Tank
Iknew this was a bad idea. I threatened Maverick and Glock with their lives, and when they came in the front door with me, they both had their heads down, refusing to even look at Ava. It isn’t until we’re sitting down to the table and I see the worry on Ava’s face that I know I need to let up a little.
“Guys, you don’t have to stare at the table. You can look at her... just don’t look at her.”
Ava bursts out laughing. “Tank!”
I lift a forkful of noodles from my plate. “What? There’s nothing wrong with that.”
She shakes her head. “Guys, please ignore him and eat. There’s bread too. I didn’t have anything for salads, but I was able to whip up an apple dessert.”
The guys both lift their heads and look at me. I give them a nod. Hell, I only meant they couldn’t stare at her. Now they’re just being rude.
They both briefly look at Ava, and Maverick says, “Thank you, ma’am.”
Glock nods his head before stuffing the spaghetti in his mouth.
Everyone starts to eat, and after my first bite, I point at my plate. “I had this in the kitchen?”
She shrugs. “Yeah, I mean I had to add some seasoning and stuff to the sauce, but it was all in there.”
I nod. “It’s good.”
She laughs and starts talking to Mav and Glock. It’s amazing to me how she gets them to open up and relax. By the end of dessert, the guys are laughing, and they are practically eating out of her hand. She definitely has some fans.
When dessert is over, I’ve had enough of sharing Ava with anyone else. I walk the guys outside, and Mav stops on the porch. “What’s up with the ex-boyfriend?”
I shrug. “Ruin has tracked him down. He’s pretty sure he’s making his way here.”
Mav and Glock both have fierce looks on their faces. “Want us to head him off?”
I look at the guys. I know they’re still prospects, but their loyalty to the club—and now Ava—is plain to see. “No, I got this one. But I need you... to answer your phones.”
They both nod and step off the porch. When they get to the bottom step, I stop them. “Hey guys...”
They both look up at me. “Look, uh, if anything ever happens to me...” I point to the house. “Ava—”
I don’t even get the words out when Mav interrupts me. “She’s one of us. We got it.”
I nod, glad that they understand. I haven’t claimed her to Ruin and the rest of the brothers yet, but I will. And once I do, she’ll be a Diamond King for life. I shake my head as I walk into the house. I’m not sure she knows exactly what she’s gotten herself into.
Ava sees me shaking my head as I come in. “What is it?”
I walk straight to her and kiss her, running my hands through her hair and cupping her ass, holding her to me. When I pull back, we’re both breathless. Her lips are swollen, and her eyes heavy. “Wow!”
I nod. “Yep.”
She rests her cheek against my chest as I run my hands up and down her back. “You have made two fans for life. I’m pretty sure that if they ever have to choose me or you... they’d choose you.”
She laughs. “They were nice. I like them.”
I lock my hands behind her back. “You like them? You’ll think you like them.”
She pats me on the chest. “Oh, you know what I mean.”
I stare into her eyes, and I swear I’m looking at my future. “Cassie said you graduated. What’s your degree in?”
She seems taken aback by my question. “Business with a minor in photography.”