Page 84 of Stag

I didn’t bother to look away from Stag. The only words that mattered were the ones that’d fall from his lips. He nodded in response to something his President must have said.

“I was hoping you’d say that. I know he probably doesn’t want to be in their pocket any more than anyone, but it’d be easiest to keep their women safe there, right?”

I got up to check the kettle, and re-boiled it while I made tea for us. I took mugs of tea over to the table, and returned for sugar and milk, knowing I’d miss the discussion, but it didn’t matter. Whatever needed to be done, I trusted that Stag’s President and VP would have his back.

It was only when I was stirring my own tea that I realised Stag wanted my attention, tapping my hand gently until I put my focus back on him.

“Caroline wants to meet up with you again, she liked you. And the Pres has an invitation for you.” He gestured to Micro, so I turned to look his way next.

“We’re having a decorating party at the clubhouse. Stag’s just wimped out because he’s the whipping boy for some bad guys, but do you want to join in? Painting and stuff? Could be fun. We could put you and Caroline together, she’s really sweet, unlike this prick.” He jerked his thumb at Harley, who just laughed and flipped him off.

“Caroline feels bad about the last time we all met, we all do. We weren’t dissing Stag, but you’re right, we don’t try hard enough to listen to him, but we will. So… while this guy’s off stewing in a car for hours on end with his new bestie, what say you come and help us get the clubhouse shipshape? We’ve got a few days left, and then the furniture goes in. All hands on deck is pretty much the only way we’ll be ready.”

Wow, they were inviting me into their home, into something that was for members and old ladies only. Did I want to be Stag’s old lady? Would he ever ask me, dammit?

“What about Marissa?” I asked, because she was still an issue for us, especially with the vandalization of Stag’s motorbike, which had led to him riding a loaner from Harley.

“Well, I think she’d probably pee on the walls instead of painting them, so no.”

I knew he wanted me to smile, so I did, but it was a little forced. That was the impression they all had of her. The twin sister I loved with all my heart, but had become afraid of. Was that unfair? If she was having some kind of mental break, she deserved my help, not banishment.

“I meant, what if she brings more trouble to the club?”

Micro shook his head slowly. “Everything is about you, Claudia. I don’t care where she goes, but if she’s harassing you, that’s what’ll get her arrested. That’s the law. She harassed us to get to you, so she was harassing you through us. I want her to get the help she needs, but I won’t risk my club or my brothers in the process. I hope you can understand that. You’re a priority now for us, because of Stag, but she’s not. It’s harsh, but it’s what it is.”

His words echoed back at me for the rest of the evening, after they left, and even when I tried to sleep that night. It all came back to one thing, my twin sister. She was the only threat to our happiness right now, the only threat to me being able to settle happily with Stag. She’d always cause trouble for us unless I put a stop to things once and for all. Getting away from the club would have to be my priority as soon as Stag was at work with his new bosses.

Chapter Thirty-Four

If my surveillance buddy was disappointed to be on duty with me again, he didn’t show it. In fact, he greeted me with a friendly handshake, and a pat on the back, and we headed to the location we were at before, again in his classy cage.

“So we’re just gonna watch that door again?”

Danno chuckled, parking up again. He’d waved as some other guy drove past in another big overcompensation cage, so I figured that’s the guy we were tagging out of this bullshit.

“I forgot how much fun you are on these jobs.”

Fun. Ha. I wanted fun, but instead I was stuck here. The only bonus was that I knew Claudia was already on her way to the clubhouse with Caroline to spend the day painting and hopefully bonding with her. It’d been a bit awkward at first, but they seemed fine when they left.

“I know I’m not supposed to know things, but what are we looking for here exactly? Why does it take two of us?”

Danno was fiddling with that weird curved blade again, and he caught me eyeing it, offering it to me to hold and check out. It was lightweight, sharp as fuck, and the oddest knife I’d ever held.

“It’s a Karambit, really versatile, easy to conceal, deadly to pretty much anyone I want to use it on.”

Yikes. I handed it back to him and watched him fiddle with it again.

“We’re watching for comings and goings, and yes, it needs two of us. What if I’m alone and have to pee?”

“I thought that’s why you sit and fondle one bottle of water all day, and piss in the bottle later.”

“I taught you well. So… how’s that lady of yours? You’re keeping her satisfied, I hope?”

The fucker had a smug grin on his face when I turned to glare at him. He must have been talking to those assholes he works for, but how is my sex life the kinda shit they talk about?

“Are you all this fucking intrusive?”

He shrugged, tucking the knife away again.