Page 33 of Deadly North

Kat leads Melissa, me, and Reed downstairs. We find Christy sitting on the couch, TV remote in her hand. Christy is a gorgeous natural blond with wavy hair that practically any woman would die to have. She has it pulled up in a high ponytail today, which accentuates her long, graceful neck. Her face is free of makeup, which doesn’t detract at all from her natural beauty. “Hi, I’m Christy,” she calls, waving to us.

“Chris, you remember Gigi,” Kat says. “This is Melissa.” She points to Little Big Mama. “And this is Reed. He’s, um, kind of here as a chauffeur.” Kat stumbles over the word as she tries to explain his presence without revealing too much.

But if Christy is confused by his presence, she doesn’t show it. “I’m getting a playlist going,” she drawls in a melodious southern accent, waving toward the TV. “Go check out the drinks situation. I can make y’all something if you don’t want beer or wine.”

“Wow, I’m not the bartender tonight. What a concept,” Melissa jokes.

A few seconds later, music starts to flow through the speakers. Christy gets up, walks over to Reed and holds up her margarita glass. “You want one?”

Reed snorts. “I don’t drink that girl shit. Besides, my job is guarding Gigi and the rest of ya. Can’t do that if I ain’t sober.” He turns to me and lifts his chin toward the stairs. “I’ll be upstairs if you need me.”

Watching Reed stomp up the stairs, Christy’s mouth twists into a perplexed frown. “What’s with Mister Chuckles?”

Kat lifts a shoulder. “He’s pissed off that he has to be here tonight guarding us, instead of off on a run with the rest of the club. He’s missing all the action.”

“Guarding you?” Christy asks, moving behind the wet bar. “From what?”

I jump in. “Oh, nothing. Just a precaution.”

Kat agrees. “Yeah, you know, the men are always trying to make sure we’re safe. It’s just how they are.”

“So, like, paranoid?”

“No, not exactly. Just careful. You know Connor. He’s not exactly all that open with people he doesn’t know. I guess they are all kind of like that, but to a lesser extent. Guarded. On alert. They don’t really let their guard down with people unless they know them well.”

“Except for Mack,” Melissa says. “He’s always easygoing. Good for a laugh, too.”

Christy brightens. “Is that Con’s hot buddy, the one with the kind of shaggy dirty blond hair?”

“That’s the one,” Melissa replies.

“God, he’s so fine…” Christy groans. “Men like that shouldn’t be allowed to exist. Is he taken? If he’s as great as Connor is, maybe I should try flirting with him.”

My gut twists at Christy’s words. I want to jump up from my chair and scream,He’s mine!But not only is Mack definitelynotmine, but nobody in this room knows about us. And I have to keep it that way. So I bite my lip, sit on my hands, and say nothing.

Christy comes over and hands Mel and me glasses, then sits down. “I don’t think Mack’s taken,” Melissa says. “I’ve never really seen him with any women around the clubhouse. He’ll go with a club bunny sometimes, but he’s never brought anyone around.”

Kat leans back against the cushions. “Christy, do I really need to remind you that you are not only taken, but engaged? What would Arjun say if he heard you?”

“Well, he ain’t here, is he?” Christy tosses back. “But yeah, I guess you’re right. I shouldn’t be sayin’ stuff like that, even as a joke.”

“Mel, you get along with Mack pretty well,” Kat says to Little Big Mama. “Have you ever thought about him, you know… that way?”

I freeze. Melissa is beautiful and sassy and funny. If she set her sights on Mack, I have no doubt that she could get his attention.

But to my relief, Mel shakes her head. “I don’t shit where I live. Literally. Bartending for the club is the best job I’ve ever had. Plus I get to live there rent-free. No way am I gonna fuck with any bikers and mess that up.”

“So much for setting up the Royal Bastards’ most eligible bachelor,” Kat says on a sigh.

“What about Gigi?” Christy suggests. “You’re single, right?”

“Well, Gigi hates Mack with a passion, so there’s that.”

“I don’thatehim,” I protest, coloring.

“Really? Well, that’s news to me.” Kat turns to Christy. “Gigi and Mack can hardly be in the same room with each other without fur flying.”

“Hate ain’t the opposite of love, though,” Melissa says slowly. “Indifference is.”

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