Sterling arched his brows. “The worst thing you can do is lie to her.”
“Backatcha,” Reason muttered, hoping Nory was smart enough to stay out of Sterling’s bed until he was through playing the field. “Guys, give us a minute.”
Sterling took a seat and motioned for Nory. As soon as she sat next to him, he released a sigh. If she’d sat on his lap, he would’ve placed a phone call to Cartwell and that wouldn’t have been pretty.
“So I can’t talk to her alone?”
“Kane said not to let her out of our sights,” Stellan said.
“I’m sure there are a few exceptions.”
They didn’t budge. Either they had it bad for Nory or they were literal to the very core.
“All right, have it your way.” Reason butted his hips against the desk. “Jade is in danger. A young woman came in the club last night sporting scars and—”
“I heard about it,” she interrupted him. “Stellan told me. So it is because of my dad and his deal with Hank Sarsarone? That’s why you’re leaving?”
“To an extent.”
“Why else would you go?”
Sterling smirked. “Yeah, Reason. Why?”
“Shut the fuck up,” he muttered. “Stick around—and I have a feeling you might—and I’ll return a favor someday.”
Stellan gave Nory a loving smile, which she returned. These three definitely had something in the works and while Reason believed it was innocent now, it probably wouldn’t stay that way.
“I owe you the truth,” Reason said finally. “Kellan and I want to do right by Jade. We can’t do that here and figure out how we feel about her if we’re dodging bullets.”
“So you’re already in her bed?” Nory collapsed against her chair. “That didn’t take long.”
“We’ve known her a while, Nory.”
She shot Stellan and Sterling a few sideways glances. “Good point.”
Picki
ng up on what she meant, he quickly said, “No. What I mean is—”
“Save it, Reason. I know where this is going. It’s okay for you and Kellan to jump in the sack with my best friend, but I can’t hop on a few bouncers or bartenders because I’m not Clink-age-legal yet.”
“Now, can you guys give us a minute?”
“Hell, no.” Sterling looked at Nory as if he could eat her right up.
Irritated, Reason said, “Look Nory, we’re taking off for a few weeks. We’re staying here tonight. Kellan and Jade are over at her condo now gathering her belongings. Come by after ten and say your goodbyes but not your apologies. We’re taking her out of town because we’re selfish. We want time alone with her. Sure, we’re staying a little longer until things settle down here but we want her to ourselves too.”
“Well, why didn’t you say so?” She jumped up and threw her arms around his neck, hugging him goodbye. Then she turned to Stellan and Sterling. “You guys ready?”
“Yep.” Sterling rose then and shook hands with Reason. “Have a safe trip, man.”
“Thanks.”
“Watch yourselves,” Sterling added, patting him on the back.
“You take care of scrawny girl,” Reason said, hugging her once more.
“Don’t worry about me, Reason,” Nory said, eyeing the twins. “A lot can happen in three weeks. Besides, it takes twenty-one days to make a habit and without Jade around, I can focus on what’s important.”