Page 11 of The Reluctant Siren
It wasn’t a question. Gabe would know every answer. Well,not every one. “Yes, I was an MP for most of the ten years I was in.”
“But you didn’t go into law enforcement?”
“I want to help people. People who want to be helped,” heclarified. “I didn’t find peace in what I did. I do managing my gym. For a fewyears I saw the worst of what people can do, how they behave. In the gym I seepeople trying. Sure, some of them are narcissistic douchebags who only careabout their abs and getting the right shot for their Insta. But some of themare fighting to get their health back. To take back their mobility. I don’t runone of those shiny gyms where everyone looks perfect. I kind of seek out theones who don’t feel comfortable in those kinds of gyms. That’s my purpose, butdon’t think I’ve forgotten how to protect someone. I’ll take care of her.”
Gabe nodded and held out a hand. “Good. I think I might liketo check out your gym. I’m always looking for a new investment. I was blessedwith a ridiculous trust fund. I view it the same way you do that gym. Sometimesthe best investment you can make financially is to give money to people whowill put it to the best use.”
Niall shook it. He wouldn’t mind taking Rich Boy’s money,especially since some of the vets he served could use specialized equipment. “Iwon’t turn you down.”
Gabe held his hand. “And I’d like to meet your friend soon.”
That could be a different story altogether. One he wouldhave to step around but then he’d known this was a dangerous game he wasplaying. “I’ll see when he can come up.”
As Gabe walked off, seemingly happy with the outcome, Niallhad to wonder if this was how it fell apart.
Or if this was a real chance at putting it all together.
Harlow needed him. He could show her how good they could betogether and maybe figure out how to soften her heart toward Jensen.
Or Jensen would kill him.
Or Gabe would kill him.
Or honestly, Harlow would kill them both.
Any way it went, at least he would know.
* * * *
She wanted to know. That was what it came down to.Her curiosity about Niall Griffen was bigger than her fear that he would turnout to be another version of Jensen Wiley.
She needed to know if they could have any shot because shewas so deeply attracted to him.
“Do you want me to go in with you?” Ruby stood beside her,waving as Brianna Dean-Miles walked by. “I know we don’t normally take businessmeetings in corsets and heels but hey, we’re going with the flow.”
If she brought Ruby with her to talk to the gloriously sexyman standing near the main stage wearing leathers that showed off his everymuscle, she could pretend this was all business.
Or she could be brave.
“What if this is one of those situations where the realityis way less than what I have in my head?” This scenario had been playingthrough her brain ever since she made the decision.
Ruby frowned her way, arms crossing under her breasts, whichwere impressively being shown off in her sapphire blue corset. “Are youchanging your mind? Because you told Miranda Falls’s mom we would have aninitial report by next weekend. As far as I can tell that club is only openThursday through Saturday. You have to figure out if our girl is even goingthere, much less which night she plays.”
Which meant they should go in tomorrow and Saturday. “I’mnot changing my mind. I’m worried it’s not going to be as good as I hoped. Whatif I get performance anxiety? What if I’m thinking so much about the case, Ican’t properly respond to him as a top?”
“No.” Ruby’s head shook. “You don’t get to shrink back andnot say what you are actually scared of. That shit might work with your sister,but it’s not flying with me. Say the problem out loud.”
Sometimes she wondered why she loved this woman. She wantedto growl. But Ruby was right. “Fine. What if I kiss him and I feel nothing andI’ve gone through all of this for a big old nothing burger? Also, what if hesays hey sure, Harlow, I’ll watch your back and then I find out he has agirlfriend or he doesn’t like me that way and then all my manipulation willhave been for nothing. I think I should tell him I’m planning on manipulatinghim into seeing if a relationship can work, and then he can make the choice.”
“We’re going to talk about the word manipulation and howit’s supposed to work, but we can do that later. For now, this actually soundsfairly healthy, and I like that for you. It’s a good look.” Ruby gestured toHarlow’s clothes. “This is a good look, too. Okay, you go and plant your freakflag and see if he responds to it and I’ll talk to the Taggarts about a backupplan.”
Harlow stared across the dungeon at that hot hunk of man.One of the newer subs was approaching. Lisa, Lana, something L. She wasprobably twenty years old and looked all shiny and new.
Harlow was twenty-six and definitely didn’t feel shiny. Shehad a big-ass scar on her right thigh and another on her left shoulder.L-whatever had perfectly smooth skin because she’d never taken a bullet orgotten twelve kinds of cut up trying to escape from a house where she justrescued a kidnapped kid.
The younger woman smiled up at Niall. She was in all white,obviously playing up the “I’m such an innocent sub I would never suck your cocklike I have something to prove. I’m so innocent no one ever tied me up andslapped my ass until I cried out and begged you to fuck me.”
“Are you serious right now?” Ruby asked. “She is an infant.I’m surprised they let her in the club. I think she’s still in college. You’regoing to let that sorority sister take your man?”
