Page 39 of Drifter
Drifter
Besides bellowing when we first arrived, Sasha’s father hasn’t said a word to either Sasha or me. I am receiving glaring stares from both Sutton and McGrath, and Simon sees it too. Both Sasha and I opt for plain bottled water. For me, I want to stay sharp, and I’m thinking Sasha feels the same.
If not for Simon, it would be more awkward than it already is. Simon talks about the business deals they solidified today, and this perks Gordon up. Sasha’s right, her father is all about power and money. Sutton strokes his friend’s ego, and this is why they get along. Each feeds the other’s ego.
Sasha spends time with her mother and Elaine, and I stand between Dr. Sutton and where Sasha is sitting to ensure he doesn’t have her in his view. He finds this annoying because he says, “You’re welcome to sit down,” then points to the chair next to Simon.
“Thanks, but I need to stretch my legs for a while. Appreciate the thought, though.” I internally add a fuck you, asshole.
Gordon finally acknowledges my presence. “My daughter’s too good for you.”
I can’t say that I disagree with him. Sasha is beautiful, smart, funny, and sexy as hell, and she is too good for me, but instead, I answer, “That’s for Sasha to decide, and seeing that she wants me with her, I’d say she thinks differently.”
“What do you even do for a living? Or do you work at all? Or is your job the enforcer of the motorcycle gang you’re part of?” Gordon is trying to get a rise out of me. I see his tactic and I’m not going to bite. Sasha lets out a gasp at her father’s rudeness. Simon, however, is another story.
“What the hell, Dad? You’re a fine one to talk. I see some of the clients you’re doing business with and they’re not squeaky clean,” Simon huffs.
“Relax, Simon. It’s fine. I’m a mechanic by trade, and I’m the VP of the Redemption Riders motorcycle club.” I emphasize the word. “We’re a group of men with common goals and run legitimate businesses that have been lucrative and are in the midst of expansion. I’m not ashamed of who I am or what I do,” I tell them.
“He was in the military, as a medic. He’s saved hundreds of lives and takes care of his brothers, and me,” Sasha says. “Axel is my boyfriend, accept him or not, I don’t care, but he means something to me, and I won’t have you speaking badly about him.”
She’s adorable when she gets riled up. And for her to get upset for me makes me want to take her in my arms and kiss her senseless, but this isn’t the time.
“Let it go, sunshine,” I bend to whisper in her ear.
Thankfully, Constanza comes to let us know that dinner is ready, and we all move to the dining room. I place Sasha securely between Simon and me, but Sutton quickly adjusts his seat to sit opposite Sasha. It’s a dick move, and he takes great joy in shoving this in my face with a slithery grin.
I check my watch, willing the time to pass faster. It must be said that the company for dinner might suck, but Constanza is a wonderful cook, and the meal is delicious. The discussion of golf and politics means nothing to me. I’m a sports guy, but never played golf. It’s not that I wouldn’t give it a go, just never had the time or opportunity. As for politics, I have my views but they’re not something I’d share with these men.
The evening is moving at an achingly slow pace. I’ve been in the trenches for days on end, in the dirt with mud caked on me for hours, facing dangers, guerrilla armies, so I’m used to shitty situations and showing great patience and resolve. But this night is affecting me more than any of those times. It’s because I hate that Sasha feels obligated to succumb to an evening with the man who nearly raped her that I feel murderous.
Sasha avoids Dr. Sutton’s gaze, focusing on her chats with Elaine and her mother. However, Elaine is refilling her glass more than she’s ingesting her food. No wonder the woman is so slim. Simon is seated next to his father, which is a good thing because keeping him talking means that Gordon gets to hear his own voice, making him feel important and keeping him happy.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. A text is coming through. I hope like hell it’s Hawk.
“Excuse me,” I say, pulling back my chair and giving Simon a look, clearly telling him to be on guard. I leave the table, but not before kissing Sasha’s cheek. “Be right back, baby.”
I take my phone out of my pocket and glance down at the message from Hawk. Call me!
“Hey, brother. Tell me it’s done,” I utter into the phone.
“It’s done,” he replies. I let out a sigh of relief. “You’ve got maybe half an hour at best before the feds swarm the house. Get out of there. Simon too. I don’t want you in the middle of it.”
“Got it,” I respond. I end our call, then walk back into the dining room, where Sasha is looking at me. We had already discussed an exit plan before leaving her place, and I give her a signal that we need to go. Sasha waits for a moment while Gordon and Edgar are in engaged in conversation, then reaches over to get her brother’s attention, gently placing a hand on his shoulder and directing him to where I’m standing. I tap my watch and jerk my head toward the door.
Simon glances at the two men before giving me a nod. I return to join them, but don’t sit down, wanting to make a quick exit. “I’m sorry, folks, there’s a situation I need to attend to.” I turn to Dawn and Elaine. “Forgive me, but Sasha and I need to be on our way.”
Gordon is the first to jump in. “Simon will take Sasha home.”
I give him a stern look. “I’m afraid not. We came together; we leave together.” No way in hell am I leaving Sasha behind.
“She’s with family, for God’s sake! What do you think we’re going to do her?” Dr. Sutton chimes in.
I lean over the table, and immediately he pulls back. “I don’t trust anyone with Sasha. Especially a man like you who has been ogling her all night like she’s dessert on a menu,” I growl. “She’s mine to love and mine to care for and mine to protect.” Without taking my eyes off the doctor, I step back, pull out Sasha’s chair, and ask Simon to see us out. Once we get to the front door, I say, “We’re running out of time. Get your ass out of here. Tell them you forgot something in your car and get away from here. We’ll wait for you down the street. You’re staying with us tonight.”
Sasha waits until we’re in the car before asking, “Drifter, is it over?”
“Soon, baby. Hold it together. We’re in the homestretch,” I murmur, but my focus is on putting distance between us and her father. We head out to the main road and wait for Simon to show up. The seconds tick by.
