Kimber sighed heavily. Letting go of Chad’s hand, she leaned back in the chair. “I wanted to see him last night. I think I should’ve stayed home. I thought I was special. Turns out I was wrong.”
“Then he doesn’t deserve you.”
“No, he doesn’t, but it hurts nonetheless.”
“You need to turn this around. Show him what he’s missing, girlfriend.” Chad punctuated his statement with a wide smile. “Next time he comes around, you turn him away. Better yet, let’s find you a hottie to make him j-e-a-l-o-u-s.”
“Anton went to Santa Barbara and I have no idea how long he’ll be gone. He went to see some woman called Tam, said in his phone conversation that she was to tell someone she belonged to him. So I doubt finding a hottie would work in my favor.”
“Maybe, but men like your neighbor, they get all territorial when they see someone cutting in on what they want.”
Kimber couldn’t argue. After all, he had gotten pretty pissed when the biker from his rival MC had his hand on her person.
She shook her head. “I hate drama and I don’t play games. If Anton wants to treat me that way, then I don’t need him.”
“That’s the spirit. Make him regret his actions.”
Tena walked in, carrying two tall paper cups with sleeves. She handed one to Chad. She looked between both Kimber and Chad. “Okay, what did I miss?”
Kimber looked at the clock and stood. “Time to open the doors.”
“Really? Seriously?” She trailed Kimber out of the room, damn near on her heels. “You can’t think to cut me out of your conversation. What did I miss? And don’t tell me nothing.”
“Ask Chad. He can tell you. I have a lot of work to do today.”
Tena stomped her foot. “Not fair. Chad’s a vault!”
Kimber chuckled, heading for the entrance. She turned the deadbolt, opened the steel and glass door covered by a large literacy poster, and squealed when someone jerked the door from her grip, making her heart jump from her chest.
Placing a hand over her sternum, she said, “Sorry, you scared me,” before she looked up and into the eyes of Anton’s roomy.
Chapter 18
“What’s up, P?” Grayson walked into the clubhouse meeting room where he found Kaleb sitting at the large wooden table, the other thirteen seats empty. His lips turned down and dark shadows rimmed his eyes. Kaleb scrubbed his palms down his face, then scratched at his beard. The rest of the house remained silent and free of any other vampire’s scent, telling Grayson they were completely alone.
“Have a seat,” Kaleb directed, followed by a yawn.
Grayson pulled out a chair and sat, unsure why Kaleb had called the meeting. “You getting much sleep, P?”
“Not lately.”
Leaning back, he crossed his arms behind his head. “Where is everyone?”
“Just you and me, Gypsy. I sent Xander and Ryder over with the box truck to help Wolf pack his shit. Suzi and I finally got moved. It was time to get Stefan out of the clubhouse, safer for him.”
“No doubt in that. Can’t have everyone privy to your whereabouts.”
“More specifically Mircea, the son of a bitch. Cara and Kane don’t think he’s responsible for Kinky. Me? I’m not so sure. I wouldn’t put anything past the sneaky little bastard. And I’m certainly not going to give him access to my son.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Grayson tipped his chin. “So why did you want to see me privately?”
Kaleb leaned forward, clasping his hands in front of him on the table. “I need someone I can trust.”
“You know I got your back, P.”
“Tamera have Luke?”
Grayson’s expression warmed at the mention of his son. “Actually, your mate is watching him. Tamera had an assignment out of town. Said she’d be back in a few days.”
“How’s it going having her back at the newspaper?”
“She loves being a journalist, and I love alone time with Lucian.” Grayson smiled. “If Tamera’s happy, bro, then I’m happy.”
“I’ll need to call Suzi, see if she wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on Luke for a couple of days. I need you, Gypsy, can’t trust anyone else with this.”
“You want to fill me in?”
“Viper’s MIA.”
“I thought he was going north to recruit Red and the Knights, bringing them back into the fold.”
“That’s exactly where he’s supposed to be. Unfortunately, Red’s VP confirmed Viper had been there, but that he and Red went south.”
