Chapter 10
Gemma
I wanted to find an excuse to see Talon again. Every single night I fell asleep, I closed my eyes and saw him. The silent way he had commanded my body had been astonishing. The way I had simply relented to him was intoxicating. But the way he made me feel safe through it all was something I’d never experienced before. In college, there had always been this underlying fear. This need to clock things in the room I could use as weapons. I’d always been intent on staying on top just in case I needed to get away, but I kept myself in the gym and strong just in case I was on the bottom and needed to still get away.
But with him, there was no fear. Just an experience and an emotion and an orgasm so powerful I thought I was going to evaporate into thin air.
Despite the conversation Jace and I had at the bar that night, he was still hounding me about Talon. He kept asking me if we were talking, or if we had talked that night. I kept brushing him off, saying his threat probably scared him or something, and Jace would mutter something like ‘good’ or ‘serves him right.’ I had no idea what the hell he was talking about, but I knew there was something he wasn’t telling me.
Something about Talon that was crucial to me knowing.
“Getting up to anything tonight?” Jace asked.
“Not really,” I said. “Might go out into town later. There are some things I’d like for my bathroom if that’s okay.”
“I don’t give a shit what you put in there. It’s yours, far as I’m concerned. You grew up in the thing.”
“Just making sure is all,” I said, grinning.
“Any luck on the job hunt?” he asked.
“Been putting in some applications, but you know how it is getting a job around here. Even a part-time position takes two weeks to get back to you. Hopefully, I’ll secure some interviews.”
“Where you applying to?”
“A couple of full-time management positions, a couple of music educator positions. I’m also thinking about making some fliers and advertising my ability to give music lessons. It all depends on what I find in town.”
“Thought you were looking for bathroom stuff?” he asked.
“You know that discount store Mom and Dad used to always go to?” I asked.
“Yeah?”
“There’s a music store across the street. Figured I’d go price music books and a stand. Stuff like that.”
“You’ll need all that as the teacher? Doesn’t the student bring that shit?”
“Nope. I provide beginning sheet music and the stand. I’ll also need to buy a piano-tuning kit.”
“Well, if ya take that route, lemme know. We can carve out space or something in the house for ya, and I’ll get that damn piano moved somehow.”
“You could always call Talon to help,” I said, grinning.
I saw Jace’s face fall in that very instant and I couldn’t help but throw my head back and laugh.
“Holy hell, it’s still too easy to piss you off,” I said.
“That’s not funny. I’m serious. Talon’s no good for you. At least right now.”
“What does that mean?” I asked. “Supposedly, he wasn’t good enough for me when we were teenagers either.”
“Gemma, you’re a good woman. Ain’t nobody gonna be good enough for you. But right now, with the club, we’re in some stuff right now. Talon’s our main man. He doesn’t need his head distracted with the likes of you.”
“What do you mean?” I asked. “Are you guys in trouble?”
“Look, I’ve said too much already, but--”
“Jace. Are you in trouble?”
Even though my brother was stubborn as hell, he was the only family I had left. If there was something threatening him-- something looming over him in any way--, I wanted to know. I wanted to help him in any way I could. He was my brother, and this protection thing didn’t go just one way.
“Gemma, look at me. We’re fine, okay. We just can’t go getting distracted. I’ve been going to work and coming home, so I don’t do just that, okay? Besides the fact that Talon shouldn’t lay a finger on you ever because you’re precious to me and deserve more than this life, right now is the shittiest time for you to try and defy me.”
“Defy you? You don’t own me, Jace.”
“Gemma, I’m not looking’ to fight with you. Just… fucking stay away from him, okay?”
Even with everything Jace had just said, I felt more lost than ever. Something was bothering him. Something big. And I wanted to know what it was. But more than that, I wanted to see Talon. If he knew what we’d done that night before our fight, he’d be pissed.
But now that I heard the desperation behind his voice, I wasn’t so sure Jace wouldn’t try to beat the shit out of Talon.
“Fine. Whatever. I’m heading into town. You need anything?” I asked.
“Nope. Keep your phone on you in case you need me. I’ve got mine right here.”
He patted his back pocket, and I felt my gut lurch. He’d been carrying that thing around on full blast ever since I told him what had happened to me back in college. I could still see the sickening guilt in his eyes whenever he told me where his phone was, and a part of me was regretting ever telling him that story.
“Be back later,” I said as I grabbed my purse.
“If I’m not here, there’s food in the fridge for you.”
“I’ll probably grab something out, honestly. You know how I am with shopping,” I said.
“True. I’ll come help you with your bags in the morning.”
The grin he threw me almost made me feel guilty that I was lying through my teeth. The fact was, I was about to go see Talon. I had my out, I had confirmation that he didn’t need anything, and I left the time of my arrival home open-ended.
That was the freest I was going to get from Jace for now, and I was taking advantage of it.
“Hey, Gemma?” Jace asked.
“Yeah?”
“You know I love you, right?”
I nodded even as the guilt wafted up my throat.
“I do. I love you, too, Jace. I’ll be back later,” I said.
“Have fun figuring out what to do with your life.”
“Have fun not getting yourself killed with your club,” I said.
Then, I was out the door, in my car, and headed for Talon’s. I backed out of the driveway and headed down the road, a smile on my face while I jammed out to my music. I was singing at the top of my lungs and racing through lights any which way I could, trying to cut the time it took me to get to Talon’s apartment. He’d sent me his address that morning, saying I was welcome whenever, and I told him I’d take him up on the opportunity as soon as I could.
I pulled up into his apartment complex to see him standing in the doorway of his apartment.
He looked to be looking out at something, and I simply sat there and watched him. His eyes followed something along the road like he was actively tracking something, and I turned my head to see if I could see anything. Nothing looked out of place or out of the ordinary, but my brother’s words did start echoing off the corners of my mind.
Talon’s our main man. He doesn’t need his head distracted with the likes of you.
It was then that Talon’s stare panned down to me. The stern glare that was seated on his face soon turned coy, and the smirk that crawled across his cheeks shivered my bones. He nodded his head inward, turning his back on me as I walked into his apartment, and I stumbled out of my car and ran up the steps to get to him.
I paused just outside of his apartment door and drew in a deep breath through my nose before I walked in.
“Got some stuff to do tonight,” he said.
“Oh, well. I could always come back later?” I asked.
“Not necessary. I’ll be back in a couple hours. Make yourself at home.”
“Talon, that’s really not necessary. I’ve got some shopping I could do anyway to keep myself busy for two hours.”
But the look he threw my way silenced the very voice in my throat.
“Two hours,” he said as he came over and kissed my cheek. “Make yourself some dinner and relax. I’ll be back soon.”
I found myself nodding as he walked out the door, locking it behind him as I stood there in the darkness of his apartment. The way he simply expected me to obey him was astounding. What kind of cockiness had this man developed while I had been at college?
And yet, he didn’t ask anything of me that wasn’t insane or obsolete. He simply wanted me to eat, relax, and wait for him to get back.
So, I walked over to his fridge, started pulling out things to cook, and decided to make him a plate while I was at it.
After all, he could heat it up after he got back.