Page 49 of Link (Dragon Riders MC 1)
“Got any suggestions? Because I don’t have a place to live.”
I smiled. “I actually do have a few suggestions.”
“Link already told me about possibly going and staying with one of his guys. But I don’t know if I’d want to do that alone.”
“Well, there’s always the option of moving into the place where I am now.”
“And drive you crazy? We’d kill one another.”
I snickered. “Well, I kind of won’t be there.”
She paused. “What do you mean?”
I peeked up at Link before he nodded at me. Signaling that it was okay for me to say something.
“Jo? What's going on?”
I giggled. “I’m moving in with Link.”
Her face fell flat. “What?”
“I’m moving in with him. But that doesn’t get me out of the lease I signed with the rental house. It’ll be open and vacant, unless I can find a subletter. You’re more than willing to stay there, if you so choose.”
“You know I can’t pay rent for a place like that.”
“Did I say anything about you paying for something?”
Link chuckled beside me, but Hope didn’t seem amused.
“Jo, you don’t have to pay for shit like that. I can find my own way.”
“Hope, right now isn’t the time to be independent or stubborn.”
She pulled her hands away. “Yeah, I know that, Joanna. But that doesn’t mean I want people paying for all of my shit.”
I shrugged. “Then, the only other option you’ve got is to stay with one of the guys from the crew.”
Link jumped in. “Unless you want to move into the clubhouse.”
I paused. “The clubhouse?”
Hope furrowed her brow. “What’s the clubhouse? And how do I know you guys aren’t going to just screw me over like the Jags did?”
I interjected. “They will never do that kind of thing to you. Ever.”
She huffed. “And how do you know that? I mean, look. I’m thankful for all they’ve done. Especially what they did for you yesterday. But they’re a crew. How do we know they’re not into the same damn stuff—”
I looked her dead in her eyes. “You have my word, on everything I hold dear, that these guys—that Link—is nothing like those assholes. At all. Their businesses are above board.”
Link murmured. “Mostly.”
I rolled my eyes as Hope narrowed hers. But Link jumped back in before the argument had a chance to take off.
“The clubhouse is a building we only use in emergencies. It’s got multiple rooms, a kitchen, and living space, and each room has a bathroom. It can accommodate up to forty people at a time, if necessary. It’s massive, but it’s also fortified. It’s the safest place we’ve got to put you, but I’ll still have to rotate men to be stationed with you.”
Hope paused. “Why?”
Link shrugged. “Other than the fact that it’s kind of out in the middle of nowhere? You’re not staying by yourself until this is done. Until further notice, you and your sister are under our protection.”
“And what if I don’t want your protection?”
My eyes widened. “Hope.”
She shook her head. “No, no, no. Now, I get it. You’re in love, or some other shit with this guy. Cool. That’s great. I’m happy for you. But I’ve lived in literal hell this past year, Jo. I’ve literally stood at Satan’s side and done anything to make him happy just so he’ll spare me.”
My eyes watered. “Hope.”
She pointed at me. “And I’m not getting myself into another situation where I’m indebted to someone for something. Ever.”
“You can trust them, Hope. I’m serious.”
“Then, I want to provide something in return. Something for them in exchange for the protection so I don’t owe them shit at the end of the day.”
Link licked his lips. “That can be arranged. I’m good with that deal.”
Hope nodded. “Good. Because I wasn’t giving you a choice. Oh, and I get to come and go from this clubhouse as I please.”
Link held up his finger. “With an escort.”
“What if I prove to you I can shoot a gun?”
I hissed. “Hope. Stop it.”
Link shook his head. “She’s fine. She’s got every right to feel the way she does right now. Let me handle it from here, okay?”
I leaned heavily against the seat as I mindlessly plucked a menu from the holster against the wall.
“I’ll make you a compromise then,” Link said. “Either you come and go as you please from the clubhouse and deal with a night guard, or you can have an escort during the day and have the place to yourself at night. I won’t do both, though. It’s one or the other. You can have your pick.”
I peered over my menu at Hope and watched her consider his offer.
“Okay. But only during the day. Got it? I’m fine at night. I’m more than proficient with a gun. Just as long as I’ve got the ammunition I need in case someone comes for me? I’m good.”
