Chapter Eight Min

CHAPTER EIGHT: MIN

"Just tell me the truth," I prod. "Don't pretty it up."

He chuckles at being caught. The husky sound of his chuckle reverberates through my system. Babe is a sexy man, but he's off-limits. Something I have to keep reminding myself.

"Okay. It's my weapon of choice. I was a prospect when Chaos asked me to come with him to visit a gang that was selling drugs to school kids."

"Ghost said you guys don't sell drugs. So you were putting a stop to it?"

"Yeah."

His tone tells me he's not being honest, but I don't press. Ghost mentioned the club made changes after Dante hooked up with Tally. I can imagine getting caught dealing drugs would destroy her reputation. Dante seems like he would move heaven and earth to protect Tally. So, maybe they once sold drugs, but I was confident they no longer did.

"Dante wanted us to send them a message. We found the gang members at a baseball field selling drugs to a few middle schoolers. There were five of them against the two of us. They pulled out knives, and I picked up a baseball bat. Took out three of them while Chaos handled the other two. Chaos gave me the name Babe. As in Babe Ruth."

I can tell Babe isn't telling me the complete story, but I let it go. Ghost already told me a version that was similar. He also mentioned how Babe likes to use modified bats when dealing out pain. Nails, barbed wire, and embedded glass are just a few of the materials he's used. The thought of Babe delivering justice with a swing of the bat doesn't turn me off. Quite the opposite. But I can't give in to my attraction to him. Not today. Not ever. We're business partners. That's it. Maybe if I keep telling myself, I'll finally believe it.

Faking a yawn, I burrow under the covers. "Goodnight," I tell Babe before rolling over to my side.

"Goodnight, Min," Babe says as he turns out the light.

The next morning, I wake up on top of a hard, warm surface. Opening my eyes, I'm appalled to find myself sprawled across Babe. His left arm's hooked around my waist while his right hand covers my hand laying on his naked chest. I gear up to berate him about breaking our agreement, but I quickly see that I'm on his side of the bed. Fuck me. I'm contemplating how to get out of bed without waking him when he speaks.

"You're awake? Good, I need to take a piss and didn't want to wake you," Babe says, sliding out from under me and striding into the bathroom.

I roll over and cover my eyes with my arm. I can't believe I slept on top of Babe after telling him to keep his hands to himself. Pushing down the urge to dress and escape the room before he comes back out, I roll out of bed and grab my bag. Pulling out jeans and a t-shirt, I dress slowly. He steps out of the bathroom just as I'm pulling on my t-shirt. He's only wearing a pair of boxers. I can't stop my eyes from traveling across his broad chest, down his sculpted abs, before stopping just at the spot where a trail of dark hair disappears under the waistband of his boxes. My entire focus is on him, so I don't miss when his dick twitches. I force my eyes to his face and see a smug, self-satisfied smile on his handsome features.

"Like what you see?" he asks with a chuckle.

Pursing my lips, I shake my head and turn my back to him. I take my time to grab my laptop and notebook off the nightstand. My body is aware of him moving behind me, but I don't turn around until I hear him zip up his jeans. He's covered all that skin with a t-shirt and his kutte. I'm not sure if I'm relieved or disappointed.

"Sorry about sleeping on you," I say, but he waves me off.

"You can sleep on me any time you want. I liked it," he says with a grin. Rolling my eyes, I shake my head. His grin broadens. "I knew you couldn't keep your hands off me. Feel free to sleep on me tonight."

Rolling my eyes, I smack his shoulder. "We're supposed to be business partners, not bed partners."

"Who says we can't be both?"

I frown at him as I realize the implication. "Is that why you wanted to go into business together? Just so you could get me into bed with you?"

Babe's face falls as he reaches for me. I take a step back and straighten my spine. He better be very careful with his next words because my anger is bubbling to the surface. If this was just a ploy, he was in for a serious beat-down.

"Of course not. When we were at the clubhouse talking to Grant about what it took to be a bounty hunter, I thought we'd make a great team. But I'd be lying if I told you I didn't find you irresistible. I've never been this attracted to a woman before."

"You found Lydia attractive at one time, didn't you?"

He shrugs. "I guess, but I wouldn't put you two in the same category. I was looking for a good time when I met her. She was stress relief. That's it." I crinkle my nose in disgust, which has Babe raising his hands up in defense. "I know that's a dick thing to say, but it's true. She was convenient, and I never planned on seeing her again. But the moment we met, I knew you were different. You were someone I wanted to get to know. Someone I could spend time with. When we started talking about going into business together, I saw it. You and me. Partners."

"So, if you want to be partners, why are you flirting with me?"

"Because I see my future when I look at you."

Taking a deep breath, I turn away from him and close my eyes. I'd be lying if I said the thought of us together wasn't tempting. But, I can't see our business surviving if we go there.

"Look, I get it. You think if we hook up, that will affect our partnership. I don't think it will. But you aren't there yet. Let's focus on our targets, find them, and hand them over to the authorities. We can explore us later, after we've spent some time working as partners. How does that sound?"

I turn and give him a nod.

"Now, how about we go get some breakfast?"

My head's spinning with his words as he takes my hand and leads me downstairs. The common room is less crowded than it was the night before, and I imagine most of the guys are still sleeping. Babe pulls out a chair for me at a table with a promise to bring me back coffee and food. I smile at him and then watch him walk away. Damn, the man has a nice ass. Remembering my pussy pressed up against that ass during our ride yesterday has my body heating up.

"Good morning, I hope you slept well," says Scorch as he slides into the chair across from mine. I'm glad that he didn't take the seat next to me.

"I did, thank you."

"Wanted to apologize for coming onto you last night. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I was only trying to rile up Babe."

"Why?"

He chuckles and runs his hand through his long black hair. "I've known Babe a long time. He's just crazy enough to keep up with me. Don't know if he told you, but he and I used to share girls whenever he'd come for a visit. So I couldn't resist yanking his chain when he made it clear you were off-limits."

"Hmmm," I say as I wonder if he's serious about his apology or still trying to stir up shit for Babe.

"Everything okay here?" Babe asks as he hands me a mug of coffee and a plate piled high with scrambled eggs, sausage, and toast.

"Scorch was apologizing for his comment last night," I reply.

Babe turns to take a second plate and mug of coffee from the prospect, Sammy.

"I drew a map of the church layout. I have it rolled up behind the bar," Sammy says as Babe takes his seat. Babe's attention is on Scorch, so I respond to the kid.

"Thank you. We appreciate it," I tell him.

"Good job," Babe says. "We'll grab it on the way out."

"Where are you headed?" Scorch asks.

"Min and I are going to rent a hotel room," Babe says. This is news to me. "I realized last night that we need more room to work."

"You could use my office," Scorch offers, surprising us both. "I don't use it much. I can do all my work out of the office at the garage."

Babe frowns at him.

"Seriously. You should stay here so that the guys you're after don't realize you're in town. Plus, that will give you access to Mode, Sammy, and anyone else you might need."

Babe glances at me and I shrug. Scorch has a point. The club makes a great hiding place in case Jordan has anyone watching for us.

"Doesn't Jordan know about the Demon Dawgs?" I ask.

Babe nods. "He does, but he may not realize how closely our clubs work together. We're still better staying here than we would be in a hotel. Safer, too."

"Why don't I show you my office and then you can decide," Scorch offers as he stands.