“South? What in the hell for?”
Kaleb shrugged, leaned back, and toyed with the wooden mallet before laying it back on the table. “I have no fucking idea, and my brother isn’t answering his phone. Cara assures me it’s just a bonding trip between the boys. I’m not stupid. He either went fishing for Kinky’s killer or something else is going on.”
“Devil territory with just him and Red? Not the smartest thing to do.”
“I agree.” Kaleb leaned an elbow on the arm of his chair, his forefinger resting against his temple. “Viper isn’t ignorant, so why head to Devil territory with Red? The man can’t even help him, should he get into trouble. He’s no vampire. Better yet, why keep me in the dark?”
“You think he’s working with Blondy.” Grayson rolled his eyes. “I’ll never get used to calling him Rogue, even if he is a fucking traitor.”
“I honestly don’t know what the hell to think.” Kaleb sighed, exhaustion clearly evident in his heavy lids. “You and I are going to Santa Barbara. Will Tamera be okay with Suzi watching the baby?”
“Tamera won’t question club business. She trusts me and I know she trusts your mate.” Gripping both arms of the chair, he rocked back on two legs. “Besides, we’ll likely be back before she will.”
“You may want to call her, just in case.”
“She’s on some assignment. Told me it’s best I don’t call.” He rocked back forward, the front legs of the chair hitting the floor with a thud. “I don’t want to blow that for her. If we don’t make it back by tomorrow, I’ll send her a text.”
Kaleb grabbed his cell from the table and pointed it at Grayson. “I’ll call Suzi. You go pack an overnight bag and meet me back here in an hour. I’d like to hit Santa Barbara before tomorrow.”
“Any idea where we might find Viper and Red?”
He shook his head. “Not in the least, but I do know where to find Rogue. I was told by Prospect Lightning, that Rogue road out of town last night … alone, said he followed him to the state line, which I believe means he headed back to Devils territory. Question is… Why the hell he didn’t take that overgrown fuck with him? Lightning said the big guy was laying low at the farmhouse.”
Grayson stood and grabbed the keys to his bike. “Well then, let’s find out what the hell Past P is up to. If he’s looking for Kinky’s murderer, then I think we need to give him a hand. If he’s not, then I want to know what the hell he’s up to. See you in an hour.”
* * *
Kaleb watched as Grayson exited the room, leaving the clubhouse once again quiet. Something was up with Kane. He could feel it in every bone in his body. His twin might think he was pulling one over on him, but he and Kane had been born minutes apart. Kaleb could feel when something was off-kilter with his twin, and Kaleb planned on finding out what it was.
He stood and exited the meeting room, looking about the living area. He could hardly remember a time when it had been this quiet or this empty. It had always been a hub of activity, a constant flow of booze and women. There had been some damn good parties thrown here. He smiled. Now with him, Kane, and Grayson all mated, Rogue having defected, it gave the clubhouse a complete different feel.
Time to hand over the keys.
With Grigore moving in, the place would soon be overrun by bachelors again. The clubhouse would once again become what it was, something Stefan shouldn’t be a part of. The torch had been passed with Kaleb having moved out. He’d miss the place,
no doubt about it. Hell, he and Kane had lived under the same roof for years. There was a time when they shared everything, even an occasional woman.
Never had there been secrets.
He swiped his cell home screen, found Suzi’s number and hit SEND. He needed to get Lucian taken care of so Grayson and he could get on the road. Time to find out what the fuck Kane was hiding. He sensed something was up with his twin, and he wasn’t about to let up until he found out just what the fuck that was.
“Hey, babe.” Her voice warmed him.
Damn, he loved his woman. “I need a favor, piccolo diavolo…”
* * *
“I didn’t mean to startle you.”
The man’s deep voice raised the hairs on the back of her neck. Tena may trust Anton’s houseguest, but Kimber couldn’t say the same. There was a reason Anton meant to keep his MC brothers from knowing about her. She wasn’t about to ignore the warning it was meant to be. She hadn’t thought about it before, but maybe he was trying to keep Tam from knowing about her and there hadn’t been any danger at all. Anton had seemed so sincere about keeping her safe and out of his motorcycle club business. She had easily bought into his reasoning.
