it was wild and crazy, other times, so intimate she wanted to cry. Always, no matter where they were, no matter if others were around, and frankly, Steele had always seemed more comfortable and relaxed if some of his friends were close by, but whatever the situation, they burned together hot and perfect.
Club life to Breezy, especially the parties, meant drug deals and the members forcing the women to make the deals with their bodies. She’d hated that. Dreaded every party. Until she’d been with Steele. Surrounded by Steele’s friends, she’d felt safe and protected, especially when Steele had her naked and mindless, crying out with orgasm after orgasm. The way he was had been thrilling and made her feel as if he couldn’t get enough of her. Now, she felt it was just his incredibly strong sex drive and had nothing whatsoever to do with her.
His breath came out in a hiss of displeasure. “Stop it, Bree. Stop thinking. Just give it a rest until we can clear things up. Right now, finish your food. The kids are leaving, and we’ll get this operation under way. After, we’ll talk about us.”
She didn’t want to talk about them. There was no “us.” As far as she was concerned, there never had been. That fantasy had been in her mind. She accepted it like she accepted everything else that had happened to her. Steele had been too good to be true. She kept her head down and finished the eggs, although now, nothing tasted good to her. Everything was like cardboard.
Darby got up and began carrying plates and platters from the table. Several members of Torpedo Ink helped. Transporter and Mechanic along with Keys gathered up more dishes. She could hear water running as if they were rinsing them. Lana stood up and gathered more.
“Here, babe, take mine too,” Ink said.
Lana glared at him. “I didn’t know your legs were broken.”
“Muscle strain. At least that’s what Steele said,” Ink informed her.
Instantly the glare disappeared, and her expression changed. “Are you hurt? No one told me you were hurt. I was teasing.”
“So was I,” Ink said.
A roar of laughter went up around the table. Lana shook her head, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “I don’t know why I fall for your crap every single time.” She placed the pile of dishes she had gathered directly in front of him. “For that, you can rinse.”
Ink got to his feet, picked up the dishes and sauntered out, more laughter following him. Lana gathered up the condiments and followed. Several of the others finished stripping the table and washing it down until the wood gleamed.
Darby caught up a book bag and took Emily’s hand. She waited by the kitchen door as Czar crouched down in front of Zoe. “You have a good day at Airiana’s.”
She nodded solemnly.
“What do we always do, Zoe?” he asked.
Breezy’s heart clenched hard. Clearly, this was a ritual. His hands were gentle and loving on her, rubbing her arms and then her hair.
“We always give our best, treat others with respect and we keep our business private. What we see, what we say and what we do stays here.”
“Very good. What else?” Czar smoothed back Zoe’s hair with gentle fingers.
“Anything I don’t like, I tell you, Blythe or one of my uncles or aunts, but our business in this home is private. My uncles’ business is private.”
Czar’s smile held pride and affection. “Exactly. We don’t share with the outside world, but we don’t keep secrets from one another. Anything upsets you, darlin’, day or night, you call us immediately. And if someone tells you it’s a secret, there are no secrets from us. Even if someone tries to scare you by saying they can hurt us, you tell us.”
Zoe hugged him tightly and then turned to her sister. “Darby too, right? I can tell Darby.”
Czar nodded as Darby took Zoe’s hand.
“Hey, what about me?” Kenny said. “You can tell me anything, Zoe. I’ll look out for you.” He ruffled her hair. “The club’s been giving me lessons in …” He broke off abruptly and looked up at Czar.
Blythe moved closer. “Lessons in what, Kenny? I can’t imagine what all your uncles might choose to teach you.” She looked at her husband, not at her son.
Czar gave her a lazy grin, wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in tight to him. “Woman, you have a dirty mind. Not sex, basic self-defense. We’re working with Darby