Chapter 31

"This is going to kick some ass," Zeke said as he looked at the new set up in Rough ‘n Ready. "I knew some of the preliminaries, but Conner didn't tell me you had it installed."

Micah nodded. "He did an excellent job with it. We needed something to keep up with the demand of a growing business. And, well, it sure is pretty."

Zeke didn't take his attention from the multitude of screens in front of him. "We really appreciate you moving your business to us."

"We like to keep it in the family so to speak. At the time, McMasters was the best we could afford. Now that we've grown and we sort of count y'all as family, we wanted a change. With Conner trying to gain some business in this part of the world, we figured it would help. We get a lot of businessmen who buy daily or weekly passes."

"I think that is bloody brilliant, if you ask me," Rory said. "Especially in a locale like this. People constantly coming in for a small amount of time."

"It's been a virtual cash cow for us," Evan said.

Zeke nodded and started playing with some of the cameras. "I can imagine."

"What is that asshole doing here tonight?" Evan asked, stepping up behind him.

At first, Zeke wasn't sure just who he was talking about until he looked at the screen that had caught his attention. He watched as some fucker leaned closer to Maura, smiled as he said something. Maura threw her head back and laughed. Zeke couldn't hear her, but it didn't matter. What the bloody hell did that bastard think he was doing?

"Who the fuck is that?" Zeke asked.

Rory came up from behind him and looked over his shoulder. "I think if he touches her, I might have to break his hand."

"That's one of our members, Eli St. John. I didn't know he was back on the island."

"Well, he can just get the bloody hell off the island," Zeke said as he strode to the door. He knew they were following him but he paid no heed. Didn't Maura understand that she wasn't supposed to be flirting with another Dom? He wasn't even in the fucking life and he understood it.

He ignored the strange looks as he pushed through the crowd to where the women were sitting. Maura looked at him and grinned, but it soon dimmed when she saw his expression. The jackass who had been flirting with her looked over his shoulder and the fucker was stupid enough to smile.

"Ah, just as I expected. Gentlemen," he said, standing. He heard the slight Aussie accent, and he saw the warning in his gaze. This was not just some normal client. This was a guy who had seen some action. He looked past Zeke. "Chambers. Ross. I was just talking to the ladies here."

"When are you not," Dee said struggling to stand up. He moved to help her, but Micah stepped in.

"I allow for a lot, but touching my woman is not one of them."

St. John held up his hands. "No problem, just wanted to help her. Promise."

"Eli, this is O'Brian and McAllister. Guys, this is Eli St. John. He runs the Kaheaku Ranch on the Big Island," Evan said. "Sort of surprised to see you here. Aren't you usually busy this time of year? I thought you had your annual pageant for the guests."

The man's smile dimmed a bit. "Big Joe is here at Queen's. I hopped over to see him. And now that I've done my duty, I think I'm off to hunt for another fair submissive. Good night, ladies. It was a pleasure to see you again, Ms. Dillon."

With that he walked away. Zeke and Rory never had a chance to say a damned thing to him.

"He's so sad," May said, as she stood.

"Sad?" Zeke asked.

"Yes. I have a feeling Joe Kaheaku is dying. They go a long way back."

"And before you think about following him or giving him any problems, O'Brian just know that he's ex SASR," Ross said.

Maura gave them a heated look. "You will not give him any problems."

Rory snorted, his gaze still on the cowboy. "I think I do what I want."

"I think you'll be sleeping alone if you do."

He turned and looked at her. "Is that so?"

She ignored him and looked at Chambers and Ross. "SASR. So, Australian Special Forces. And I am assuming he was probably one of the most lethal of them all."

Evan shrugged. "Not sure. I do know that Joe was a Seal, so that's probably how they met and they run a tight ship over there at the ranch."

She looked at both of them. "Do not cause a scene. He was telling me about things at the ranch and even invited all three of us to visit."

Zeke watch the bastard walk through the crowd to find himself another sub for the evening. It took all of his control not to follow after the bastard.

"I think May and Dee owe you two men an apology," Ross said.

Both Zeke and Rory turned around and stared at the two women.

"Hey, I had nothing to do with it. You know how May can get."

Evan slipped his arm around May's waist and leaned down and said something to her that none of them could hear. Her entire face flushed in embarrassment.

"I apologize."

"I really don't know what everyone is upset over," Maura said as she slipped out of the booth. She stepped in front of them and leaned in closer. "Unless you want some kind of incident to happen."

"Yeah, like I kick him so hard in the ballocks that he has a permanent change to his voice," Zeke said.

Rory glanced at him. "Actually, I have to say that kind of makes me hot, Zee."

She rolled her eyes. "Go ahead. Then you can deal with Conner and explain to him why you want to beat the hell out of a man for no good reason. Or are you ready to tell him what's going on?"

The challenge she gave them was enough to make him cool down.

"And you, Zeke, you got pissed at him two years ago for hitting on me. Get over it."

She turned and Rory grabbed her arm. "Where are you going?"

She shook her hair back. "If you must know. I drank a lot of water." When Rory held onto her arm she rolled her eyes. "I have to pee."

She untangled herself from his grasp and walked off. Zeke knew that it was almost too much for Rory to take. It was a bit of a challenge in front of people at the club, but most of them weren't paying attention.

Dee slipped around them. "Being pregnant, I can understand her predicament."

She hurried after Maura and May started to, but turned to face both men. She settled her hands on her hips. "Now, gentlemen, I see the way you look at her. Don't blame her. I set it up and Eli is always willing to help me. Just remember how it felt to watch her with another man other than you two when the week is up."

With that she followed after the other two women. Chambers clapped him on the shoulder. "Sorry, there, O'Brian. Our women do like to meddle. Just make sure that you don't blame Maura too much."

"Yeah, and knowing Evan, May won't be trying that particular line of matchmaking after tonight,"

Chambers chuckled as he crossed his arms over his chest and watched his wife disappear into the bathroom. "And I am going to enjoy that little lesson in particular."