Vincent wanted the bastard to make a move, give him an excuse to unleash all his pent-up tension. It had been too long since he’d thrown a punch or had sex, the only two outlets he had. And when it came to hurting women and children, God only knew the extent of his patience.
“Our clubs have tentative peace; this won’t help,” Crash reminded him.
“I’d rather go to war than have to claim any affiliation with a man like you.” Vincent picked up the handset of the house phone and dialed zero. J.T. picked up in the shop. “Send Scoundrel and Jones to my office.” He hung up, then focused on Crash again. “You just earned an escort out of the city. Anything else I can help you with?”
Crash retreated from Vincent’s office the second the Brothers appeared in the hallway. With nothing left to say, why prolong the unsanctioned visit? The Sons of Odin and Man-o-Wars had nothing in common, never would.
Once he was sure he was alone, Vincent picked up his cell and dialed Dog Tag. “Just finished the meeting with Crash. Pack a suitcase and get Saline over here for a few days. I’d feel better if you stayed close. I don’t trust the Man-o-Wars.”
“You think Crash will try something?”
“I think reactions speak volumes, and he wasn’t a happy man when he left.”
“I’m sorry I jeopardized the club and didn’t come to you first.”
Vincent exhaled. “I forgive you, Brother, but I can’t overlook your bad judgment. What if someone sliced you open in the parking lot and you died? Do you know the ramifications? How I’d have to respond?”
“Blood for blood.”
“More than that.” Although Vincent and Dog Tag had patched out at the same time, Dog Tag lacked the maturity of an experienced member. Vincent blamed his arrogance and popularity with women. “We’ll discuss it later.”
“Understood.”
Finished at the bar, Vincent locked his office and left via the emergency exit. He didn’t want to see anybody right now. The conversation with Tina over lunch had gone slightly sour before he left the café and he needed to do recon before she had too much time to think about it. Weighing the pros and cons of starting a relationship with her didn’t produce any viable excuses not to. The usual detractors men complained about but never meant—getting stuck with one woman, financial demands, time constraints—none of those applied to her.
She had a career, friends, family—a life of her own. The majority of old ladies and pass-arounds needed something only a Brother could supply. Not Tina. She wanted him for his body and brains. It made him smile.
Suddenly it occurred to him that she’d offered a no-strings option. What kind of fool turns down a woman like Tina? He reached his bedroom in the clubhouse and closed and locked the door, then stepped in front of the full-length mirror hanging on the closet door. The answer hit him hard. A man who’s forgotten how good it feels to make love to a woman with a soul.
Chapter 13
Tina appreciated the lush surroundings in her office. She’d designed it with comfort in mind, and it doubled as a sanctuary on stressful days. The charcoal wallpaper and creamy lacquered desk her parents bought her as a graduation gift, combined with a classic blue velvet sofa and matching chairs set against the bright sunshine that flooded her work space through three windows, was what kept her sane in the morning. Never a morning person, she rarely engaged in deep conversation before she’d consumed two cups of coffee.
Her legal assistant, Madeline, greeted her in the hallway. “Have you seen the bouquet yet?”
“Did you get flowers from the fireman you’ve been dating?”
“Me?” she laughed. “Three dozen red roses and a Waterford crystal vase await you in your office.”
Perhaps Vincent had had a change of heart? Madeline handed her a cup of java, then walked with her down the well-lit corridor. Tina’s Jimmy Choo heels clicked on the tiles as she approached her open door. The silk drapes were drawn, the overhead lights off. Sitting in the middle of her desk was the most elegant bouquet she’d ever received.
“Did I exaggerate?” Madeline arched a brow.
Vincent wouldn’t waste money on something so frivolous. She walked to her desk and smelled the flowers as she grabbed the card pinned to the red ribbon tied around the vase. Look inside yourself to discover the truth…What the hell did that mean? And whoever sent it didn’t leave a name. But the vague language had Kline written all over it. Tina frowned and looked at her assistant. “What flower shop delivered these?”
“Blossom Shop Florist. The delivery guy left fifteen minutes ago. Is something wrong?”