I sigh. There’s no hiding this anymore. “Fine. I got involved with the Grim Wolves by accident. It started at a friend’s birthday and I made an impression. Their VP and I got involved, but that ended badly. Now, they’re protecting me and you and we’re formulating a plan to take down the Falcons.” I figure a shorter version is probably for the best.
“You fell for him, didn’t you?” His question hits me like another bullet.
I can feel the blush creeping up my neck. “I think so, but I can’t. I have much at stake and I’m not ready to forgive what he did. Honestly, I don’t know if I would even if I could.”
“Sometimes, forgiveness is the hardest of all when it comes to those we love,” Jeremiah says.Wait a minute.
I snort. “Why are you quoting Mr. Rogers?”
Jeremiah doesn’t falter. “The man made valid points. Your heart won’t lie to you. You were falling for a man who made you feel safe. Do I approve of the man? No. But the man seems to have a hold on you.” Jeremiah speaks the truth, whether I choose to listen or not.
I try my hardest to deflect and reposition. “When did this turn into a conversation about me? Listen, the Wolves are going to help us take down the Falcons and fix this.”
Jeremiah lets me change the conversation. “Falcons. I’m not surprised. They’ve always been at war with each other, but I don’t think they’re working alone. I mean, who do you think is supplying the names?” Shock and wonder wash over me so quickly, I practically lose consciousness.
“Are you saying these people are beingtargeted?” This throws a wrench into things. Rawlings mentioned that Sheldon was mixed up with the Falcons, but maybe he’s doing more than we thought…
“Oh, for fuck’s sake. Why didn’t I realize this? That’s why Sheldon is mixed up with them because of the access.” I immediately reach for my phone and dial grump ass himself. It only takes a few rings.
“Bjorn?”
I scoff at his formality. “You’d think after all this, you would call me Tessa.”
“Did you call to waste time or is there something you want to share?” No one could ever accuse Rawlings of being a nice guy.
“I have something and I think it’s a game changer.” I smirk--this is going to play in my favor.
“Care to share?” he asks. I can tell he’s growing impatient, and I’m loving every moment of it.
“Hmm, not yet. I need to know more from your end. Your little field trip was useful, but it’s been three weeks and you’re kind of slacking on your end.” I put the phone on speaker; I want Jeremiah in on this.
I can almost hear the steam coming from Rawlings’ ears. “I swear, if I’d known you were trouble from the beginning, I’d save on alcohol. When did you want to speak?”
“Sunday, my only day off. I’ll come to the compound and we can catch up.”
“Why not tonight? From the looks of things, you’ve been slacking on being sociable,” he sneers out.Asshole.
“My life, my business. Tonight, I’d rather drink my weight in whiskey and celebrate my birthday. So, Sunday or you can suffer the consequences of your impatience.” Jeremiah looks at me with a warning, as if to saydon’t push this any further.
There’s a brief moment of silence before Rawlings takes the bait. “Sunday, 9am. If you’re late, I swear, youwillregret it, Bjorn.”
“Rawlings, you just know how to make a woman quiver with excitement,” I tease. I’m growing; months ago, I’d probably have torn him a new one. I hear him mumble something under his breath before I hang up.
“Ms. Tessa, what game are you playing?” Jeremiah asks me cautiously.
I shrug. “Just the small cub turning having more power than the big bad wolf.”Rawr.I plant a kiss on Jeremiah’s forehead and make my way home. Tonight, the world is my oyster, and I’m going to dance and sing the night away.
Everyone seems to migrate to my house. Brittany pokes her head into the bathroom. “Are we finding you a man tonight?”
I scrunch my nose. “I don’t think that’s the move tonight,” I say, the curling iron close to my head.
“I mean, you ain’t looking and you won’t be getting back with dick for brains. Why not?” she asks, leaning into the door frame.
Sometimes, I think Brittany just likes to cause trouble. “Because it took me a long ass time to break down my barriers and look where it got me.” I stare into the mirror.
“The best sex of your life and a man who adored you,” Sam yells from the living room.
“A man who used me instead of trusting me,” I yell back.