Page 19 of Hammer’s Fall

Camila’s body trembled at the thought of someone watching them, and not with excitement. The idea of being exposed like that, to have something so intimate and private watched by anyone, much less people she was only getting to know, made her knees weak.

“Get the fuck out of here,” Hammer growled. His arm around her waist tightened as he stood, taking her with him. Camila couldn’t help the squeak of surprise that escaped her as he picked her up and carried her toward the door. With her face still buried in his shoulder she couldn’t see what he was doing, but then she heard a door close.

“It’s all right cariño, It’s just us now.” He eased his hold around her waist and let her slide down until her feet hit the floor. She couldn’t help but notice the hardness against her belly as she moved along his body. It made heat pool low in her belly. “I’m sorry. Goliath is an ass.”

“It’s okay.” She gave him the best smile she could manage, though she knew it wasn’t as bright as she might want, but it was something. He couldn’t help that Goliath was a bit ... off.

“Hungry? Let’s go get a bite to eat.” He used her shoulders to turn her to face the door then reached around and opened it.

“Are we in trouble? Is that why Bulldog wants to see us?”

“Unlikely, unless you’ve done something I don’t know about or lied to him.” ‘

“Then why in his office?”

“Probably because after dinner the common room will be a madhouse. It’s Saturday night, things will get a little wild around here. Goliath isn’t the only one who isn’t shy—he’s just the only one who pushes the limits outside of parties.”

“Does that happen a lot?”

“What?”

“The parties, all of it.”

He dropped a hand on the small of her back and guided her out to the front room.

“Usually at least once a week, sometimes twice. And holidays, and any time we have visitors. Things get a little crazy when we have visitors.”

“And how often is that?”

“A few times a year,” he said. When they reached the common room, he stepped beside her and draped an arm across her shoulders. “But don’t worry. We’ll warn you so you can be prepared, at least if we can. Once in a while an allied club will stop by without much notice. Not much we can do about that, but we try to be good hosts. Even if that happens, I’ll make sure you’re safe. I won’t let anyone hurt you, cariño.”

“Thank you.” She let him guide her to the head of the line. He stepped in front of someone then motioned for her to go in front of him. “I don’t mind going to the end of the line.”

“I’m an officer, cariño. Officers go to the head of the line. We only wait for everyone who cooked to get theirs first. Then we get to join in whenever we arrive.”

She frowned but picked up a plate and started through the line. Questions would only hold up the line for those behind them. When they’d both filled their plates, he led them to a booth along one wall where Winter and Bishop sat. Camila set her plate down and slid into the booth to sit next to the wall and leave room for Hammer.

“What you want to drink, cariño?” Hammer said, setting his plate down but not sitting.

“Water or Jamaica tea if you have it.”

“I don’t think we do, but I’ll look.” He turned and headed for the bar.

“What’s Jamaica tea?” Winter asked.

“Tea made from a flower. Give me a second and I’ll remember what it’s called in English. But what is an officer? The only meaning I know is police and that can’t be right.”

“No, not police,” Winter said. “Officers are brothers in higher positions who run the club.” Winter tilted her head as if she wasn’t satisfied with that explanation but was looking for a better way to explain it.

“President, VP, Treasurer, Sergeant at Arms, those are officers,” Bishop put in. “It’s not all of them but that’s what we mean when we say officers. Does that make sense?”

Camila nodded. “Yes, thank you.” She turned back to Winter. “Hibiscus. Jamaica tea is made from Hibiscus flowers.”

“No tea, so I got you water.” Hammer set two glasses down then slid in beside her. “Who’s on groceries this week, do you know?”

Bishop shook his head.

“Frank, I think,” Winter put in.