“Right!” She looks over at me. “Sometimes I need a reminder that the only reason you’re fucking me is to piss off Matt!”
My hands tighten on the steering wheel. “Blake …”
“So, thanks for that, Ryat,” she adds with bite.
“Blake!” I snap in warning.
She huffs, crossing her arms over her chest and sitting back in her seat.
I turn up “If You Want Love” by NF to drown out my thoughts and anything else she has to say.
_______________
WE’RE WALKING INTO the house of Lords when we run into Sarah and Gunner. She eyes me warily, and I wonder if any rumors are being spread in the house while I’m away regarding Matt and me.
“Where have you two been?” Sarah asks, looking over at Blakely. “You guys have been MIA all weekend.”
“We’ve been staying at the apartment,” she answers her.
“We were just there yesterday.” Sarah looks at Gunner. “I was actually worried. Your room was destroyed. Stuff kicked over. Looked like there was a struggle of some sort.”
Blake’s cheeks flush at the same time Matt walks around the corner. I don’t miss the black eye he has from my knee connecting with his face the last time I saw him. “We went out to my cabin for the weekend,” I answer Sarah’s previous question, not taking my eyes off his until he disappears down another hallway before Blake can even see him.
“We left in a hurry,” Blake jokes.
“Well, I’m glad you guys are back.” Sarah smiles at her.
“Actually, we’re just grabbing a few things, then going back to the apartment,” I inform them.
“Oh.” Her face falls. “I have been texting and calling you all weekend, and you never answered,” she tells her.
Blake frowns, and I look at Gunner. He pretends like he’s not listening and looks away to the grand staircase.
“Hmm,” Blake adds. “I didn’t have anything on my phone from you. Maybe I didn’t have any reception. We were out pretty far.”
I grab Blake’s hand, ending this conversation and pulling her away and down the hall to my room.
After I close the door, I turn to her. “I have to attend a meeting,” I tell her.
She just stares at me, her pretty blue eyes still heated from earlier. She hasn’t spoken directly to me since I snapped at her on the way here.
“Stay in here. I’ll come back when I’m done.” With that, I turn and exit the room to see Gunner and Sarah in the hallway.
“Sarah is going to hang out with Blakely while we’re occupied,” he tells me.
I nod and open my bedroom door for her. Sarah doesn’t even look at me as she enters, and I yank it shut harder than I mean to.
Gunner laughs. “Trouble in paradise already?”
“Let’s get this over with.” I ignore him and shoulder past him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
RYAT
STEPPING OFF THE elevator, Gunner and I step into the basement. The bunker was added after the hotel was given to the Lords. It’s an armory down here. More guns, ammo, and weapons we could ever need. It’s also where we hold all our important meetings.
The walls are matte black with racks of guns hanging on the far wall. The right wall has knives of various sizes and colors.
There’s a black table in the center of the room. Enough seats to fit fifty people. I notice that only the seniors are present. I plop down next to Prickett, ignoring Matt, who sits across from me. Gunner takes the seat to my right.
Lincoln enters the room and doesn’t waste any time. Clapping his hands, he gets started. “I’m guessing everyone has seen the news by now and is aware of what’s happened.”
“Yes,” everyone says in unison.
He takes the chair at the head of the table. “I need two volunteers for an assignment. I can’t give you any other details other than the job might take a day, might take three weeks. That all depends on how long it takes you to get it done.”
I’m about to volunteer when I hear Matt speak. “Ryat and I will handle it.”
Gunner’s wide eyes shoot to mine while Prickett runs a hand down his face.
“Ryat?” Lincoln looks at me, relaxing back in his chair, waiting for confirmation.
I can’t say no. If I do, it’ll prove to everyone in here I have a problem with Matt. “Sounds good, sir,” I say and then clench my hand in my lap. Motherfucker!
“Perfect. You all are dismissed.” Lincoln stands and exits in a hurry. I’m sure to go get updated on whatever I’m about to be doing.