With another whiskey poured I start to move back down to where I can see Hunter watching me. I hesitate before pulling my courage together and asking Lucien, “Why don’t you ask her out?”
He pauses mid-drink. “She needs someone strong. Someone who isn’t an embarrassment to her. That isn’t me…anymore.”
God, this man is so full of hurt he’s going to have me in tears. I cover his scarred hand with the both of mine and tell him, “Lucien, you are one of the strongest men I know. And any woman would be proud to be with you.” Quickly releasing him, I move toward Hunter, but not before I notice Ruben standing behind Lucien, frowning.
Hell! McKenzie men are everywhere tonight, pulling at my heartstrings.
“You’re popular tonight.”
I shake my thoughts of Lucien and smile at Hunter. “They’re the boss’s brothers. Would you like another?”
“No thanks. I need to head out.” He stands from the stool he’s been sitting on, and throwing some money onto the bar, starts moving away. He stops and looking over his shoulder seems to come to a decision about something and with quick strides, he makes his way back to me and indicates with his finger for me to come closer to him. I do, meeting him halfway over the bar.
“There are things going on in this place that are dangerous,” he whispers as my eyes widen in surprise, but he continues, “I don’t think your boss knows either. In fact, I’m ninety-nine percent sure he doesn’t. If you see something that you think is out of place, ignore it. I don’t want you getting in the middle of anything.”
Hunter straightens back up, but I grab his arm. “Who are you?”
He smirks. “A rough and sexy, good guy.”
My eyes track him across the club until I lose him in the dim lighting.
He hasn’t told me anything I didn’t know, but he has confirmed to me that it isn’t my imagination. As for staying away from it all, I can’t do that because I need some sort of proof before I go to Ruben. I know he’s aware of something going on here at Kenza, but I’m positive that he doesn’t know what. I have a feeling it has something to do with Simon, and Ruben won’t believe his trusted manager is up to no good unless I have proof.
I’ll be so glad when my shift finishes tonight so I can go home and think about everything that has happened and how to get the proof I need. I only hope being in Ruben’s arms stays out of my head, but I have a feeling it’s going to be front and center.
Chapter 7 ~ Ruben
Coming awake abruptly, I lie in bed trying to decide what actually woke me up—waiting—thump thump!
Someone is banging on the door…and my phone is buzzing away having been put on silent as I dropped into bed last night, or rather the early hours of the morning.
Rolling out of bed, I stroke down my morning wood, which feels damn good. Grabbing my phone, I realize I’ve missed calls and numerous texts from Ramon telling me to open the ‘fucking’ door. At least I know whose trying to break the door down.
Yanking up last night’s jeans, I zip them as I make my way across to the door, which I open, and turning my back, say, “Give me a minute, I need the john.”
“Whatever,” Lucien mumbles.
I hope they’ve brought breakfast and coffee. Lucien has a thing about Starbucks and with a bit of luck, I hope they’ll have called on their way over. I can hope.
Needing to take a leak, I shove into the bathroom and close the door behind me, praying my dick behaves now that it’s started going down.
My brothers have a habit of dropping in unannounced, but not usually so damn early, which fills me with dread. What have they discovered?
No matter how many times my brothers tell me not to take the vandalism and break in personally, it’s difficult not too. It’s my place. Why wouldn’t I take it personally? By causing shit to happen here, the person responsible is basically hitting me where it hurts. I’m pissed with everything and last night was the first night I’ve slept properly in so damn long.
I grin because that had more to do with Rosie than anything else. She’s under my skin and has been for a while. Her soft skin calls for my fingers to touch her—her innocence—her sass. God, does she have sass. She’s a hot little package, which has managed to do what no one else ever has—caught my undivided attention—making me chase.
Frowning at the thought of the chase, I pull a sweater on and grab some clean socks, thinking about what move to make next on sweet Rosie. I should leave her alone, but I can’t. I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want Rosie.
“Ruben, what the fuck are you doing in there?”
“I’m coming,” I reply to Lucien.
“Did we really need to know that,” Ramon comments and starts laughing when he sees me walking toward him.
“Fuck you!” I say, but there is no fight in my words.
Chuckling, I help myself to a coffee and chocolate chip muffin that they’ve brought with them before turning to face them. “Why the early morning visit?”