Part 20 (1/2)

”She doesnt need to.” Gage cut me off as he stepped into the room, moving in front of me. He crossed his arms and inclined his head toward the door. ”Now get out.”

Ian turned around then, his b.u.t.ton up s.h.i.+rt un-tucked and his cheeks flushed with a pink blush.

”Were going.” He grabbed cherrys arm, avoiding looking towards Gage or me.

”Oh grow a pair.” She pulled her arm from him.

I almost laughed, but she had no hesitation meeting Gages eyes.

”Its only your d.a.m.n office for a couple more days, so this is your last time kicking me out. Enjoy it.” She taunted him with a challenging smile as she walked past.

”Watch your mouth.” He reached out in a flash, griping her upper arm, pulling her back. ”Ill still be in charge.”

”Oh.” Her smile only widened, and her eyes slid to his hand on her bare skin and then back up to him.

He dropped her, taking a step back, a breath before I almost shoved him away. As it was, poison pulsed through my heart, a base hatred for her and whatever was between them burning my chest.

”You both work for me, that doesnt change next week.”

”I know. Come on Cherry.” Ian pushed her towards the door. ”Why do you always have to say s.h.i.+t?” He was speaking low to her as I moved to let them pa.s.s.

”Wait, Ian. We need to talk.”

I couldnt read his tone. It was direct, but I hope I only imagined the anger running under it.

Either way, everything was cras.h.i.+ng around me. I didnt want him talking to Ian about Cherry, but I didnt want him talking about Anthony either. I needed to talk to him before I choked.

”Oh, h.e.l.l no.” Cherry spun back around, walking into the office. ”Youre going to include me in whatever youre talking to him about. Especially if little miss minute gets to be part of it.”

”Excuse me?” I snapped. ”Who the f.u.c.k do you think you are?”

Her wicked smile was back, red lips stretching.

But Gage stepped in front of me, blocking her from site. ”Show some respect.”

”Fine.” She laughed. ”Calm down, I was only stating facts. Shes been in here for all of a minute, and Ian couldnt run this club on his own. He needs me. So if this talk has to do with the club, then I need to hear it.”

I held my breath as Gage sighed, looking between all of us.

”Shes got a point.” Ian shrugged.

I bit my tongue to keep from speaking, anger shaking my muscles. I needed to see how this would play out.

”Fine. Close the door.” Gage didnt even look at me as he walked to his desk.

22: If I should.

GAGE SLID A PAPER OUT OF THE bottom drawer, laying it flat on the desktop for all to see.

”You know about these two.” He tapped the paper with two pictures on it.

His eyes met mine. ”We know about one more now.” He s.h.i.+fted towards the computer, hand on the mouse. ”Ill find a picture, and then well go to the loading dock.”

The second I saw the photos my heart tripped. It was the agents Gage had described earlier, big nose, mole, dark skin. I didnt want to argue in front of the others. I didnt want to show anything but a uniformed front to them, especially Cherry. But I was close to kicking over that computer, dreading him showing Anthonys photo. Too late, I remembered he never promised anything.

The printer kicked on, and Gage picked up the paper from it.

”Come on.” We all followed him, silent.

He slowed his path, nodding for me to step beside him. He leaned down and spoke low in my ear, ”They have to know who to look out for. Thats all.”

My chest still burned even as his words snuffed out some of the embers of betrayal. But I nodded, accepting his explanation. He was probably right anyways. I wouldnt want Ian set up.

His fingers pressed light and low on my back, keeping me near him. But the touch was tainted with the all too recent memory of him gripping Cherrys arm. We would be talking about that later. I didnt understand why he let her get to him. His reaction was too intense, but in the end, he still let her get away with demanding things. I especially wanted to know why she was h.e.l.l bent on p.i.s.sing me off.

The loading dock was basically a garage, concrete and cold. The drop door was closed, blocking the wind, but the frigid air seeped in.

Gage scanned the room, frown deepening as the lights turned on and illuminated boxes stacked from recent s.h.i.+pments.”You didnt get these unloaded yet? f.u.c.k Ian, youre supposed to have had this done hours ago. Are you prepared to open tonight?”

Ian rolled his shoulders, annoyed. ”Ive got it handled. Itll get done.”

”Yeah,” Cherry walked past us to the far wall. ”You need to let go of the control here. Weve got a new system.” She flashed a grin as she picked up one of the folded chairs leaning against the wall. ”Speaking of which, lets get this meeting over, we still got a lot to do.”

”So do I. Thisll be quick,” Gage agreed.

We each took a chair, but Gage took the one from my hand the moment I lifted it, unfolding it and setting it down in the small circle created.

And I wanted to complain about that gesture. It made me look weak. I could see that reflected in Cherrys face, the way her lips twisted and she silently scoffed. G.o.d, I needed to get it together and stop worrying what that girl thought.

”This is Anthony Fields.” Gage pa.s.sed the paper to Ian sitting across from him. ”Hes part of the agents investigating me and the club. His role isnt clear, but Im thinking hes not very high ranking. Ill find out and let you know for sure.” He nodded to the paper now being pa.s.sed to Cherry. ”Get a good look. If you see him, call me.”

”Theres probably several others too.” Cherry scanned the paper and then pa.s.sed it back to Ian who pa.s.sed it to me. ”But is it you or the club theyre after?”

The picture of Anthony shook in my hand. He was smiling bright, dimples showing. It was his Facebook profile picture.

”Both.”

”Thanks for that. Youve set us up with a hot club.” Cherry leaned back and crossed her arms.

”n.o.bodys forced you to be part of it,” Gage spoke in a low growl. ”I gave you the warning.”

She waved him away. ”Im just talking out loud, you know how I do. Go ahead. Know anything more about dimples.” She nodded to the paper in my hand.

Gage took it from me, folding it several times and putting it in his pocket. ”Just stick with the original plan. Start the new girls we talked about and lay low for a bit, itll blow over.”

”Alessandra wasnt too happy with that plan.” Ian spoke up, hands rubbing the top of his knees as he met Gages eyes.