Cavalier (Crimson Elite 1)

Falcon tries calling again as I walk down the street back to the club. I left him there and went straight to her house, knowing that’s where she’d end up. I was right. She wouldn’t even say a word to me before she left, but that was unexpected.

I have to say, though, if the hands of that man who was holding her didn’t remove them before I caught my next breath, she would have been scared. And running from me would have been the least of her worries because she would have seen what type of man I really am, and I’m not ready for her to see that side of me, yet. Things like that take time, or you hide them the best you can.

“What?” I answer as I arrive at the doors knowing full well where he is before seeing him. Pulling it open, he whistles loudly behind me. I can hear his footsteps. They’re loud against the floor—Falcon’s always noisy.

“You’re chasing a woman? Never thought I’d see the day.”

I turn, letting go of the door. “Fuck off.”

He shakes his hand out like it’s on fire. “And the temper to match it. You must be invested. When do I get to meet her? D told me all about her.”

“Today.”

Falcon’s smile picks up even higher on his face. “This should be interesting.” He pushes past me and goes inside before me. Walking up the stairs, he starts to whistle the song we used to tease Echo with. He was and has always been, our lovesick friend. ‘Kissing in the Tree,’ he still hums until I grab his jacket, slamming him into the wall. All he does is laugh knowing it’s pissing me off.

“Knock it the fuck off, Falcon, before I put my fist through your fucking face.”

He brushes me off and side-steps out of my hold. “What if I like her? What if she isn’t what you think? Have you thought of that?”

I have, many times. Echo’s shown us that despite who he loves, women aren’t really what they say they are. They can deceive and lie. The only people we can trust completely are the people within our circle. Us. No one else. Everyone else just wants something from us, once they know what we have or do.

“You can fucking have her. Fuck if I care. Just a piece of ass.” Storming away, D opens his door as I walk past, then looks to Falcon before he shakes his head, shutting the door again. He knows how Falcon is, the two of us always butting heads. We are the opposite, but somehow so much alike. Where he is loud, I am quiet.

Even the same type of women, which we found out early on in high school and Falcon always got whichever girl he wanted. He had that easy-going smile which could flirt the panties off any girl who walked by. I scared most of the girls. That’s not to say I didn’t get my fair share of pussy, just never the ones that I took too much of an interest in. That’s where Falcon came in, then he broke their hearts not long after. Another thing we have in common, we don’t do relationships.

“You’ll have to introduce me,” he says as I open my office door to get away from him.

D follows me in, shutting the door behind him. Then he starts pacing the room. “You’re going to have to fire her.”

My head shoots up at his words. “No.”

He turns fast to stare at me, his eyes trained in on me. “It’s already causing problems. Soon you and Falcon are going to be fucking punching on again. He knows how to piss you off. He knows your triggers. It’s just a matter of time before you blow up at him.” He’s right, if I fight with anyone it’s going to be him. And not verbal, we use our fists. Then after, everything’s usually fine. It’s just how we operate.

“Last time I had to fucking pay for a new wall. I’m not paying for a new wall again. Do you hear me?” He steps closer.

I roll my eyes as I look back to my computer. “I think you forget, D, that you aren’t the boss. You just think you are.” He throws his hands in the air, his fists are formed and anger is evident all over him.

“If you fucks didn’t fuck up, I wouldn’t act this way. Who do you think holds this place together?”

Standing up, my chair gets pushed backward. Falcon appears in the doorway, his hands crossed over his chest.

Did I also forget to mention, that no matter what, we always have each other backs?

“Watch your fucking words, D.” Darby turns around to see Falcon and shakes his head at him before he looks back to me. “Fire her, or I will.” He walks to my door, pushes past Falcon then slams his office door.