going to mince words.
“Have you hired a private investigator?” Corey asked.
She turned to answer him, but Dennis snorted. “Where the hell are we supposed to get the money for that? Our deal with the Kings isn’t complete, and Martin left us with shit to work with financially. If there was anything, he probably took it with him.”
Brett nearly came out of her seat at the accusation, but Ethan beat her to the punch. He slammed his palm on the table and looked at Dennis with a warning in his expression. “We’re not here to point fingers at a man who can’t defend himself, and no one asked you anything. I believe my President is having a conversation with yours.”
Had he really just acknowledged her as the club president? The others didn’t seem to balk at it, though Dennis looked sullen and combative as he shrank back into the seat. She glanced up at Ethan with a new appreciation, and he gave her a quick wink that had her a little flustered. Yes, there was definitely something about this man she couldn’t quite place that knocked her off balance.
3
Ethan knew he shouldn’t have opened his mouth. It wasn’t his place to get speak. But he didn’t like the way Dennis disrespected Brett. She was nothing like he’d expected. She was cool and calm, well spoken.
And she was drop dead gorgeous.
Tying that long, dirty blond hair into a ponytail did nothing to hide the luxury of it, and it didn’t harden the curves of her face. Or her body. Those hips couldn’t have hidden under loose jeans, and the ones she wore fit like a second skin. And she had a rack that went on for days above a slender waist.
He’d had trouble keeping salacious thoughts at bay since he’d first laid eyes on her, but this was business. And he had to give it to her, she had balls. Dennis didn’t like her, and obviously didn’t want her in charge, but she had enough determination to hold on for the moment. That spoke volumes, and it only made him like her more.
But the look on Corey’s face reminded him he had a place in the club, and speaking out of turn wasn’t the best choice. Still, he’d managed to shut Dennis up for now, and that meant the conversation could continue.
Rafe inhaled deeply and leaned back into his chair. “We can help with the resources for an investigation. We’ve got a couple of PIs we trust. But you have to be up front and honest with everything you know. And full disclosure, our guy will probably look into everyone in your club, make sure there’s nothing there causing any friction that would make someone a suspect.”
Brett nodded. “Understood. We’ll cooperate.”
Dennis scoffed, and Dylan clenched his fists, taking the offensive this time. “Look, jackass, if you don’t have anything to hide here, you’ve got nothing to be upset about.”
Dennis shook his head. “Just seems like we’re getting the raw end of the deal here. You’re using us as mules, digging around looking for dirt.”
“Maybe if your club hadn’t taken up with Ravens and tried to dick us around, we’d be a little more trusting,” Corey told him. Then, he turned to Brett, dismissing Dennis entirely. “Look, you’ve got nothing to do with all of that, and we’re going to trust you, but all of your boys were there. They were a part of all of it, and it means we have to be safe.”
Again, Brett nodded. “I can appreciate that. In fact, I have a reasonable offer for you.” She glanced at Ethan quickly, and he held his breath, wondering what she was thinking. His thoughts were going full steam ahead in only one direction, wondering how she’d look at him if she was lying under him in the throes of passion. He looked away, trying to swallow the idea and tame the physical reaction that had him shifting in his seat as she said, “Because of the history between the clubs, I’d be perfectly willing to have a few of your guys staying with us, temporarily, while we work all of this out. It would give him the insight into everything that goes on with us and a way to instill a bit more trust in our club until everything is resolved.”
It was a huge show of faith on her part, and Ethan’s respect for her doubled. Glancing around the table, he saw shock registered on everyone’s face, with Dennis looking