Page 7 of Colt

Before I could respond, I felt Torch wrap his arm around my waist. “Babe, don’t you need to go inside and help with the food?”

His smooth voice sounded calm on the surface, but I knew what Torch was doing. The way his fingers spread over my hip, pulling me into his body—he was making sure Fitz knew who I belonged to. He didn’t need to worry about Fitz though. He saw me as nothing more than a little sister, and any feelings I carried for him were strictly platonic.

When Torch leaned in for a kiss, I felt my entire body lock up, and it took everything in me to not pull away. I hoped no one noticed my reaction, but when I looked at Fitz, I knew it hadn’t escaped his attention. He tilted his head and quirked a brow, but I ignored the silent question and headed back inside. A few of the club girls were already setting the food out. I grabbed the remaining tray and took it into the back yard where several picnic tables were set up. We were lucky this week with the mild, mid-September temperatures allowing us to enjoy the outdoors before the sun went down.

After the guys got their food, I prepared a plate for myself then made my way over to sit between James and Torch, which put me across from Hawk and Fitz. I listened intently as they filled us in on their ride up here and things happening back in Las Vegas. Fitz and Hawk’s younger brother, Wolf, seemed to be close and it sounded like Fitz had taken him under his wing while Hawk was away, serving his country. Most of the stories revolved around the three of them with the occasional anecdote about some of the others I knew. There was no mention of the Phantoms or any other club business since there were a lot of people around, but listening to the stories about Las Vegas made me a bit nostalgic. I spent the first eleven years of my life living there and still had friends that I kept in touch with, including Fitz’s sister, Melissa. It wasn’t easy when we were younger and had to rely on writing letters to each other, but once we had cell phones and social media accounts, we found ways to stay connected.

“How’s Melissa doing?” I asked Fitz. “I haven’t talked to her in a couple of weeks.”

“She’s doing good. She and Mark have been busy moving into their new place. You should come back for a real visit soon; I know she would love to see you.”

The idea was tempting, but I knew it wouldn’t happen. I was about to respond when Torch decided to chime in. “Ember’s pretty busy these days with work and all. Don’t think a trip is in the cards.”

Fitz looked between Torch and me, and I could see the confusion in his eyes. I’d never been one to let other people tell me what to do, except maybe my father and James.

“Well, the offer stands,” Fitz added before getting sucked back into conversation with my brother.

“You can forget about going to Vegas unless I’m with you,” Torch whispered in my ear.

Turning toward him I plastered a fake smile on my face. “I know.” He didn’t need to remind me that he was the one who controlled what I did, no matter how much I wished that wasn’t true.

The party got louder and rowdier as the hours ticked by. I indulged a bit more than usual, needing to relax and wanting to have some fun despite the fucked-up situation I was in. Torch was caught up in a conversation with my brother, so I headed to the bar for another drink.

“Everything okay, Red?”

I spun around to see Fitz standing right behind me.

“Yeah. Why?” I asked as I stumbled over my own feet.

He reached out to steady me. “Don’t bullshit me, Ember.” Fitz never used my real name, so I knew he was serious. “I know it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other, but I’ve known you forever. Something’s off about you.”

I knew what he was digging for. Unfortunately for him, he wasn’t going to get anything out of me tonight. I also needed to be more careful around him, as I didn’t need anyone to notice how repulsed I was by Torch.

Glancing around the room, my eyes stopped on Torch. His gaze was boring into me, staring at the hands braced on my hips. Looking back at Fitz, I smiled and hoped it looked genuine. “Seriously, everything is good, Fitz. I’m just tired. It’s been a busy day.”

With a fresh beer in my hand, I stepped out of his hold and began to walk away, but Fitz matched my steps and whispered so only I could hear him. “I’m always here if you need me, Red.”

He squeezed my arm and walked away. It meant a lot that Fitz not only recognized that I was in distress earlier, but that he was also willing to help me, even though I wouldn’t be taking him up on the offer. Ultimately, my problems were my own to deal with. I wouldn’t put a member of the club in a position to help with a situation I created for myself. I needed to figure this one out on my own.