Page 6 of Ride with Zane
“Yeah, Di,” I say looking out of the window down to the dance floor where she's enjoying the song. “We need a few more bouncers,” I try to get a grip and focus my brain on work.
She sighs while sitting on a stool. “Can't Blue or Brick take care of it?”
“You know why I’m asking you.”
She lights a cigarette. “It sucks being your friend, you know?”
“You love me.” I chuckle, taking place behind my desk.
“You’re family, Rock.” she sighs. “I see it more like a man's task though.”
I look up at her, I know she wants to be more involved in our business, but I also know once you’re in you can’t get away and I’m not sure she has realized it. She’s great at keeping an eye on our Clubhouse and taking at bay my brothers. “Di, I know you want to go for the cargo, but I can’t involve you.” I just want to keep you safe. I’ve buried way too many brothers and family that I want, for once, to relax.
“No one fucks with The Black Panthers; the question is from who do you want to keep me safe?” She clips in an angry voice. “You know it’s bullshit. You’re scared that if I’d end up with a bullet in my head, I’ll come hunting you.”
“No,” I slam my hands on the desk, startling her. “you’re not following my orders and have a say on everything, Di. You have the patches because of Nathan but you’re family and I’ll never put you in danger, got it?” Her eyes widen in surprise. I never got too serious with her but in the last two months she became a pain, and God knows how much I care for her. “You want to get more involved? Good. The Black Panthers’ shadow business is not for you, which means you can either choose to stay in the charter or run one of our businesses outside. Your choice.”
Denise is one of the best I have in my club and takes no shit from anyone. The problem is she can’t shut her mouth.
“Can I pick one?” Her eyes sparkle.
I get up feeling the urge to scan the club. “I thought I was pretty clear.”
“Finney’s.” She murmurs. “Can I?”
“I was hoping you would but you won’t move out of the neighborhood and you’ll get paired with Mason and Fox.” Finney’s is a dinner where she and Nathan met. That place was my wedding gift for them but after Nathan’s death I couldn’t ask her to keep an eye on it. She wasn’t ready. Until now. Which also means less work for me.
Spotting the Princess having fun with her friends somehow makes me calm a little more and I go sit back in my chair.
She smiles, tilting her head to the side looking at me. “Are you sure you're okay?” She teases me. “However, J told me we have a birthday party booked tonight.”
“Yeah, I've heard about it.” I sigh, peering at some paperwork I suddenly find interesting.
Getting closer, Denise bends the papers with a finger. “She's cute, isn't she?”
“Di, say whatever you wanna tell me, I have to work.”
“Uh-oh, someone is having an attitude.”
I lift my head cocking a brow at her. “Could you bring some roses.”
She's trying so hard not to laugh but gives in. “On it, Prez.”
Eventually I manage to focus on my work and after a meeting with some new suppliers, I turn to check my security monitors. Seeing everything is going smoothly relaxes me, until my gaze falls on the last frame. I get out of my office and head downstairs at lightning speed. I stop on the last few steps while I hear her murmuring something.
“Why the hell did he come here?” She nervously paces back and forth.
“Did you get lost, Princess?” I ask, making her startle.
She comes to a halt before peering at the end of the hallway. “I was looking for the back door.”
Leaning against the wall, I'm waiting for her to look at me. “You wanna leave before celebrating your birthday, Princess?”
“Stop calling me, Princess.” She snaps in exasperation.
I tense. Something happened. It takes a glance to see something is off. “Why are you quitting your own party? Someone was mean to you?”
“No,” she peers at the floor, and I lift her chin to meet my eyes. They glaze up but still I can see she’s fighting it. “it's just…” she stops when the door opens.