Page 51 of Elling & Jackie

He inhaled deeply, easing the tightness in his chest. Being privy to a family conversation seemed wrong, but he was here to find out as much as he could about the agent and Brikken.

His gut cramped. He silently closed the door. Seeing Jacqueline with her family only pounded in the fact that he had no idea what it was like to have relationships with someone with the same blood running through their veins.

And, the whole time he listened to her talking to the others, he wanted to fuck her again. That as soon as they were gone, she was her own woman. That he could push the fact that she was a Stanton and came from a big family out of his mind.

They came from two different motorcycle clubs.

What he wanted was forbidden.

It was impossible to put out the fire he'd started with her. Slag had harassed Brikken for the better good of the club. To turn his back would only get him killed.

The phone rang in his room. He stiffened, staring in the direction of the couch. If the club needed him, they'd call on his cell.

He turned on the lamp. The phone kept ringing.

Picking up the receiver, he looked at it and then put it to his ear. "Ja?"

"It's me." A lengthy pause came over the phone. "Jackie."

"How'd you know how to call me?"

"My laptop. I can log into the hotel's program from my room in case there's a question or emergency when I'm not working. That's how I got the number for your room phone," she said.

He looked at the door and sat down. He wasn't too shabby around computers himself, and he found himself curious to know what she could do. Could she hack into private records? Gain access to unlisted phone numbers?

"Why are you calling me?" he asked, stretching his legs out.

"I don't want you to hurt my family," she blurted. "My sister has nothing to do with club business, and family members bring her down to spend time with me."

"I'm not here because of your family."

"I swear, if I find out differently, I'll—"

"Jacqueline." He let his head fall back on the couch. "Calm down."

"Don't tell me to calm down."

He grinned to the empty room. She sure got riled easily.

"So, do we understand each other? You can stay at the hotel, but my family is off limits."

"Ja."

"What exactly does that mean?"

"Yes."

"Okay, then." She paused. "Good night."

"Good—"

She hung up on him. He put the phone back and took a few minutes to enjoy the conversation she'd given him. She had no idea being included in her night pleased him.

Pushing to his feet, he took up his usual position on the chair and cracked open the door again. Like all the other times, he closed his eyes and forced himself to listen to the silence.

Any change, he'd be alert. Sleeping in a clubhouse had trained him to rest while on guard. He could sleep in his own bed tomorrow when Agent Campbell returned to the clubhouse.