Man of the House(188)

She nodded slowly. “And you’re not happy about it.”

“No, I guess not.”

“What’s his name again?”

“Jetter,” I said. “You know him.”

“Yeah, I do.”

“Listen, Caralee—”

“You don’t have to explain,” she said quickly. I had forgotten that Caralee had a bad history with Jetter. “All of that was a long time ago.”

“Still. I want you to understand.”

“Okay. Make me understand then.”

“It’s for the club. Because of this war, guys are dying. If we can get the Rebels on our side, well, we can win sooner. That’s what this marriage is about.”

“Honey,” Caralee said softly, “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

I cocked my head. “Why do you say that?”

“Haven’t you noticed?” she asked. “Just look around.”

So I did. I looked around the room, and nothing seemed particularly strange. I shook my head as I turned back toward her. “I’m not sure what you’re getting at.”

“I know I haven’t been around much, but look at how the guys are sitting. The Rebels and the Demons, they’re not mixing. They hate each other, Janine. They don’t want to be near each other, let alone in the same club.”

I sighed. “I know that. My marriage is supposed to help.”

“What do they care about a marriage?”

“They care about their president.”

Caralee shrugged, a skeptical look on her face. “I guess. I’m sorry, Janine. I know I’m being such a jerk right now. I just want to see you happy.”

I sighed, smiling softly. Caralee was just about the nicest person I knew, and it was hard to be angry with her, even when she was telling me something difficult that I didn’t want to hear.

“I know,” I said. “I don’t think I’m unhappy.”

“Why wouldn’t you be? You’re going to be married to that piece of shit.”

“Maybe,” I said. “Probably. But I don’t know; I’m just not unhappy.”

And that was a strange realization. As soon as I said it, I knew that I was only hanging on because I had Clutch.

For as frustrating as he was, for the danger that put us in, I didn’t care. Being around Clutch made me feel things I could barely put into words.

Caralee was looking at me. “Hello, Janine? I said, what’s keeping your spirits up?”

“Can’t say,” I admitted. “It could get me and someone else in a lot of trouble.”

She leaned back in her chair, grinning at me. “Oh. I see.”

“I can’t say more than that.”

“You don’t have to.” She leaned in toward me. “What are you going to do?”

“About what?”

“Don’t pretend like we both don’t know what’s going on now,” she said. “You’re having an affair with Clutch.”

I nearly choked on my coffee. “I’m that obvious?”

“Yeah, basically,” she said. “He’s your bodyguard, he’s hot, you two have always been friendly, and suddenly you’re happy, despite all this shit?” She shrugged. “Doesn’t take a genius to figure that out.”

“Caralee, if you tell anyone, both of us could be killed.”

“Relax,” she said. “I would never want to see my friends killed, or the guys they’re into.”

“That’s the thing, I don’t even know if I’m into him. Things are complicated.”

“They always are.”

“It’s not like I can do anything about it.”

“You’re not married yet, are you?”

“No.”

“Then you can do whatever you want.”

“You know it doesn’t work like that,” I said with a sigh.

“Because you’re ‘claimed’ or whatever? Screw that,” she said. “I was claimed once. It’s bullshit.”

I laughed, shaking my head. She was so strong, and it always amazed me. “You know it means something to them.”

“Yeah, them.” She made a face. “Screw them and their rules.”

“I wish.”

“Listen, Janine. You know me. I’m in this club for life now.”

I laughed. “Yeah. You had club babies.”

“I’m a damn old lady. But, I think you should make a move before you’re really tied down. Before you’re married.”

I frowned at that. “I can’t. I have to help this merger happen.”

“Did your father tell you that?”

“No,” I said quickly. “Larkin told me I can get out whenever I want.”