“You didn’t know that, though. So basically I got the job only because of you, not because of me or what I can do. I don’t know, it just feels like I didn’t earn it now.”
Is it an overreaction that I feel like I need to quit?
“Jess is always raving about how lucky she is to have you,” he says, taking my hand and bringing me closer to him. “You kept the job, and that was all you. I just told her to give you a chance. She had about twenty people apply, Valentina. You wanted the job, and I wanted you to have what you want. I’m sorry if it comes off as—”
“Controlling,” I insert.
“Controlling,” he continues, now scowling at me. “But it was within my power to give you that, so I did. And I’d do it again. So if you want to be angry, then be angry, because I don’t regret it.”
I throw my hands in the air. “You’re unbelievable. So basically this whole time I’ve been working for the club, is that what you’re trying to say?”
He nods slowly. “The club owns the salon, yeah. But we don’t have anything to do with it; we just funded it for Jess, really.”
I’m pretty sure my eye is starting to twitch. “Why didn’t you just tell me that from the start? I don’t like all these hidden secrets and shit!”
“Because I knew you would act like this,” he admits, lying back on the bed and staring at the ceiling. “You’re proud, I know it. But fuck, Valentina, I did you a favor, it’s not the end of the world.”
I puff out an angry breath and climb into his bed. He’s right, in a way, but so am I. Here I thought I’d done everything by myself, but really he’s been taking care of everything from the beginning. I know that if that’s the only thing I have to complain about in this relationship, I’m pretty lucky, but still, the fact I didn’t even know Jess was a part of his MC makes me feel stupid and out of the loop.
“There better not be any more secrets,” I say to him. “I’m serious, Ardan. I know you can’t tell me everything you do with the club, but when it concerns me, I want total honesty.”
“There’s nothing else, Valentina,” he says, sounding tired. “If anything, this shows how much I wanted you right from the start. I kept you completely away from the club because I wanted you to know me, Ardan, and not just Irish. But you also have Jess as a friend now, someone you can turn to if you have any questions you want to ask a woman, or, I don’t know . . . I just thought it would make bringing you into my world a little easier, because I plan on you staying here.”
Softening a little, I scoot next to him and lay my head on his chest, on the spot where he was injured. “You plan on me staying here?”
“I wouldn’t put so much effort in with you if I didn’t,” he says, closing his eyes. “I want you as my old lady. What did you think we were doing here?”
“Ardan,” I say when his rant is over.
“Yeah?”
“I love you too.”
Although Ardan can be controlling, it’s completely different from Darren. I get it now. The two men are nothing alike, nothing. It’s the thoughts and the reasons behind why Ardan does things, and the fact that even if I don’t listen to him, he won’t hurt me in any way. He has a good heart, and I can deal with his alpha tendencies. He just wants to take care of me, but there are no conditions behind it. He just loves me and wants the best for me.
His eyes spring open. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I say, half lying on top of him and kissing his lips. “I love you.”
“Finally,” he growls, kissing me deeply.
When he pulls away, I say to him, “But no more secrets.”
“Do I get make-up sex now?” he asks, making me grin.
“This was our first fight, wasn’t it?”
“There’ll be lots more where that came from,” he says, sucking on my bottom lip. “But if we keep our fights clean and our sex dirty, I think we’ll make it through each one.”
I think he’s right.
TWELVE
THE next night at dinner, I meet the rest of his brothers, including Vinnie, the club’s youngest member, and the club president, Sin. I remember Vinnie from seeing him briefly with Rake, but don’t mention that to either of them. I also meet all their old ladies and like them right away. They’re all beautiful, smart, witty women, and I can see why any man would be drawn to them. Faye is hilarious, and I can tell she cares for everyone under this roof, taking the time to talk with each member of the family. When Jess comes and sits next to me where we’re hanging outside, I don’t really know what to say to her, instantly feeling a little awkward.
“I wasn’t allowed to say anything to you about Irish or the club,” she says, wincing. “I’m sorry. I like you, Tina, and you’re an amazing hairdresser, so I hope our friendship doesn’t change because of this. I’m glad Irish told me to hire you, because you’re the perfect fit. For him and for the salon.”
“I guess I felt stupid that everyone knew except me,” I try to explain. “But I know it wasn’t your fault; it was his. Of course we’re still friends.”
She hugs me. “Good. I meant what I said—I’m happy Irish brought you into our lives.”
“Me too,” I admit, smiling at her.
“The men will do what they want to get what they want,” she says, shaking her head. “But they’re good men. Worth the alpha bullshit we have to put up with.”
“It’s pretty hot,” I admit, the feminist in me screaming.
“I know.” She laughs. “Trust me, I know.”
“So you forgive Jess straightaway but you’re still giving me shit?” Ardan jokes as he joins us.
“It wasn’t her diabolical plan,” I tell him with a raised brow. “What are you eating?”
“There’s some chicken wings and ribs up there. Do you want me to bring you some?”
“Yes, please,” I say, and my stomach growls in agreement.
He disappears into the kitchen, and I see Jess staring at me with an odd expression.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing,” she says, shrugging. “Just never seen him wait on a woman before. In my years and years of knowing him.”
I don’t know how to react to that, so I just shrug and stay quiet.
She continues, “I’ve never seen him go out of his way to do something for one either, unless one of his brothers asked it of him, of course.”
Ardan returns with a plate of food, which he hands to me. I thank him and offer some to Jess, who politely declines. He sits next to me as I eat, and Lana and Tracker join us.
“Your hair is so beautiful,” Lana says to me, her brown eyes focused on me. “I don’t think I’ve seen hair like that before.”
“Thank you,” I tell her, touching the ends. “Ardan tells me you write books?”
She looks confused for a moment, but then her eyes widen. “Oh, Irish, right. Yes, I do. Romance novels. Are you a reader?”
I nod. “I am, but mainly nonfiction, especially biographies. I’d love to give your books a try, though—I’m sure I’ll love them.”
“Maybe my next heroine will have hair like yours.”
“Maybe I’d like that,” I reply, smiling at her.