“I’d be interested to hear which half was true—getting laid or kissing Reaper?”
The dude was becoming less attractive the more he spoke. Shit, I bet he couldn’t change a flat tire if his life were on the line.
“The part about kissing Reaper, of course.” Jewell tried to play it off as if anyone really knew her would know she was just joking, even though this dude had no idea who Reaper was.
He nodded back, as if in understanding. “Then you’re safe with me. I’m an expert at keeping secrets.”
“Cool.” Thinking it was a strange way to put it, Jewell really didn’t give a fuck to ask, ready to terminate the conversation now that he had promised to keep mum about her wanting to kiss Reaper.
Her hand went to the metal doorknob.
“Of course …” he drawled out, “nothing in life is free.”
Chapter Two
“What in the fuck does that mean?”
Rory raised his brow at her antagonistic behavior. “Mind if I answer that question later? Right now, Shade is on the clock, and keeping a customer waiting is bad business.”
Turning, Rory made for the steps, grateful he had heeded King’s advice on what to pack for the trip to Treepoint. The winter boots he had purchased days before leaving Queen City were useful navigating the icy steps.
Reaching the top of the steps, Rory took in the man waiting for him.
“Rory?”
“In person. Shade?”
Shade gave a curt nod in response, ignoring his attempted humor. “I didn’t expect you until later tonight.”
He was beginning to feel persona non grata by everyone in Treepoint except Evie. Luckily for him, he was used to dealing with sourpusses.
“Neither did I. King was the one who decided to move up the timeline. I planned to spend the day getting reacquainted with King and Evie. I thought he would put out the welcome mat since I’m only in Treepoint because he called. Taught me not to take anything for granted.” He shrugged.
“King keeps his associates from Queen City low profile when they visit.”
“I was made aware of that fact from King before coming. Evie was the only one who saw me. I didn’t know I was supposed to be kept a secret from her.”
“You weren’t.”
Rory didn’t take offense to the way Shade took in his appearance any more than he did the woman he heard coming up the steps.
Shade switched his attention to the woman. “What took you so long?”
“I was just finishing a few details.”
Giving a curt nod, Shade moved to the side and opened the door for her. “Go ahead. They are waiting for you to open your presents. Tell them I’ll be there in a minute.”
Rory didn’t miss the curious look the woman gave Shade before going inside.
Once the door was shut behind her, Shade turned back to him. “You arriving in the middle of our Christmas party puts a wrench in my plans. I had a meeting planned for tonight after the wives had left. When we go inside, I’ll introduce you as a friend of Hennessy’s.”
“Might have a problem with that.” Rory gave a slight shrug underneath his coat. “I might have accidentally put another wrench in your plan. I told the woman who just went inside that King sent me.”
Rory could see the line of Shade’s jaw tighten.
“Maybe not. I’ll give her a heads-up. Jewell is friends with Hennessy’s wife. She would know it wasn’t the truth if she texts Arin. Jewell might be more useful keeping the other women from talking to you. They will be curious as to why we let you inside the clubhouse during the holidays. She can run interference.”
“That’s cool with me.”
“If anyone talks to you, other than saying hi and bye, let Jewell do the talking for you.”
“I can do that.”
“Let’s hope so, or you’re not going to be any use to The Last Riders.”
“Me doing a job for The Last Riders isn’t a forgone conclusion. I’m here because King asked me to do a favor for him. I told him I’d listen, and that’s all I promised. Whether I do it or not remains to be seen, so you might save the threats about not giving me the job until I decide whether I want it or not.”
A slight loosening relaxed Shade’s expression.
Rory started to like the aloof man when Shade didn’t appear angered by his comeback. He had only said it to get a reaction from him.
Rory had a lucrative career summing people’s wants and desires. To do that, he learned to read people’s actions more than the words that came out of their mouths. He had pegged Shade before he had stepped one booted foot on the porch. Shade exuded dominance. That Shade was an experienced Dominant came through when he had sent Jewell through the door without an explanation, as well Jewell not questioning Shade. Rory surmised the two shared a sexual relationship, or once had. He hoped it was in the past tense.