. Grinder was with him, which I didn’t recall happening before. The man laughed and smiled often enough, especially when he was around Edge, but it always seemed as though he had an underlying sadness. Maybe that’s why they were best friends. After losing his parents at such a young age, Edge probably carried sadness too. Just like I did because of my mother’s addiction.
Once I had the brownies plated with a dollop of fresh whipped cream, I grabbed a tray and took three portions to their table.
“Hi, guys.” When I set the tray on the table, Edge got up and pulled out the chair next to him.
I gave him what I hoped was my sweetest smile. “Thank you.”
“By all means.” He sat back down, seemingly leaving my smile unnoticed.
I set one plate in front of him, one in front of Grinder, and took one for myself.
“This looks fantastic.” Grinder looked at Edge as though he expected his friend to say something, but he didn’t, nor did he take a bite of the brownie.
“Don’t you like chocolate?”
“Sorry, what?”
“I asked if you liked chocolate.”
He looked at the plate and then up at me. “Not terribly hungry.”
My eye caught the brief look of surprise on Grinder’s face.
“Okay, well, I’ll leave you gentlemen to finish your conversation.” I didn’t wait for Edge to respond; I stood and walked away.
“Rebel, wait.” Edge jumped up and followed me.
I stopped and took a deep breath before I turned around. “I’m sorry I interrupted.”
He looked down at the floor. “You didn’t.”
“Is it me, Edge, or is something else going on?”
He looked up and into my eyes. “I’m truly happy that you were offered the position.”
“I can tell.” I half-laughed, remembering how Tee-Tee had said the same words to me this afternoon.
He looked over his shoulder and then led me out the dining hall en
tryway. “I think we should forgo the tree decorating.”
“Tonight or at all?”
“At all.”
I bit my bottom lip, trying my hardest not to cry. I wasn’t a six-year-old; I was a grown woman. I shouldn’t be crying over a Christmas tree.
“I’m not sure I can do this.”
“This?”
“You. Me. Friends. I know it makes me a wanker. Maybe after some time passes, but…”
“Say it, Edge.”
He shook his head. “I sound like a sprog.”
I cocked my head.
“Loose translation: baby.”
I laughed. “I’m fighting tears over the disappointment of not getting a Christmas tree. Who’s the sprog?”
He laughed too, and I loved the sound of it.
“I’m not sure I can do it either. You know…you, me, friends.”
The smile left his face, and he nodded. “I understand. Completely.”
“I mean, what’s it been? Two days? I’m already failing miserably.”
This time, he cocked his head.
I waved my hand in the direction of the dining hall. “If not for the room full of ranch hands, I’d kiss you…long and deep and hard.”
“Bugger me,” he muttered and then picked me up like he had so many times before, and carried me out the front door. He set me on my feet, grasped the back of my neck, and brought his lips to mine.
His kiss was soft at first and then probing. He moved his hand from my neck to the back of my head and held me in place as he devoured my mouth. He kissed me so hard it hurt, but I wanted more.
Edge backed me up against the building and lifted me so his hands were on my bottom and my legs were around his waist. He rested his forehead against mine, and I could feel his hardness grow as he pressed against me.
“It has been so bloody hard to keep my hands off of you.” His fingers dug into my ass cheeks. “I can’t be with you and not touch you, Rebel. I know that makes me weak, but I can’t do it.”
“I can’t do it either.” I kissed him again, pushing him like he’d done to me. “Take me home, Edge.”
38
Edge
Edged (The Invincibles Book 2) Page 18