Page 39 of Lillith
Ember snorted behind her. “Oh, this should be good.”
Rock didn’t look away from Josie. “You’re not a club member.” Anger flickered across her features, but was gone as fast as it came. It told him enough, though. She was trying to control her anger, and he knew that Josie Rodgers had learned that lesson the hard way.
“Good to know,” she said, voice even. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Rock tilted his head slightly. “You never did answer my question. Are you planning on staying?”
“Undecided,” she breathed, not really giving him an answer still.
“Ember doesn’t invite people in for no good reason,” he said. “Do you have a good reason for being here, Josie?”
“That is between my sister-in-law and me,” she spat. She wasn’t making any of this easy, and why should she? The first and last time that he saw her, he wasn’t the nicest person to her. If he were a betting man, he’d put money on Josie trying to piss him off so he’d leave her alone. But for some reason, when it came to the woman, he couldn’t seem to help himself. He wanted to know more about her. She was hiding something—something dark from her past, and he wanted to know what it was. Sure, one could argue that it wasn’t his business, but he just couldn’t seem to get her out of his head.
He thought about walking away, but instead he stepped a little closer to her. He didn’t crowd her, but gave her just enough space to test her. She didn’t move. Josie didn’t back up and held her ground like she’d drawn a line and dared him to cross it. Yeah, something was going on with the blond vixen, and he definitely found it interesting.
“You don’t scare easily,” he said.
“No,” she replied. “I just don’t see the point in showing fear.”
Ember laughed outright at that. “This is why you’re my favorite sister-in-law,” she said.
“I’m your only sister-in-law,” Josie pointed out, causing Ember to laugh again.
“I’ve forgotten how funny you are,” Ember said, putting her arm around Josie. “It’s good to have you home.”
“I haven’t decided if I’m staying yet,” Josie pointed out.
“Right, no pressure,” Ember said, “But talk to your brother before you take off again.”
“I’ll get around to seeing Jack, don’t you worry,” Josie said. Rock felt as though he was watching a ping pong match between the two strong-willed women. He wanted to stick around to see who won, but he had other things that needed attention.
“I have some shit to do back in my office,” Ember said. “Can you stick around and not get into any trouble?” she asked. Rock wasn’t sure if she was asking him that or if she was asking Josie. Ember walked away, not waiting for an answer as Josie grumbled something about her being overly dramatic.
Rock hated silence, and Josie was giving him the silent treatment. He studied her for another second, then asked, “What do you do for work, Rodgers?”
“I’m a writer,” she said. “And I told you to call me Josie.” That wasn’t what he’d expected.
“Yeah?” he said. “What do you write about?” Her gaze held his, and he wasn’t sure if she’d give him an answer or not.
“I write about things people don’t like to talk about.” That tracked. Before he could push further, the front door opened again, hard enough to echo through the room. Rock didn’t have to turn to know who it was, but he did anyway. Jack Rodgers stood in the doorway, his jaw tight, and his eyes already locked on the woman standing in front of him, and then onto Rock. And just like that, the temperature in the room dropped ten degrees.
“Well,” Ember walked back into the clubhouse, probably hearing the ruckus. “This is gonna go great,” she said under herbreath, sounding almost amused. Jack stepped inside, shutting the door behind him with a controlled kind of force.
“You hung up on me,” he said, eyes still on Josie.
“Yeah, well, I was done talking,” she shot back.
“You don’t just hang up on someone when you’re done talking,” he replied. “You exchange pleasantries. Well, people with manners do, at least. It’s funny how that works.” His gaze shifted and landed on Rock.
“You must be Rock,” Jack said. He had seen Jack around town and at the Royal Bastards clubhouse. They had never been introduced, but Rock knew exactly who he was.
Rock didn’t move. “You must be the detective who doesn’t trust anything he can’t control.”
Ember winced. “Oh, we’re starting there today? Bold choice.” Jack ignored her. Took a few steps forward until he was standing just off Josie’s shoulder—close enough to be protective without touching her. He was claiming space without making it obvious, but Rock noticed—so did Josie. Her jaw tightened just slightly.
“You got a problem?” Jack asked.
Rock met his stare, unblinking. “Not yet.”
