Page 14 of Georgie (Sons of Hell MC #10)

Josie

“We need to talk, babe,” the con artist said, stepping into the elevator just before the damn doors closed and it started its assent again. I wasn’t in the mood for his games. All I wanted was a hot shower to wash the embarrassment of the last twenty minutes off my body and a clean pair of panties.

I wasn’t asking for too much.

Well, at least I didn’t think I was.

“I’m busy.”

“Aw, come on, babe,” Freddie whined. “Don’t be that way.”

“Go away, Freddie,” I huffed, ignoring the two-timing con artist, willing the elevator to move faster. The elevator slowed, came to a stop and the doors opened. Moving fast, I stepped into the family apartments when I clearly heard my dad speak.

“Oh, there you are.” My dad smiled as he walked toward me, adjusting his tie. “LeeAnn called. She wants me to help her choose— What the hell is he doing here?” Dad sneered, glaring at the man behind me.

“Came to see my wife.”

“Soon-to-be ex-wife,” I snapped, heading for my room. “Which reminds me. You sign those papers yet?”

“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Josie,” my dad interrupted, pushing the idiot to the side. “Want me to get rid of him? I will. Just say the word and the asshole will disappear.”

I smirked. “As tempting as that is, Dad, I can handle the con artist. Go see LeeAnn.”

My dad didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t challenge me.

“Alright, sweetheart,” he said, quickly kissing my cheek. “Don’t forget, your cousin is arriving later today. He can stay here.”

“Sure, Dad. No problem,” I absently said as I watched Freddie take in the family’s suite of apartments.

I knew what he was seeing, and I didn’t like it.

Bastard didn’t care about anything but money.

Heading for the elevator, Dad stopped next to Freddie and grinned. “I own several guns and know how to use them.”

Freddie just blinked as my dad disappeared into the elevator.

“You can leave too, Freddie,” I firmly said, walking away from the man. “I have nothing to say to you.”

Hot on my heels, the moron refused to take the hint. “Babe, please. Let me explain.”

Rounding on him, I shouted, “Explain what? You are a gigolo. A womanizer. Are we even legally married? How many other unsuspecting women do you have on the side? Any more kids I need to know about?”

“There is only you, babe. I swear!”

Huffing, I spun around and entered my room.

Freddie followed me, his eyes scanning the luxurious surroundings. I could see the cogs turning in his head, calculating the value of the art on the walls and the designer furniture.

It made my skin crawl.

“Get out,” I snapped, turning to face him. “You’ve done enough damage.”

He held up his hands in a placating gesture. “Babe, I know I messed up, but I want to make things right. I’m here to explain everything.”

I narrowed my eyes, suspicious of his motives.

“Explain what? That you married me for my money? That you’ve been sleeping with other women? That my so-called husband is a liar and a cheat?”

“Josie, it’s not like that—” he began, but I cut him off.

“Get out of my room, Freddie. You’ve said enough. I don’t want to hear your excuses or your lies. Just sign the damn papers and leave me alone.”

He took a step towards me, his eyes pleading.

“Please, Josie, just let me—”

Whatever he was about to say was interrupted when we both heard someone clear their throat. Turning, my eyes widened as I spotted my cousin reclining against the doorjamb, cleaning his nails with a large bowie knife, a wicked smile mischievously playing at his lips.

Freddie had the good sense to back up.

If the man had half a brain in his head, he’d run for the hills and never look back.

“Who’s the dud?” My cousin smirked as I heard the elevator ding and then the familiar voice of my current torment shouted, “Josephine!”

Groaning, I closed my eyes when I heard. “Wow! You’re pretty!”

Snapping my eyes open, I saw Cameron looking up at my cousin who was now preening like a peacock.

“Not bad yourself, kid.” My cousin, Jasper DuBois, my son’s namesake, smiled warmly, sheathing his bowie knife to shake Cameron’s hand as George stormed into my room, making a beeline for Freddie. “You can call me Romeo.”

Great. If my room wasn’t crowded enough already.

I was never getting a shower.

Freddie’s face paled as George stormed over to him. Holding up his hands, the scaredy cat quickly said, “I’m not here to cause trouble. I just wanted to talk to Josie!”

My cousin’s eyes darkened, his smile never wavering. “Want some help throwing the trash out?”

George ignored Romeo and grabbed Freddie by the scruff of the neck, forcefully escorting him from my room. Romeo fixed his gaze on Freddie as he tried unsuccessfully to get away from George.

Cameron, oblivious to the tension, beamed up at my cousin. “Romeo? That’s such a cool name! Did you know that in Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, Romeo was the romantic hero?”

“Romeo and Juliet?” My cousin’s voice softened, a hint of curiosity breaking through his tough exterior. “Tell me, kid, do you know how that story ends?”

Cameron’s face lit up with excitement. “Of course! They both die.”

Romeo grimaced. “Well, that was anti-climactic.”

George returned, dusting his hands off and muttering under his breath. “What the hell did he want?”

“To talk,” I said as George walked over to me.

“Too bad. We need to talk,” George firmly said, then turned to Cameron. “Get lost, kid. The adults are talking.”

“Come on, kid.” Romeo grinned. “I need to know more about this Juliet. Is she prettier than me? Can’t have anyone stealing my thunder.”

The second Romeo and Cameron were gone, I snapped.

“I’m not talking to you, George. Go away.”

“Too bad,” the gruff man said, sitting on my bed as I unbuttoned my shirt. “My ex is in town and peddling a kid around, saying it’s mine.”

“Emily has a kid?” I asked, my hands freezing on the buttons of my shirt. “Is she sure it’s yours?”

George ran his hand through his hair, a gesture of frustration and exhaustion. “I don’t know, Josie. I haven’t seen her since I left Florida. But the timing fits, and she’s always had a knack for causing drama. I just wanted to give you a heads-up in case she tries to pull something.”

I sighed, my shoulders slumping as the weight of yet another problem settled on them. “Great, just what I need,” I muttered. “Well, I appreciate you letting me know, George. I’ll keep an eye out for her.”

“And, Josie.” George smirked playfully, his voice softening. “I am really sorry about earlier. Is there any way I can make it up to you?”

“I think you’ve done enough in that department. Right now, I just want a nice shower and to change my clothes.”

“Mind some company?” He stood walking over to me, wrapping his arms around me.

I hesitated, feeling the warmth of his embrace and the comfort it brought, even if I didn’t want to admit it. “George, everything is so complicated right now. Maybe we should just stay friends.”

He let out a deep sigh, pulled back slightly, and searched my eyes for any sign of hope. “If that’s what you want, Josie.”

“It is.”

In that instant, I watched the fire dim in his eyes as he took a step back. “I need to get back to the clinic. If you need me, you know where to find me.”

I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and sadness.

“Thanks for understanding,” I whispered.

With one last look, he turned and left the room, leaving me to my thoughts and a stark sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that I’d just made the biggest mistake of my life.