Page 24 of Unveiled Wishes

“That’s not the story I heard, but I won’t push you. I just want you to know that if you want to be with Zook, I’ll support it.” She looked at me like I was crazy. “Seriously, Em. If you want to be with Zook, I’ll give my blessing.” I sat back in the booth.

“I came to visit you, not him.” Her forehead puckered.

“I know, and I am going to talk you into staying for my selfish reasons.” Taking one last sip of my soda, I said, “I am just saying, hear him out if he gets his head out of his ass.”

***

Zook

“You going to sit out on the porch and wait for them?” Op asked me, grabbing a beer even though it was midmorning.

“Nah, I might go to my room.” I had been honest with How when I had said that I would stay out of the way. Emily was here to visit him, not me, and I wouldn’t do anything to ruin that.

“That won’t look suspicious.” The prospect tending the bar flipped the cap on the beer bottle, setting it in front of Op.

“Don’t care.” I shrugged.

“He gave you permission to claim her. Why aren’t you jumping up and down for joy? Fuck, if I was in your situation, I’d whisk her to my room and not come out until I made amends.”

“I am not you, Op. I broke her heart, and I can’t expect her to walk through those doors and take me back right away, no matter what How thinks. What’s the word for what you do when you fucked up?” I asked him, sitting on the stool facing the bar.

“Beg?” he supplied, taking another sip of his beer.

“Nah, that’s not it. Grovel, maybe?” I paused. “Whatever it is, I can’t do it right now. It’s Christmas, and I refuse to make her trip about our past.”

“Pussy.”

I balled my fist and slugged him in the arm, almost knocking Op off the stool. “Don’t call me a pussy.”

“If she walked through the front door right now, what would you say to her?” Op signaled to the prospect for another beer. Sabre had closed all the club businesses to give the brothers a break. There were also no runs available, so we were all sitting around, twiddling our thumbs.

“I’d apologize profusely. Tell her that the life she painted in her last letter sounded too good to be true, and it scared me shitless. I panicked, and like a dumbfuck, ruined it because all I’ve ever known is chaos and destruction.” I knocked my knuckles against the bar.

“Great. You have your chance to do that now.” He tilted his head towards the front door and slapped me on the shoulder. How had just walked in, wheeling a suitcase. Behind him, all I could hear was a pair of heels clicking on the floor. Emily was here. Fuck.

“If you pass out and fall off the stool, I am not saving you. In fact, I might just claim your girl for myself.” Op was watching me for a reaction.

“Touch her, and I’ll fucking kill you with my bare hands, brother or not.”

I slid off my chair, his laughter following me as I made my way over. There weren’t many brothers in the main room, and How was making introductions.

I circled from behind as he was introducing Emily to DeadZone. I couldn’t have explained it even if I tried, but I was three or four steps behind her when she turned in my direction.It was as if she knew I was there, even though I had been as stealthy as possible.

“Tyler.” My name on her lips was the best sound I’d ever heard. I took a minute to glance at her and that was a mistake. She was stunning, confident, and I could tell she wouldn’t take my shit.

“Em. Welcome to the Iron Shield,” I said, rubbing at the back of my neck sheepishly.

“Thank you. It’s nice to be here. Are my feet supposed to stick to the floor?” She smiled at me.

How bent over, Dead was howling, and I stood there staring at her, dumbfounded. I picked up my foot and then placed it back on the ground. It made a squeaky sound underneath my boot. I tried a few more times, and each pass was louder than the one before.

“Fuck, this is going to be fun.” Dead slapped his leg, walking away from us.

Flo walked through the kitchen door with JR and made her way over to us. Placing her hand on my arm, she said, “I am sorry. The brothers have nothing better to be doing, so I didn’t want to scrub the floors until closer to Christmas.”

“It’s actually kind of fun and reminds me of the movie theatre. You must be Flo?” Emily stuck out her hand to shake, but Flo reached out to hug her as best as she could.

“I am, and this is JR.” She wrapped her pinkie in his little hand and gently made him wave to Em.

---