Gunnar A Motorcycle Club Romance - Nina Levine Page 0,37
conversation. I think I prefer it when he talks more, at least then I know what his thoughts are. When he’s like this, I have no idea, and that stresses me out. Wine is my coping mechanism.
“Chelsea,” Dad’s assistant Nicola says, “your father asked me to have you go see him. He has something to discuss with you.”
I nod. “Thanks, Nicola.”
I drain my glass before doing as she said. I haven’t spoken to my father all week. It’s the one high point of being married to Joe; my father tends to leave me alone these days, but that’s only because he has Joe doing his dirty work instead.
Joe’s still with Dad and he watches my approach, reaching for me when I join them. Pressing a kiss to my lips, he says, “Remember we’re in public tonight.”
I smile adoringly up at him. “How could I forget?”
“Chelsea,” Dad cuts in. “I want you and Joe up on the stage with your mother and me while I make my speech tonight. My approval ratings have taken a fall this week with the new policies I announced. We need to step up our efforts and maintain our presence as a strong family.”
I nod. “Sure.” I expected nothing less, so I’m not sure why he’s bothering to tell me this.
“Don’t be so damn casual about this,” Dad snaps, not even bothering to hide his annoyance.
“Careful, Dad, people are watching.”
His lips flatten and he looks at Joe. “I’ll leave you to deal with her.”
He leaves us without another word to me.
“Why do you insist on pissing him off?” Joe asks, looking as frustrated as he sounds.
“Why does he insist on being an asshole to me?”
“What did he say or do just then that was rude?”
“Honestly, Joe, this is between me and my father. You don’t need to involve yourself in it.”
“Except I do. Marrying you put me right in the fucking middle of you two, and here I am trying to deal with you.”
“Welcome to the fucking family. Aren’t you glad you agreed to this marriage?”
His nostrils flare as he works his jaw. I’m saved from his wrath when his assistant interrupts us and tells Joe he’s needed across the room.
He bends his face to mine before he leaves and warns, “Don’t overdo the wine. And I asked you to wear your hair out tonight. Go and fix it.”
I watch the women at the table near us track his ass as he walks past them. I want to tell them they can have him. Instead, I make my way to the bar in search of another wine. As for my hair, I’ll spend the time drinking my wine considering how much I want to be on his shit list later. Maybe I’ll fix my hair, maybe I’ll send him a big fuck you.
As I pass the ballroom door, I swear I catch sight of Mason.
Surely not.
Surely Joe hasn’t put the club on security detail here tonight.
I can’t help myself, though; I exit the room to see for myself. There’s a lot of people milling around in the foyer, and I’ve made it through them all before I see him. He’s outside the hotel on his phone, and before I know it, I’m pushing through the hotel doors and joining him. It’s a dumb move, but I’m unable to stop myself.
His back is to me, and while I’m not trying to eavesdrop, I catch snippets of the conversation.
“Yeah, I know, Mum, but I’m worried about you. Do you need someone to come sit with you at the hospital while you have your chemo? I can probably swing the time off,” he says.
Alexa told me their mother has cancer. I wanted to reach out to Mason to see how he was but decided against it. Hearing the worry in his voice makes me regret that decision.
He listens to what his mother says before saying, “It fucking pisses me off that Dad isn’t supporting you through this. I’ll be there.” He pauses briefly before saying, “This isn’t up for negotiation. I will be there.” He turns, coming face to face with me. “Fuck,” falls from his lips. And then to his mother—“I have to go, Mum. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He stabs at the phone to end the call, his eyes firmly on me. “What the fuck are you doing out here?”
“Wow, I really love the way you speak to me now, Mason.”
“You made it really fucking clear yesterday that you don’t want anything to do with me, so