Wolf could see her beginning to get agitated. Something was going on. “You sure?”
“Yes. I’m sure.”
She slid off her bar stool. He figured that was his cue to leave, so he stood as well. “I should be getting back then.”
She nodded. “Yes.”
He walked to the elevator, but stopped and turned back to her before stepping on. “If anything happens…anything scares you, you call Crash, understand?”
“Of course. Thanks again for bringing the seat over.”
He stepped on and shut the gate. “You’re welcome, Shannon.”
*****
About an hour after Wolf left, Angel and Crystal showed up. Angel pulled her car off the street at Crash’s door, blocking the sidewalk. Getting out they walked up to the steel door. Angel knew the guys were all at the clubhouse, and therefore Shannon was here alone. Flipping up a hidden cover she exposed the intercom access. Pressing the button, she leaned in and said, “Shannon, its Angel and Crystal. Open the door.”
A few moments later the door rolled up, and Angel pulled her car inside. Getting out, she saw the elevator was already coming down. She reached in the backseat for a paper grocery bag, and they headed to the elevator.
Shannon was standing waiting for them when they reached the second floor. “Hey, girl. Thought we’d come by and see how you were doing.”
Shannon gave her a hug, crushing the bag between them. “Thank God you’re here. I’ve been searching the internet for recipes, and I don’t know what the hell half of them are talking about. Caramelize, dredge, par-boil. Who talks like that? ‘Simmer until done’. What does that mean? How am I supposed to know if it’s done?” Her eyes moved to Crystal.
Crystal raised her hands. “Don’t look at me, I’m just along for the ride.”
Angel noticed the panicked tone and laughed. “Settle down, honey. I’ve got it all in the bag here.” She held up the paper bag in her arms.
“What’s that?”
“Dinner. I brought everything you need to knock Crash’s socks off.”
“Thank you. You really are an Angel! What are we making?”
“My recipe for Stuffed Shells. It’s one of Crash’s favorites. We can make it, slip the pan in the fridge, and you can bake it right before he gets home. We’ll throw together a salad and some garlic bread. He’ll love it. I guarantee it.” Angel headed to the kitchen and began unpacking the ingredients.
“So, he’s had your cooking before?” Shannon followed her.
“Of course. He’s been over for dinner many times.”
“Has he…ever brought anyone?”
Angel turned at Shannon’s hesitant question. “He’s never brought one to our home, but I’ve seen him with women before, Shannon. He’s not a monk. He was even married for a short time. That was long before I met him, and he really doesn’t talk about it. At least not to me.”
“Imagine that,” Crystal put in with a smirk. “Someone else who won’t spill their guts to you.”
Angel gave Crystal a teasing glare and turned back to Shannon. “But, if you’re asking if there’s anyone special in Crash’s life at the moment, the answer is no.”
“At least, not until you showed up,” Crystal teased Shannon, grabbing a mushroom from the package Angel set on the counter and popping it into her mouth. Angel smacked her hand and returned to unpacking her bag.
“I don’t really know where you get the idea he likes me. He can’t seem to stand me. We got into it this morning, as a matter of fact. He told me I was nothing but the maid. Said that was the deal I’d signed up for.”
Crystal immediately tried to change the subject, knowing what a bombshell Shannon had just dropped. She opened the fridge, peering inside. “I could really go for a Bloody Mary. Crash got any booze?”
Angel ignored Crystal, stopped what she was doing and looked at Shannon. “Deal? What deal? Did you make some kind of a deal?” She watched Shannon shrug and bite her lip.
“Maybe.”
“Oh-oh,” Crystal warned Shannon and tried to stop her from further pissing Angel off, signaling with a slashing motion across her throat for Shannon to stop talking.