Mayhem (Deathstalkers MC #5)(47)

"You are definitely in for a surprise." She winks at me before walking away.

When Tracie messaged me about a makeover, I wasn't sure what to say. I texted Jasmine because I wanted her to know that if she wasn't comfortable with it that she didn't need to do it. 

She needs to remember that she has a choice.

The room is nearly full as I take my seat at the front of the table with the other officers. The room is buzzing, brothers who'd stayed at home catching up with those of us who'd gone on the run. Once the door shuts and everyone sits down, Pres bangs the gavel, bringing the room to order.

"As you can see, everyone is back from the run in one piece." There are a few cheers and black slaps, but Pres stands up, silencing everyone. "That doesn't mean everything went as planned. Before you guys got to the meeting site, the Dark Knights caught five of our guys. Pulled them off on the side of the road a few hundred feet down the road. Fuckers were armed like they were ready to take on an army. Somehow they are getting information about our operation. I don't know if the mole is on their side or ours, but mark my fuckin' words, they will be found." His hands slam down on the table, his gaze sweeping over every brother in the room. "There's a rat, boys. And rats fuckin' stink. I don't care who he is, where he is-know that the rat will be found and punished severely before he loses his pathetic life."

The room is dead silent as everyone takes in the fact that someone in the club could be working against us. Pres lets us sit with that thought for a moment. If there's one thing about MCs to remember, it's that loyalty is everything. This shit will not fly.

I'll make sure of it.

Pres takes his seat, leaning forward on his elbows. "That's the only update I have right now. I'm not calling for a lockdown, but I am telling you that my old lady and family will be here until this shit is settled. There is no way to tell if these assholes will escalate from sabotaging our runs to going after them."

And on that somber note he bangs the gavel, dismissing everyone.

The atmosphere is a lot different leaving the room than it was when we arrived. With Dylan having found out where I live, my place is already unsafe, so I had already planned to have Jasmine stay here with me. With what Pres just said, that choice is cemented.

Without wasting any time, I walk back toward my bike and head over to see Jasmine. I've never second guessed myself more than I am with this woman. I usually say what's on my mind and it's up to everyone else to deal with it. When it comes to her, I'm constantly at war with myself.

The delivery doors are open so I head in that way to find Tracie and Izzy standing behind the bar. I give them a quick nod, as I walk back toward my office.

"Cutter, wait." I turn around to see Izzy standing there. Usually bubbly and frantic, she looked sheepish. This immediately set me on edge. "I swear I didn't know I wasn't supposed to say anything. I kinda let it slip that you claimed Jaz."

What the actual fuck?

Izzy is quick to explain. "Jaz was helping me with inventory. Slick came in to drop something off and was trying to hit on her and I told him to back off 'cause she's your old lady." There's a pause and the remainder comes out in one big rush. "Then I let Jaz know she really needed a property patch if she was gonna be hanging out here and at the club-I'm sorry."

There's no point in getting angry at her. It's not like she meant any harm. I didn't tell the girls that Jaz had no idea I claimed her. With hindsight, I guess I should have.

"It's okay. I'll deal with it."

Nerves that weren't there before began to creep in. After everything she's been through, my main worry is that hearing the word "property" will set back any progress we've made. I need to be strong for her, show her what it means to be mine. Introducing a woman to the life we lead is usually done over a period of time. There are stages and rituals and certain things are introduced slowly. Unfortunately for Jasmine, all of that has fallen by the wayside, and she's about to get one hell of a baptism of fire.



       
         
       
        

"Jasmine? Hey, I-"

I stop dead in my tracks. There are no words. She looks completely different. When she turns and sees me, a small gasp leaves her lips. Neither of us makes a move for what seems like the longest time.

"Is it okay? I think I let Tracie go too far." Her eyes trail away from my gaze, her teeth biting into her lip nervously.

I kick the door shut with my foot and close the distance between us, my hands touching her hips and slowly dragging up her side as I take in the sight of her. She has been beautiful since the first time I laid eyes on her. I didn't think she could look any better. But seeing her in these clothes, the clothes women in my world wear . . . she's perfect. Standing here in my office, she looks as if she's always been here. My fingers grip her chin and lift her gaze to mine.