“Yeah?” I lowered myself into the chair across from Zeke. “That’s why Trent informed me I’d made a serious mistake by approving a certain submissive’s membership.”
Zeke shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Matt Steinberg. Name ring a bell?”
He didn’t move, didn’t so much as blink, but I could tell the name alone pissed him off. “Actually, no.”
“Shit, Zeke.” I leaned forward, feeling as shitty now as I had when Trent advised me that I’d allowed Zeke’s ex-boyfriend into the club. “I had no idea who he was.”
Zeke sighed. “It’s not your fault. Not like I’m big on sharing details of my past.”
“Well, if it’s any consolation, I’ve revoked his membership because of the incident on Wednesday.”
He looked slightly relieved by the news, but it was the least I could do. For one, I didn’t tolerate the sort of confrontation that Matt had instigated on Halloween. Although I hadn’t witnessed it myself, I’d heard that Matt had purposely sought Zeke out and made a spectacle of himself in front of everyone on the main floor.
“Trent had a conversation with him before he left,” I informed Zeke. “From what I gathered, it wasn’t good.”
Zeke nodded. “Matt showed up at my house that night.”
“Damn it.” I took these things seriously and I wasn’t sure how I could fix what I’d clearly fucked up. “I’m sorry, man.”
“No need to apologize. It’s been taken care of.”
“How about Brax and Case? They cool?”
Zeke’s answer came in the form of a shrug. I could see the concern in his dark eyes. I hadn’t seen any of them since the night in question, although I’d worked at the club last night, expecting them to show.
When Zeke still didn’t answer, I got worried. I knew the man all too well and he had a penchant for imploding.
I leaned back in my chair, prepared to dig in deep. “Don’t tell me you booted them because of Matt.”
“Not because of Matt, no.”
Oh, hell. I sighed, rolled my eyes. “Where are they now?”
“Who knows.”
“Have you talked to them?”
Zeke sat up, his mask of indifference falling into place. He was shutting me out.
“Nothing to talk about. They’ve run their course. I’m ready to move on. I warned them already so it’s not a surprise.”
Wow. There actually is someone more in denial than you. How about that?
I barked a laugh, ensuring Zeke heard I wasn’t amused by him or the stupid voice. “You honestly think I’m buying this bullshit?”
Indifference morphed into anger, his eyes narrowing. “I don’t give a shit what you’re buying, Edge.”
Before I could launch into a tirade, a knock sounded at the door. I glanced over, saw Jamie standing there. I hadn’t seen her since Wednesday morning when she woke up in my bed, cuddled between me and Cav. That had been a long night, which had continued into a long rest of the week for me. I didn’t realize until right that moment that I had missed her so fucking much.
“I don’t mean to interrupt,” she said softly, her eyes coming to rest on me.
God, she looked good. She was wearing a floor-length purple skirt and a short, white, long-sleeve blouse. She was so damn pretty and far too innocent for the likes of me. Still, I wanted to pull her into my arms and hold her, inhale her sweet scent, and never let her go.
Go ahead. See if we can piss her brother off more.
But I knew I couldn’t do that. Certainly not here. So, I pushed to my feet, glanced at Zeke briefly, then turned my attention to her. “He’s all yours, Jamie. Maybe you can talk some sense into him.”
As I passed by her, I allowed my fingers to brush her arm, needing the contact. We’d been talking on the phone and texting the past couple of days, but I realized seeing her had been what I needed. Although she was a temptation I should’ve avoided for my own sanity, I realized it no longer mattered.
“Come find me when you’re finished with him,” I told her, keeping my voice low.
“Bullshit!” Zeke shot to his feet. “She’s not gonna come find you, Edge.”
Anger slammed into me as I pinned Zeke with a glare. What the fuck?
We both stood there, staring one another down like two dogs ready to tear each other’s throats out, the winner marking their territory. I could see Zeke’s anger, knew deep down it wasn’t directed at me, but somehow, I was going to bear the brunt of it.
Well, fuck that. “I wasn’t asking your permission, Zeke.”
“Stop. Please,” Jamie pleaded, placing her hand on my arm. “I’ll come find you when I’m done.”
Realizing Zeke was dangerously close to exploding, I nodded at Jamie, then glared at Zeke one more time for good measure before slipping into the hall and heading back to my office.
Good news. He doesn’t think you’re a pussy anymore.
