“Are you going to be suspicious of me if I don’t tell you?” she asks.
“No. But this works both ways, Eve. You can’t be suspicious of everything I say and assume I’m being suspicious of you.”
She blows out a breath while dragging the laptop into her lap and turning it back on.
“You’re right,” she says softly. “But don’t get mad when I show you what I’m doing.”
My eyes narrow on her, but she stares at the screen while my laptop finally cuts back on. I shift my gaze to it just as she opens a spreadsheet she’s working on.
“Fuck,” I groan, seeing all the timelines she’s created.
“I’m trying to find out what the feds have to do with the equation. It’s driving me crazy, Drex. And in case you’ve forgotten, Ben and his followers pissed me off too. I’d love to be the one to piece this all together, and since you won’t let me help you, I’m doing it on my own. It’s not up for debate.”
I miss the days she cowered when I raised my voice instead of glaring at me like she’s daring me to try and fucking argue. Maybe I should find out if she stole my balls or some shit.
Someone knocks at the door, interrupting our stare-down, and I answer without looking away. “It’s open.”
I hear the door open, but I continue staring at Eve, who doesn’t have a flicker of submission in her eyes right now.
“Am I interrupting that game to see who blinks first or something?” Rush’s voice has me finally turning to face the door.
“What’s up?”
He glances at Eve then back to me, and he holds up a folder. “Forgot to give you this downstairs. It’s everything that PI you hired found on her, in case you wanted to get caught up to speed.”
“On me?” Eve asks, causing me to groan again.
“No, babe, not you,” I grumble.
“Sorry,” she mutters from behind me. “Stopping now.”
My lips twitch, but Rush just looks confused.
“Folder?” I prompt.
He flips me off while bringing it to me, and I take it from his hand. Loud roars of engines carry up and through the open door, and I set the folder down on the table.
Something every kid has learned is the sound of their parents’ vehicle pulling up. I know the sound of my Pop’s bike, and he shouldn’t be here right now.
“Fuck,” I grumble just as Rush jogs out to go see what’s up, then I turn to face Eve. “Stay put. I’ll be right back.”
Leaning over, I brush my lips over hers, and she runs her hand across my cheek while sighing against my lips. Since I don’t know what Pop wants, I shut the door and lock it on my way out, ensuring no one can touch Eve. Hopefully I’m just being paranoid, but I don’t like the feeling in my gut.
Just as I walk down the stairs, Pop and twelve of his guys walk in from the hangar.
“To what do I owe this unannounced visit?” I ask, keeping my voice even.
“Last I checked, this is my place.”
Actually, it’s mine. But I don’t point that out.
He walks right up to me, and judging by the look in his eyes, I’m not going to like whatever he’s about to say.
“Just got back from a sit-down with Benny and his heads,” Pop tells me, staring me down like he’s waiting on my reaction.
Sledge never organized that meeting with Benny for me. We got sidetracked. Looks like Pop did it and is announcing his shady shit for all to hear.
“Without me,” I state flatly. “Your VP.” It’s not a question. It’s me pointing out the blatant disrespect in his admission.
Several of our guys bristle. Whether they’re loyal to Pop or not, you never go have a fucking sit-down with another club without your VP, especially when it involves his girl. This was mine to deal with anyway. Not his.
“It’s my club,” Pop growls, casting a glance around at everyone in the room. “Maybe you’ve forgotten,” he says, bringing his eyes back to me. “Maybe I’ve given you too much freedom with me splitting up the club to expand our reach. Maybe you’re just getting a little too big in the head to remember your place. Regardless, it is my decision that matters. Not your ego.”
A coldness settles over me, and a dark smirk emerges on my lips. “That’s how you’re going to play this, Pop? Very well. What did this sit-down bring to the table? Is Benny going to turn his son over? Are the Hell Breathers having a civil war? How did this benefit us? I’m genuinely curious what was said.”
Pop’s eyes turn to angry slits as he takes another step closer, but I don’t flinch. I know what he’s going to say, and all hell is about to break loose.