Screw (Hell's Handlers MC 8)

“Honey,” Cassie said, leaning forward. “Any man who walks away from you is an utter fool. If that happens, you send them my way and I’ll deal with them for you. But I really think they might surprise you.”

Once again, she was near tears. “Thank you.”

At the sound of the front door opening, Cassie straightened.

“Cas?” Viper’s voice sounded from the front of the house. “Got a few men here with me claiming they’re supposed to have a late lunch with Jazmine.”

“We’re in the kitchen,” she called out before dropping her voice. “All right, girl, fix your face, straighten your wig, and hike up your tits.”

The moment her men entered the kitchen, Jazz’s stomach flipped, and her heart fluttered as though it’d been months instead of hours since she’d seem them. Each sought her out immediately. Screw’s eyes zeroed in on her face and with a frown, he tilted his head as though to ask, “You okay?”

She nodded at him with a smile.

They stayed for a few moments chatting with Viper and Cassie before heading back to Screw’s house.

As soon as the three of them were alone in the privacy of Screw’s kitchen, he said, “Jazzy, we need to talk to you about something.”

Shit. This was it. Her stomach lurched and she nearly had to dash for the sink to lose her coffee. “Uh, about what?”

About what?

Way to take Cassie’s advice. At no point did she recommend playing dumb.

Gumby walked up behind her, slid an arm around her waist, and drew her against him. He dropped a kiss on her cheek as though the sweet gesture was the most natural thing in the universe.

Screw sighed as he leaned against the counter with folded arms. “We haven’t talked about the CDMC since the disastrous night of the party, but they’re still out there and they won’t go away unless we take action. We can’t just sit around hoping they’ll disappear or waiting for them to make a move against us.”

Wait…they didn’t want to talk about their relationship?

Maybe later, she’d feel ashamed of the staggering relief that coursed through her, but at that moment, she embraced the ability to keep her head in the sand a bit longer. Not that the CDMC was a more welcome topic of conversation.

“Uh,” she cleared her throat, finally finding her voice. “Yeah, I know you guys have been working on something. Guess I was just kinda hoping it’d all vanish. Stupid, right?”

Gumby tightened his arms. “Not stupid. Think we’d all love that.”

“You ain’t kiddin’,” Screw said. He walked over to them, ran his hand through Gumby’s hair, then kissed her.

God how she wanted this every day of her life.

“We’ve got something going down tonight. I can’t give you details. If I could, I would.”

Stomach twisting with newfound worry, she held up a hand. “I know, Screw. Don’t worry about that. I know how the club works.”

He tilted his head, giving her a half-hearted smile. “You’re too good to be true, Jazzy.”

“She sure is,” Gumby added before saying, “We’ll be gone most of the night.”

Screw nodded with his mouth set in a serious line. Oh, God, he was worried. Very worried. And that only served to terrify Jazz. “Um, okay,” she said. “What’s the plan for me? Tex gonna hang at my house or something?”

“Girls are gathering at Copper and Shell’s. Slumber party style from what I hear,” Gumby said. “We’ll come get you when it’s all over.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Could they hear the false bravado in her tone? The feigned confidence?

Screw cupped her face between his strong palms. “Baby, it’s okay to not be happy about this.”

Apparently, they could sense it.

“Yeah,” Gumby said in her ear. “No one expects you to be strong for us and hide your fear.”

“Tell me, baby,” Screw said. Then he kissed her again, softly and with so much care she wanted to cry. Did they really not see it? Not see how wonderful they worked as a three-lover team?

She almost laughed. A three-lover team. Was that even sustainable in the real world where people knew about them?

“I’m scared,” she whispered putting a voice to so much more than just the club’s activities.

“We’ll be all right. This isn’t as dangerous as you’re thinking.” Screw looked straight into her eyes as he spoke.

“But it is dangerous?”

“Fuck, Screw,” Gumby said. “Not helpful.”

“I’m not gonna lie to her,” he said with a scowl for Gumby as he released her face.

“No,” Jazz cut in, patting Gumby’s hands where they rested against her stomach. “It’s okay. I don’t want to be coddled. I’m strong enough to handle it.”

“Yeah, you are,” Screw said. He kissed her again. As she sank into the pleasure of his mouth melding with hers, Gumby’s lips landed on her cheek. Then Screw’s. Then hers again. Before she knew it, they were engaged in a three-way kiss.