Page 28 of Property of Shotgun
“Yes.”
“Five in the morning, and she’s still laying down the law.” He shakes his head, a small smirk playing on tired face. “What kind of rules, Jade?”
I don’t know why I even said that since I can’t think of a single rule that would need to be enforced. Pulling my lower lip between my teeth, I try to conjure up at least one.
“I know you’re the VP now, and things come up, but you leave the club business at the door. This is my boys’ home, it’s their sanctuary. There needs to be separation. If you come home like you did tonight, there is a fire pit in the yard, and a slop sink in the basement. Get rid of any evidence before step foot inside the house.”
“What else?”
“Um… well, you’re here to help, not overrule. You can’t go against me when it comes to the boys. I have final say in all the decisions.”
“Not looking to overstep.”
“I know that, but the boys might try to take advantage of the situation, and if that happens, I need you to be on my side.”
“Always.”
“Dinner.”
His brows pinch together. “What about it?”
“Do you eat?” I’m aware that question sounds ridiculous, but every night before we go to the hospital, I make sure the boys are fed, and he has never once sat down and eaten a meal with us.
His lips quirk again, and something sinister flashes in his eyes.
“Don’t mock me, Shotgun.”
“Oh, trust me, I’m not mocking you.” He licks his lips. “I eat, Jade.”
“Ok, well, you’re going to start eating dinner with us. It’s weird when you just stand by the door while we’re sitting at the table. I’m not a great cook, but no one goes hungry around here.”
“Anything else?”
Just one thing.
“Noneighborhoodgirls in the house. I don’t need to explain to Legend why there’s a revolving door of women coming in and out of your place. You need to get laid, do it at the clubhouse.”
“Kind of you to worry about my cock, but I assure you, I don’t shit where I eat.”
My cheeks flush at his crassness. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him speak like that to me before. “Then we’re good.” I slide off the stool, ignoring the dull ache where my incision is healing. “I’ll go put your things in the dryer and get you a blanket.”
“Jade?”
“Yeah?”
“It’s only temporary.”
My brows furrow at the reminder. “I know. I’m the one who said it first.”
“Right.”
NINE
SHOTGUN
It was only meantto be six weeks, but the day after Jade got clearance to drive again, we got word that Irene had passed in her sleep. Six weeks then became six months, which turned into one year, and now here I am, fourteen months later, still living in the side apartment of Jade’s house. I pull my boots on, and open the door, making way to the back of the house.
In the beginning of our arrangement, I would ring the bell every morning until she gave me a key. But when winter rolled around, it became easier to go through the yard—less snow.
