so I’m guessing you know me because of my father—Lorcan O’Shea.”
Tatum’s back went ramrod straight, and she made a show of sniffing her armpit. “I smell a fuck of a lot better than those sweaty assholes.”
“You’re wearing tactical pants and aviators indoors. Not to mention you’ve got a piece at your back and in your boot. The right one. If you were trying to hide it, you did a shitty job,” I told her honestly.
Tatum clapped her hands together. “I like her! Are we gonna keep her?” she asked while focusing on something over my head. I turned to see Bronze casually leaning against the doorframe with the baby monitor in his hand.
“Glad to see you can hold your own with this bunch. Not that I was worried. Because they promised to behave,” he said loud enough for the entire room to hear and made his way to my side. “You okay?” he murmured against my hair when he took his seat.
“I’m fine,” I replied quietly and placed a kiss on his cheek.
“You didn’t answer my question,” Tatum called out teasingly.
“Batta!” Bronze shouted. “A little help here?”
Batta held his hands up in surrender. “She knows too many ways to kill me slowly and get away with it.”
“Tatum,” Bear said and winked at me as he approached the table. “Did you bring that rifle you wanted me to look at?”
“I did!” she said excitedly and got to her feet. “It’s in Copper’s office,” she continued and walked away from the table. Pausing at the entrance to the hallway, she turned back to the room. “For the record, I’m with the Bureau, and that’s how I knew you. It’s my job to know those kinds of details. Having said that, your family isn’t on my radar. Even if they were, I judge people individually, not based on their family. As long as you’re good to him,” she said and nodded to Bronze, “and our Baby Blue, you’re welcome in my book.” With that, she turned and disappeared down the hall before I had a chance to thank her.
“Are you going to be at the signing in Fairview this weekend?” Josie asked excitedly.
I shifted uncomfortably but smiled and answered. “Yes, I am. I was just going over the details with my assistant on the way here.”
“When do you have to be there?” Bronze asked.
“My flight leaves on Thursday. For some reason, I thought it was next week not this one,” I shrugged and stopped myself from saying that at least I’d be in town for his fight—or after his fight.
“Did you know Avery’s a graphic designer? She’s really amazing and works with a lot of authors.” Josie interrupted and pointed to the woman approaching the table.
Avery laughed nervously and wiggled her fingers when she waved. “Oh, thank you for the recommendation, Josie, but I’m sure S.C. Lorcan has her graphic needs taken care of.”
“Hang on a sec,” I said and propped my elbows on the table. “What kind of graphic design are we talking about here?”
“I can do pretty much anything book-related—teasers, covers, banners, bookmarks, logos, website design, branding, etc. Is there something particular you need?”
“Yes! Book covers. I hate designing covers. Do you have a card or a site where I can check out your work?”
Avery reached into her purse and handed me a business card. “Here’s my website and contact info. If you like what you see, let me know. I’d love to work with you.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it,” I replied and pocketed the card.
“There!” Josie pointed to the woman named River. “She designed that logo for Jackson Security. River, stick your boob out so she can see it.”
“That’s now how I usually greet people for the first time, Josie,” she laughed and walked around the table to show me the logo.
“Wow!” I exclaimed. “That’s impressive. We need to talk soon,” I said excitedly.
“Ladies, if you’ll excuse us,” Bronze said and gently placed his hand on my arm, helping me to my feet.
“No! You can’t steal her away just yet,” Josie whined.
“Sorry, Jose. I want to show her around the rest of the clubhouse before my little alarm clock goes off,” he said and wiggled the baby monitor.
“Fine,” she huffed. “Blame the baby.”
With that, he took my hand and led me down a hallway and back to his room. “I thought you were going to show me around.”
“I lied,” he said and stepped closer, hooking his fingers in my belt loops. “I didn’t think you’d like it if I told them