Page 30 of Harboring Shantae
There was something seriously wrong with the fucker. If there was one person on their team, besides himself, that Panther was sure would never settle down, it was Ray. Not after Trista liked to go into detail describing all the women who frequently stumbled out of Ray's house.
"I'm going to stop you right there. I don't want to hear about your sexual exploits any more than I want to hear Trista telling me about her and Falcon's sex life."
Damn, he was surrounded by nothing but horny assholes. It was no wonder his mind was in the gutter with Shantae. His teammates were rubbing off on him.
"One last thing before I switch the subject back to the reason I'm here. Maybe you would be less grumpy if you actually got some on the regular. I mean, everyone else is and just look how happy they are."
Don't engage. Don't engage.
"Oh, you mean like Falcon and Wes?"
It would appear his mouth didn't get the fucking memo.
"They don't count. It's in their DNA to be grumpy. No amount of sex is going to fix that and I can assure you both Trista and Jennie are actively trying to change that on the regular. Those two stand no chance."
Panther was pretty sure he just threw up a little in his mouth. That was more information than he wanted to know about his boss and team leader.
"It's scary you know that, so can we change the subject now? I'm sorry I even said anything."
"Sure thing. Detective Bronson boarded a plane back to Washington, D.C., shortly after he left. He was set to arrive just before I came over. It's no secret that his chief is buddies with the senator. In fact, they play golf together every other Sunday at the country club they both belong to."
Why did the rich assholes always play golf? It was a cliché. There had to be better things to do with one's time.
"And what about the ex-fiancé? He can't be happy that the deal he made with Shantae's father is no longer going through."
"And that's where things get tricky. Zion Harris hasn't been seen much since his last run-in with the cops. My guess is he is lying low while everything blows over despite his father throwing money at the situation. Mr. Harris, the father, is also part of the same golf group as the senator and chief of police."
Like a lamb to the slaughter. Shantae didn't stand a chance. Most likely, the arranged marriage her father tried to get her into was established during a round of golf.
"I want eyes on him as soon as possible. Detective Bronson had no problem threatening Shantae. Maybe not him directly, but he implied it. They'll be sending someone after her."
"Wes has a few contacts in Washington, D.C., he's willing to tap. Jaxson mentioned he and the new company he works for can also help if needed. They might be a better option because his team is practically a ghost."
Kinda like his team was until they took down King. Now that they were back and operating in the States, people knew more about them. He wasn't particularly a fan. It put a target on their backs, and the backs of those they loved.
Another reason to keep Shantae at arm's length.
"Let Jaxson know I appreciate any help they're willing to give. I don't want to underestimate the senator or this Zion. If he's even half as bad as some of the allegations we've seen, then I don't want him anywhere near Shantae."
"We have all eyes on this. No one is going to let him anywhere near Shantae. The women are already planning to pull her into their web. It will only be a matter of days before she's fully initiated and we all know they can handle themselves. Sometimes I think they are scarier than both teams combined."
Panther had to agree, but he would never say that out loud. If Trista caught even a whiff of how he felt, she would never let him live it down. She was the reason all the wives were so close. She made it her life mission to have a girl gang so strong that the men couldn't do anything but go along for the ride.
Ray said his goodbyes and slipped out the door. Now that Panther didn't have work to distract him, it left his mind to once again wander to his current houseguest. Things between him and Shantae had improved after their grocery store run. They had enjoyed a nice dinner before she retired to her room to read one of the few books they had managed to pick up at the store.
Shantae mentioned she preferred an e-reader, so after she had gone up to her room, he had researched them and ordered her one. She would likely throw a fit at first about not purchasing it on her own, but he would consider it a belated wedding gift. Or maybe a peace offering.
He wanted this to work. Panther didn't want the friendship they had formed to be destroyed because of the marriage.
Walking up the stairs, he was careful to avoid the squeaky step. If Shantae was sleeping, he didn't want to disturb her. At the top of the landing, he looked down the hallway to where her room was located. He purposely gave her the room at the complete opposite end of his. The last thing he wanted was temptation. Having her next door to him would've been the worst possible scenario.
When he saw that her door was open and the light still on, his feet moved in that direction without conscious thought. He tried to tell himself it was just to check on her and make sure she hadn't fallen asleep reading or something but he knew the truth. He just liked seeing her.
Panther found her in bed, a book in her hand and blankets wrapped all around her. She looked so damn peaceful that he didn't want to disturb her. His intention was to slip back down the hall, but before he could fully turn around, her head was whipping up and those gorgeous green eyes were laser-focused on his.
"Did Ray have anything good to say?"
He didn't particularly like hanging out in the doorway like a creeper but the only furniture in the room to sit on was the bed. He thought back to how good it felt sitting next to her earlier in the day. Too good. But unlike earlier, Shantae was huddled on one side of the bed rather than starfishing the whole thing. Confident that there was enough distance that he wouldn't feel her heat, he moved to the opposite side of the bed and sat down.