Hell, he had even bought her a dog.
If this was nothing more than to keep his mystery woman from finding out about her, then Anton best keep his sorry ass in Santa Barbara. There would be no forgiveness for him this time around.
“I didn’t expect anyone to be on the other side of the door so early this morning is all.” Kimber stepped back and let the man enter. His presence filled the room as completely as his large frame had the doorway. “Is there something I can help you with?”
His ice blue gaze held hers, sending a shiver down her spine. “You do have books, I assume.”
Heat rose up her cheeks. Of course. Why else would one come to the library? “Anything in particular?”
“Preacher?” Tena practically squealed as she skidded to a halt just short of running into the man. “What are you doing here?”
Kimber stifled a smile, waiting for another sarcastic retort sure to come.
“Is it that unusual you might find one such as myself in a public library?” His icy gaze warmed at the appearance of her coworker. No cold, unforgiving fixed stare. “I’m looking for books on spiritualism. If you could be so kind to point the way, Tena.”
Tena grinned. “I got this, Kimber,” she said, without once taking her eyes off the menacing man before them. “I’ll be glad to help, Preacher.”
“Do you have a last name, Preacher?” Kimber was unsure why she asked, other than the possibility of Tena becoming a missing person. It certainly shouldn’t be ruled out. After all, this man didn’t look as if he walked on the right side of the law.
“Bourassa, ma’am. Bobby Bourassa.” He raised one of his dark brows. “Do you ask everyone who walks through the door their name?”
“If they’re checking out books, I do.”
His lips thinned, making them practically invisible behind his long whiskers. “I have yet to check any out.”
“No.” Kimber leveled her gaze, not about to back down from his scrutiny. “But you might.”
He winked at Kimber and chuckled before turning and following Tena down one of the long aisles, between two of the eight-foot-tall book shelves.
“You do seem to be checking out one of my friends, though,” she muttered beneath her breath.
“Are you that worried?” Chad asked over her shoulder, causing her to jump.
Kimber hadn’t realized her other co-worked stood so close behind. She chuckled. “You heard that, huh?
“Mmmm hmmmm.” Kimber turned, seeing Chad’s gaze trained on the couple, now pulling books from the shelves. “I think the jury is still out on that one.”
Heading to the front desk, Chad trotted quickly behind her. “Tena isn’t really known for picking out upstanding guys.”
“Really?” Chad chuckled, stopping on the front side of the check-in desk as Kimber skirted behind it. “Really?”
Kimber knew he insinuated her own recent choices. Anton wasn’t exactly on the upstanding list himself. Especially after his fast retreat to Santa Barbara. Maybe she ought to be analyzing her preferences rather than criticizing someone else.
Pushing the power button, she started up the computer. “You’re right, Chad. Point taken.”
“I’m not saying I agree with her Bear-alicious hottie over there, even though I can certainly see the appeal. I got to say that man oozes sex.”
Kimber smiled and shook her head. Her gaze went back to the keyboard as she signed in and typed in her password. “You’re incorrigible.”
“What I am is honest.” Chad punctuated his statement with a wide smile. He walked over to the night drop box and started pulling out books that had been deposited. “Tell me you wouldn’t want a piece of all that hotness.”
“Not my type.”
Carrying the stack of books needing to be checked back in, Chad shook his head. “I won’t bother with a response, girlfriend.”
“What? Anton is nothing like Mr. Bourassa.”
“Which is why your neighbor also goes by the name of Rogue? Not to mention the fact he left you to go see someone else. Hmmmmm?”
Kimber winced. “Ouch. Point taken.”
“You needed a reminder, girlfriend. Tena needs to make her own mistakes.”
