Smoke and Steel (Wild West MC #2)(54)

“Sounds like Eleanor,” I muttered, dunking another fry.

“What’s her story?” Core asked.

I dropped the fry in my mouth, chewed and shrugged.

Then I answered, “I don’t know her very well. It won’t surprise you she didn’t come to a lot of family gatherings, then, after I got older and could decide where I wanted to be, I didn’t either. But stories of her antics are a favorite pastime for that side. Her dad is the baby of the family. He had three kids. She was the middle. What he knew of how to raise kids, he did with his own and spoiled the baby. Apple of his eye. Golden girl. Eleanor acted out to get attention, at least that’s what Mom says. When this attention wasn’t enough attention, she went off the rails, and please do not feel me guilty by association, I hope you know my immediate family is biker friendly.”

His eyes twinkled.

I liked it.

He confirmed verbally too.

“I know that, sweetheart.”

I nodded. “But my dad’s family, they’re not. When she started hanging with that crowd, it didn’t go well for her. I don’t know if she’s officially disowned, but it doesn’t surprise me Uncle David wasn’t super welcoming. The reason she’s in Phoenix at all is because she wasn’t wanted here, and no one really hid it.”

“Then that tracks with info she’s unsuccessfully dealing with a chip on her shoulder.”

“Yes.”

We kept eating, and when Core reached for his Frosty, I said, “So Eleanor’s in Arizona, and the Greeks are going to be dealt with, now what are we going to do for excitement?”

The twinkle was awesome.

But the look in his eyes right then was far superior.

“I got a few ideas.”

“I sense I’ll like them.”

“I know you will.”

“Cocky.”

“Baby, you had an out-of-body experience when you came. It was so huge, your out-of-body body came too.”

I started laughing.

And not only because he was kind of right.

Because he was funny.

And because I had a Baconator and a Frosty on standby, and I had them because I wanted them, and Core made sure I got them.

Also because he was beautiful to look at across the booth in Wendy’s from me.

But mostly because this was the best date I’d ever had.

And I knew that in a way I’d never forget it.





14





THE END OF A FRIEND





Hellen





I was woken by a squeeze on the hip and the prickle of whiskers accompanied by the soft swipe of lips on my jaw.

I opened my eyes and saw it was still dark. We were fast approaching autumn, but it was still summer, days were long and morning sun came early.

Therefore, sleepy and surprised, I looked through the shadows to see a fully-dressed Core bending over me.

“I gotta get to my pup, baby. He’s probably been crossing his legs for the last few hours and that’s not cool.”

My God, I’d forgotten about Nanook.

He was right, that wasn’t cool.

He pressed his lips hard against mine and pulled away.

“Got plans tonight?” he asked.

He wanted to see me again.

Right away.

I almost said, no, I did not have plans, because I wanted to see him too.

Then I remembered cocktails with the girls.

“Yeah. I’m having drinks with my friends.”

“’Kay. Call me. I want you Saturday night.”

That was so happening.

I smiled at him.

He touched his mouth to my smile and then he walked away.





I sat at my desk in my office.

I’d selected four candidates to interview, and as such, next week would be busier than normal because of those appointments. This meant, to keep on top of things, I had to work this weekend.

Not unusual.

Along with that, the fact I’d decided to take this next step had me nervous, so I felt the need to score a few more clients. With an additional staff member, I’d have time to see to them, but mostly I wanted more money flowing in to cover the additional going out.

This was because I didn’t want to be one of those employers who fucked over their employees.

Whoever I chose, I wanted her to have an excellent experience working with me. I wanted to pay a salary that wasn’t just competitive, it told her I valued her as a human and wanted her to be able to afford to live a decent life. I wanted to contribute to her 401K. I wanted her to have proper time off so she could live a full life and refresh, which in turn I hoped would keep her sharp and loyal. And I wanted her to think outside of being a PA and pay for courses she could take should she wish to expand her knowledge and skills base.

I could do this now by the skin of my teeth.

But I wasn’t a fan of living by the skin of my teeth, so I needed to expand.

For the most part, I got clients through word of mouth.

But I had my own social media accounts for my business, and part of my contract with my clients included the fact I could use my work for them to score some more.

I needed to get on that.

Before I did, I had to do something else.

I picked up my phone and texted Core.