part0035

She cuts me off with another kiss. “Don’t. I understand. Go.” I smile and hurry out. My helicopter waits on the roof to take me to a destination I can’t disclose to her. The club is meeting to discuss all that happened over the last month, including what to do with Lila. It is not a meeting I dare miss. In the two weeks since the night where Claire and Lila were nearly abducted, and I was almost shot, things have been a whirlwind. Not only must I catch up on business dealings, which I have been too distracted to handle personally, but there is Claire. After processing my love for her the night by the pool, I will not let her out of my sight for long. This means shuttling back and forth between Chicago and Los Angeles. I’ve even met her brother and mom. Meeting a woman’s family was a first for me. I think they are still leery of my intentions, which is fair considering my reputation. Time will show them my love for Claire is quite real.

Long talks and nights wrapped in each other's arms beside my pool, watching the sunset, have led us to come to some conclusions. For one, we love each other, but also barely know each other. Even though it has been hard, very hard, we slowed things down, and I am romancing her as I should have from the beginning. I am already hoping for more, even marriage, but Claire can take all the time she needs.

For another, Claire agreed to move to Los Angeles and stay with me, in her own suite of rooms for now. No strings attached. We visit each other’s beds often, but again, I am patient. She is worth it. I am convinced there is no one else for me and when I see the members of the club later, especially Zena, I look forward to telling them so. Their demand that I settle down and keep out of the spotlight is easy to meet. As my helicopter whisks me away, I wonder if it was not all somehow destined.

As I arrive at the old mining town miles outside of the city, I consider this one of the best hiding places we have at our disposal. Inside the retired mine itself is an elaborate bunker Chloe constructed at the recent turn in world political events. “Just in case,” she told us, and none of us could blame her. The place is more like a retreat, and the day would be a good one if not for such dire topics to discuss. Georgia DeLane has not been apprehended. In fact, there have been no sightings or word of her location, even though we are all using our resources to find the woman. Her layers of protection thanks to the underworld where she resides are formidable, and frankly, scary knowing we are all prone to be a target especially.

Going through three rounds of security, which I worry at some point is going to be a body cavity search Chloe is being so thorough, I finally get to the meeting to find the entire group is in attendance. All twelve members. My eyes find Lila, and she is pale, no doubt afraid she is about to be expelled from a group she helped found and loves with all her heart. Going to sit beside her, I take her hand and give it a squeeze of support. I am on her side, and she smiles at me gratefully.

“Glad you could make it,” Chloe starts, a touch of sarcasm in her voice. It's typical, so all I do is smile.

“I’ve been distracted lately. Lots of business to catch up on.” A few in the group chuckle. My love life is no secret among the members.

Zena clears her throat. “Let’s start with that order of business then,” she says. “Seems you lived up to your debt. From all reports, Claire is quite charming. Well done.”

I try not to be insulted. For Zena, there is no such thing as love, only arrangements. “She’s amazing,” I answer. “And I love her.” More smiles around the table, including a wry one from Chloe. She's another who doesn't believe in love, but for different reasons. Her past haunts her, and only I know the whole truth about the girl who got away.

“More difficult to discuss though,” Zena continues, drawing my attention back to the meeting, “is Lila.” She turns to the woman, and I feel her grip my hand tighter. “You’ve put everyone at great risk.”

Lila nods, and I see a touch of shine to her eyes. Tears, but I know she will never let them fall. She may be heart broken over what is happening, but she is still the classiest most put-together woman I have ever known. “I know,” she answers. “And I am willing to accept whatever the group decides.”

“Then, we will vote. Everyone has been briefed. Your affair with Georgia DeLane and disclosing information about the existence of our club.”

“But not who is in it,” I jump in. “Even at the end, with a gun in her face, she would not betray any of us.” There is a hush in the room as everyone digests this information.

Finally, Zena nods. “We will vote,” she says. “Right now and be done with this business, so we can focus on what to do with our new problem.” I take a breath and hold it. This is it, and I will be as heartsick as Lila if she is asked to leave us. “A show of hands. Who feels Lila should be expelled from the group for her indiscretions?”

Four people raise their hands, including Zena and Val. I make eye contact with Chloe, who shrugs and keeps her hand down. Exhaling with relief, I put an arm around Lila to give her a hug. She can stay. “But may I suggest probation of some sort?” Yuki suggests, even though she did not vote against her. “Perhaps no lovers for a year? To be safe?”

Lila blushes at the comment but also nods. “I will agree to it.”

“Then it is settled,” Zena says with a small sigh that I recognize is relief. Even voting against Lila, they are friends, and Zena would be sad to see her go. Only Val looks genuinely irritated by the outcome, and I make a mental note to keep it in mind while Zena continues. “Now, let's move on to our last topic. This one will take longer to fix, I'm afraid.”

A murmur goes around the room. “If at all,” Kris adds under her breath and this scares me. If the technical genius in the group is unsure, we are all probably screwed.

Zena nods at Kris’ statement. “Indeed, we have a dangerous adversary,” she says. “Georgia DeLane.”