“You’re right.” Kimber looked up as she heard Tena’s giggle. Tucking one side of her short blond hair behind her ear, Tena smiled at Bobby. It was clear in her actions she was smitten with the biker. “Maybe he’s a better man than Anton.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.” Chad started scanning his stack of books back into the system. “But if you don’t give her a chance to figure it out on her own, she’ll resent you for sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.”
Kimber couldn’t argue with Chad’s advice. She had no right trying to tell Tena who she should date, any more than anyone had the right to warn her about Anton. Though, in truth, someone probably should have. Fact, Anton had gone south to see Tam, a woman he clearly said belonged to him. Time to suck it up and move on, find someone who might actually be good for her, and not someone who considered friends with benefits a good arrangement.
She wasn’t getting any younger. Someday she wanted to settle down, have the relationship her parents had, not to mention have kids. Her biological clock would soon start ticking. She needed to find someone who would make a good husband and daddy.
Anton Balan was a biker. Worse yet, he was an outlaw motorcycle club biker. She didn’t know him well enough to make an assumption that he was one of the good guys. Not to mention, his lifestyle was not daddy material. She had lived beside him for a few years, but they hadn’t exactly gotten to know each other outside of the sack. What did she really know about him other than he knew how to give a great orgasm?
“Maybe you’re right, Chad.”
“I’m always right.” He looked up from his stack of books and smiled, a sparkle in his light brown gaze. “What am I right about?”
“You said I needed to find someone else, make Anton jealous.”
“And as I recall, you said you hate drama and playing games.”
“I do.” Kimber nibbled on the tip of her nail. Anton needed to see her life did not revolve around what day he might next make an appearance. Time to move on with her life. “I think maybe we ought to see if Tena and Preacher want to make a trip to the Rave.”
“You’re going to try to make neighbor boy jealous?”
“Nope. But I don’t want him thinking I’m going to fall to pieces because he has another woman either.”
Chad picked up his stack of books, ready to place them back on the shelves. “So what’s your plan?”
“I say we get Tena and Preacher, if he wants to tag along, and we all go out for a night of dancing.”
“At the Blood ‘n’ Rave? You hate that place.”
“Murphy’s is definitely more my s
tyle, but right now I’d rather defy Anton and go where Anton forbid me to go.”
He narrowed his gaze. “He said that?”
“He did. Preacher will surely tell him we were enjoying our evening.”
“And that isn’t playing games or trying to make him jealous?”
“I have no intention of trying to make him jealous. He can have Tam for all I care.” She lifted her chin. She could go where she wanted and do as she pleased. “I want Anton to know I am my own woman and I’m not his to order around. I don’t belong to him, and I sure in the hell am not going to wait around for his return. I say we go out for a night of fun, drinks, and dancing. You in?”
“You know it.” Chad held up one hand not cradling the books and gave her a high-five. “I’ll go shelve these. Why don’t you see what Tena and her man candy are up to tonight?”
Kimber’s gaze traveled to Tena and Bobby now making their way to the desk. To her surprise, Bobby actually had a few books in hand. He placed them on the desk. The Secret by Rhonda Bryne lay on top of the stack, surprising her at his choice of reading material. Maybe Bobby was deeper than she gave him credit for and she had unfairly misjudged him.
Pulling the books toward her, she handed him a sheet of paper. “I’ll need you to fill this out, Mr. Bourassa.”
“Call me Preacher.” He dropped his gaze to the sheet of paper, picked up an ink pen, and started to fill it in. Finished, he slid it back across the desk. “You need anything else?”
“Driver’s license … and an agreement to accompany the three of us to the Rave tonight.”
His brows knit over the bridge of his straight nose. “Why?”
“Because I need your license on file in case you forget to return our books.”
“No. Why go to the Rave?”
“I could use a night out, a little fun between coworkers. I’m thinking Tena might like to have you along. You game?”
Bobby looked ready to refuse. He smoothed his beard as his gaze went from studying both her and Tena. His eyes twinkled, and he chuckled. “Sure. Why the hell not.”
Rogue (Sons of Sangue Book 4) Page 19