Grog nodded. “How do you start finding information on this?”
Rupert sat back down. “Yeah. How do we even go about figuring any of this out if no one saw anything of value?”
Max threaded our fingers together. “We have the insignias on their rings to go on. John thinks he can enhance the images enough to make them out. From there, we should be able to track down who sells the rings, and hopefully go from there. But right now, it’s the only lead we’ve got.”
Benji snickered. “It’s a shit lead.”
Max nodded. “Trust me, I know. Keep your eyes open and your ears to the ground. Keep your noses as clean as you can. And if you get yourself into a situation your gut doesn't like, get out. Immediately. We can’t take any chances right now. Especially with loved ones. And if you hear any whispers, you come straight to me. Is that clear?”
The men nodded. “Yes, boss.”
The unanimous echo. The snapping of his fingers. The way the guys hung on to his every word. My eyes slowly widened as Max nodded his head, dispersing the men to put the tables back in their rightful places. I slowly turned toward him. My eyes danced along the profile of his face.
“Are you their boss, Max?”
A grin ticked his cheek before his eyes flickered my way.
“And if I am?”
My lips parted in shock. He really was. He was their main man. The boss. The big cheese. Their president. I’d been doing a bit of research on crews like this. Their hierarchy. Their strategic thinking. Their traditions. The president wielded all the power. Well, except for the owner of the crew. Did Max own them, too? Or was John the owner?
I didn’t see John at the meeting. Even though he was mentioned. And he was apparently helping.
Maybe this is a family thing and his brother owns the group.
As Max and I sat there, watching the men put the room back together, I wondered what this meant for me. I felt more powerful than ever, sitting next to him, being protected by his hand on my knee. Quickly becoming the object of his affections. Something wild stirred within me. Something that tugged a smile across my lips.
Something I’d never felt before.
And something I wanted to keep on feeling.
“Anything else, boss?”
Benji’s voice rose above the clamor and everyone turned to face him. Benji and Max stared off for a long time. I looked back and forth between the two of them, and what I wouldn’t have given to be a flicker on the inside of Max’s mind.
“Nope. You’re all dismissed.”
And everyone did as Max commanded.
No wonder he’s used to getting what he wants.
The men filed out the door, and some of them even waved to me. I still wasn’t a fan of any of them calling me Bambi. Especially Benji. But I had to figure out what Max meant by his statement.
About me not knowing what the nickname meant.
I know what Benji means when he says it.
Max turned to face me. “Hope that wasn’t too boring for you.”
I snickered. “Are you kidding? It was thrilling. Thank you for bringing me along.”
He laughed. “You really need to get out more, gorgeous.”
“Then take me out anytime you’d like.”
A growl fell softly from his lips before he pulled my chair closer to him with one hand, not stopping until our knees touched. His hand wrapped around the back of my head, pulling me quickly to him. And as our lips crashed together, I drew in a deep breath.
Before melting into his embrace.