Page 41 of Smoke

“I never took you for someone who played games, Smoke.”

“Funny, because I never took you to be a liar,” he replies with a calm voice. His expression screams ‘couldn’t give a shit’ vibes as he sits high and mighty in the high-backed leather chair at the head of the long, wooden table. The President of the Young Outlaws on his mighty throne.

“And exactly what is it I’ve lied about?”

“You fucked Paddy Dunne, yet you made out that you hadn’t.” Once again, his voice has a level of calmness, still the ticking muscle in his jaw tells me otherwise.

“What’s the matter Smoke, worried you were sloppy seconds?” I taunt him. The sound of me slapping my hands on the tabletop rings out in the otherwise quiet room. I lean further towards him with a snarl on my face. “For your information, I didn’t lie to you, Smoke. Your precious VP jumped to that conclusion. The most Paddy Dunne got was a kiss, that he instigated and the chance to see me in my underwear, although by the time I’d come out of the bathroom, he was out of it.” I push back into a standing position and cock a hip. “One thing I’m sure of…” I glare at him before turning to take my leave. But if he thinks I’m going to go before I get the chance to call him out on his disgusting behalf, he’s deluded. “… if I had let him fuck me, I’m damn sure he wouldn’t have disrespected me the way you did.”

I swing away from him, hurrying to the door where I find Stone blocking the way. The sound of chair legs scraping against the wood floor instantly puts me on edge, wondering if I’m going to be barred from leaving. I half expect to hear the sound of Smokes’ boots as he comes after me, but I don’t. A blade of disappointmentstabs me in the chest. Then again, why would I be surprised when his previous actions have already proven that he’s an emotionless, insensitive ape?

Stone is still blocking the doorway, and when I push against him with all my strength, I cry out with frustration when he doesn’t move.

“Get her off the fucking premises, Stone,” Smoke’s voice bellows from behind me, causing the blade piercing my heart to go in even deeper. “Now, before I do something that I might regret.”

Stone does as he’s told and steps to the side.

I should just go, yet I can’t resist getting in the last word. “Again.”

Stone

Making sure that Tenley leaves club grounds is easy. I walk a few paces behind her as she stomps towards the gatehouse in her heels, dressed like she’s just left a high-powered business meeting. Not a verbal shootout with my president.

Halfway between the clubhouse and the gates, she stops and turns to face me. There are no tears on her face, but her eyes seep with sadness, anger, and rejection.

What the fuck has gone on between these two?

“How’s Oriana?” she asks. Not what I expected, but…

“She’s good. Why would you care?” I’m not sure where this is going. As far as I’m aware, the two stepsisters hold a mutual hatred for each other.

“Just wondering,” she sighs. “Do you love her?”

“What?” I gasp, again taken by surprise at her bold question.

“Do. You. Love. Her?” she says with all seriousness. “It’s easy. A simple yes or no answer will suffice.”

It’s at this moment that I catch sight of the similarity between her and Oriana. They both are confident in some ways, but mask a level of vulnerability that they have. I’ve seen Oriana slip several times; however, I get the feeling that when it comes to Tenley, she tries to keep it securely in place. Not this time. I decide to answer her personal question.

“Yes, I love her very much.”

“Good.” She does a succession of quick nods, her gaze sweeping off to somewhere on the horizon. I can see Edge making his way towards us, but I quickly shake my head. Taking my lead, he holds back.

“Tenley,” I say softly, bringing her focus back to me. “You okay?”

“Sure,” she says unconvincingly. “Do one thing for me, will you?” Before I get chance to agree to her request she continues. “Well, more than one, as it happens. Don’t hurt her. Keep her safe. Love her with everything that you have.”

“Where is all this coming from, Tenley? Why now?” At this moment, I see something in her I’ve not seen before. A softness in her demeanor as she talks of Oriana that I’m not sure Oriana is even aware of.

“Despite what she might think, what’s gone on in the past, I love her too and I want nothing more than for her to be happy.”

With that, she turns and makes her way to where Edge has been waiting to escort her off the premises.

“Come on then, big boy,” she acknowledges him in her usual sassy way. “Get those gates open and let me get the fuck out of here.”

Chapter

Twenty-Six

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