“That’s right, I am. Remember that.”
He walked to the shower and turned on the water.
Then he grabbed the sheet and tore it off my body. I hurried and covered my breasts, willing myself not to get turned on, but that was impossible when Trent was so close to me.
“Take your shower and go the hell to sleep,” he said. “Stay out of it, Harlee. You don’t know a thing.”
“I know plenty,” I said. “Don’t be afraid.”
“I’m not afraid of anything,” Trent growled.
“Yes, you are,” I said, trying to cut into him.
He got close to me, towering over me, pissed off.
My body ached for him. Between my legs, I was already wet, dripping and wanting Trent’s touch.
Slowly, he leaned down and kissed my forehead.
Then he left the bathroom.
I had no idea what the fuck was happening between us.
But I knew this…
I was really starting to fall for Trent.
twenty-three.
(trent)
When I got back to the table, the shit eating grins on both Jasper and Trev made me want to knock them both out.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing,” Trev said. “Sit down. Let’s finish our talk now that the extra ears are gone.”
I pulled out the chair and sat down. “Talk then.”
“The Daxton situation,” Jasper said.
“It’s not a situation,” I said. “We put out the word he’s out of his mind and anyone who sees him takes him down. Simple. We have bigger issues.”
“I agree with you,” Trev said. “With the O’Nuall situation. I hate playing by their rules. I hate the idea of doing something they want. But it comes with other benefits.”
“Like what?”
“They’re willing to deal the guns,” Jasper said. “We make a down payment and when your father is gone, that’s the remainder.”
“Easy,” I said.
“Not easy,” Trev said. “You’re prepared to do that?”
“I don’t have a choice,” I said. “He’s a loser degenerate. He’s been in debt his entire life. He has this coming.”
“Let me do it,” Jasper said.
“No,” I said.
“How will they know?” Jasper asked.
I looked at Trev and Trev nodded. We both knew the O’Nuall family would know.
“They have eyes everywhere,” I said. “Plus, they’ll probably control the setup. Put me and him in a room together.”
“No,” Trev said. “It won’t go that far. They want him dead. They want your hands covered in his blood. I have to provide proof.”
“So then let me shoot him,” Jasper said. “Then Trent can stand over the body with the gun. We can call Bryant.”
“Enough,” I ordered. “I’ll face my father. I’ll take care of it. But I want my demands met.”
“Your demands?” Trev asked.
“Yeah. For this club. I want the guns free and clear. And I want the O’Nuall family to pull Night Soul into the deal.”
“What?” Jasper asked.
“We end it,” I said. “Everything with Ripper ends with this. So if Night Soul wants guns…”
“Christ,” Trev said. “We go through hell and just give it all away?”
“No,” I said. “We end this.” I rose up. “I have to take care of my old lady again. We’ll bring this to the table for a vote. I’ll get in touch with my father and feel him out. The way I see it, we have to do this to put the power back in our hands. If Garvan and Bryant want to see the monster and see how ruthless I am and we are, then we do that. Emotions have to be put aside.”
“Says the man who is suddenly engaged,” Trev said.
“What if Bryant said to kill Harlee?” Jasper asked.
I looked at the VP. “Luckily he didn’t do that.”
“But he might,” Trev said.
“Then we face that problem then,” I said. “We’ve got Night Soul on the ropes. They lost a member by running their mouths to the O’Nuall family. Now they have a member running rogue. They pose no threat.”
“They will when they get their guns,” Jasper said.
“Bring it to the table,” I said. “Okay, Prez?” I looked right at Trev.
“You know, you’re playing a really fucked up game here, Trent,” Trev said as he stood up. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“I’m in complete control.”
“I would hate to have to cut that enforcer patch off your dead ass,” Trev said. “But I will if I need to.”
“Nothing to worry about.”
“Actually, there is,” Jasper said. “That down payment we talked about? Garvan wants it in two days.”
“How much?” I asked.
“More than we have,” Trev said. “Cade’s been going through the numbers and we’re tapped. Ripper really left things in shambles. We could rebuild legit, but that’ll take time. Plus, that cash we need to keep on the books to keep the other side of the law happy. This needs to be dirty money.”
“Don’t say drugs,” I said. “We go that path…”
“No,” Trev said.
Jasper grabbed my shoulder. “We need the monster… the enforcer…”
“To do what?” I asked. “Want me to knock off some gas stations?”
Trev smirked. “It’s going to take more than that.”
“You’re going to be famous with some Russians.”