I did again. If I knew anything about him, it was that he was relentless.
The meeting adjourned. I was heading back to Junee, but not without two enforcers at my back—luckily it was Eli and Star to start, since they were heading back to Junee anyway. I hated that I was causing so much trouble, but they were right. If one of my members got themselves a stalker, I wouldn’t blame them. And yet I couldn’t help blaming myself. This wasn’t my first rodeo; I should’ve known better about Xavier.
With a sigh, I headed out to my bike, and I didn’t have to look to know that Eli and Star were heading toward their bikes, as well. Just before I pulled on my helmet, though, a familiar voice called, “Mal, wait a second.”
I turned around, and Priest was striding down the stairs, looking determined. Surprised, I tilted my head. “What’s up?”
“I just…” Priest paused, standing close, but not too close. He rubbed the back of his neck. “I wanted to apologize for last night.”
Well, that wasn’t what I was expecting. I blinked. “Apologize?”
“Yeah,” Priest admitted. “I acted like a moron. I was just—surprised.”
“I was too,” I said. Were we really talking about this? After Priest had left that morning, I was sure we’d just pretend it never happened.
“I didn’t know how to handle that kind of moment,” Priest said, his face flushed slightly. “I still don’t. Obviously, there’s something there but—I don’t know what we should do. Or if we should do anything.”
His blue eyes flicked up to mine, and my breath caught in my chest. Feeling the attraction between us in the depths of evening, in private, was one thing, but hearing him acknowledge it aloud like this sent a new wave of desire through me—of hope. Priest looked so open and earnest when he said it, too, and I was gripped by the sudden urge to pull him in and kiss that insecure look off his face.
But if he didn’t want that last night, he certainly didn’t want it now. Still, just acknowledging the spark between us felt grounding. Comforting.
“I don’t know what we should do either,” I said. “But I don’t think we need to do anything. I’m—I’m okay with things as they are.”
Priest’s face softened into something like relief, the furrow smoothing from his brow as his lips curved into a smile. “Good,” he said. “I just wanted to make sure things were okay between us.”
“Of course they are,” I said. “And I’m sorry again about all of this. This mess with Xavier.”
“Nothing to be sorry for,” Priest said. He placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed firmly. Even in the light of day, instead of in the privacy of his cabin, his touch still sent new sparks across my skin. “Just take care of yourself, okay? And call me if you need anything.”
“Thanks,” I said. “Really.”
“Ready to roll out, boss!” Eli said pointedly.
I looked up to see more than a handful of members on the porch watching us, including Dante and Tru. I cringed at Priest, and he matched my expression before breaking into a laugh. Yeah, I’d likely get grilled about this later—and Priest would, too. But whatever wringer the guys were going to put me through, it was worth knowing that things were okay between us. For now, at least.
10
Priest
I stared up into the engine above me. It definitely needed new gaskets, and the oil pan seals could use replacement, too. Relatively minor work, but the kind of repairs I liked doing. Keeping my hands busy was good for my head, good for my grief. I liked helping out at Ankhor Works as often as I could, since it was the business I could actually help out the most—I knew if I tried to step foot into the kitchen at Stella’s, Dante would chase me out brandishing a spatula like a weapon.
Ankhor Works had a special place in my heart, too. Ballast was the first place Ankh and I opened together, but Ankhor Works was the first business that a member had brought to the club. When Maverick had asked about turning his family business into a club business, I’d almost been too shocked to speak. It was exactly what we’d wanted the club to be—family. Ankhor Works had thrived as a club business, and it was a place for me to connect with the members. I’d had a hell of a lot of good conversations with the members while we were