Balance (The Chicago Defiance MC Book 6) Read online

  The corner of her lips turn up. “Settle down there, cowboy. No. I didn’t mean it like that. All I meant was instead of going over my lines in my downtime…” She leaves it open tossing her hair over her shoulder.

  I sit back in the seat as it registers. “You’re spending it getting to know me?”

  She raises one brow. “Feeling special yet?”

  Cocking my head, I exhale. “So, Neve, tell me, what’s your stance on nerds?”

  Her face lights up while her whole body shakes with amusement. “On nerds? What a random question. You’re so strange. Nothing like what I thought bikers should be.”

  I turn to stare at her, my eyes narrowing, taking on a more serious tone as she stops laughing, her breath catching in her throat halting her hysterics. She swallows a lump in her throat while looking at me, her thighs shifting slightly with the tension. Her bottom lip is drawn in by her teeth as she peers at me through her long, thick lashes. She’s sexy as fuck, but right now I want to show her I’m no joke. I might be a nice guy, but I have a hard side too. “You didn’t answer my question,” I state.

  Her eyes don’t leave mine as she clears her throat, not breaking the intensity between us. “Nerds?” Her voice is almost a breathy whisper.

  “Yeah,” I reply.

  Her lips slowly turn upward lighting the autumn day with the glow of a thousand suns. She’s damn radiant, and I’m in fucking trouble.

  “I think if a nerd has an edge to him, like you do, Ace, then it’s a good thing.”

  Tilting my head slightly, I inhale sharply. “You think I’m the nerd we’re talking about here?”

  She giggles. “Yeah, Ace, Marvel are the only movies you watch, so you’re definitely the nerd in this equation. But it’s okay, you certainly don’t look like one, so I can live with it.”

  “Live with it? Hold up! You’re moving a little fast, aren’t you there, Starlet? We’ve only just met, we’re not moving in with each other?”

  Her eyes widen. “Shit! No. Ace, that’s not what I—”

  I let out a laugh. “Relax, I’m pulling your chain.”

  Her entire body sags as her hand moves to her chest while she lets out a relieved exhale, but a twinkle lights her eyes. “You’re my kind of guy, Ace. Completely full of shit... I like it.”

  Raising my brow, I narrow my eyes. “Ahh… thanks?” I question not sure if it’s a compliment or not.

  Her hand comes out gripping onto my forearm. Neve’s face exudes happiness. It’s so sincerely kind with just a hint of vulnerability that a rush of warmth floods my soul.

  “Don’t worry, I meant it as a good thing. I think we’re gonna get along great, you and me.”

  “Yeah, I think so, too.”

  She sits against the back of the sofa relaxing with a sigh. “So, if you can tell me… what’s your job at the club?”

  I glance at her tilting my head. “Tech support and information security.”

  Smile lines appear on her beautiful face as she tries to hold it in. “Yeah… nerd.”

  Rolling my eyes, I exhale. “How did you get into acting?”

  Her eyes narrow as she assesses me. “You really don’t know anything about me?”

  I shrug. “Sorry, Starlet. Maybe you’re not as famous as you think?”

  Her bubbly demeanor shows she’s enjoying our time together. “You really are something, you know that? It’s nice to have someone talk to me like a normal person and not because they want something from the famous Neve De Villa. It’s frustrating to know people only talk to you because of a name, especially when it’s not even your real name.”

  I sit taller. “It’s not?”

  She shrugs. “Just like Ace is your ‘stage name,’ I have mine.”

  “It’s not actually a stage name, it’s a road name—”

  “Not the point, Ace—”

  “Yep. Got it. My bad.” I chuckle.

  She lets out a huff while peering at me sideways. “Maybe one day I will tell you my real name.”

  The problem now is she’s laid out a challenge for me and my mad tech skills. It’s like my fingers are aching to get to the keyboard to hack into the dark web to search up a storm on all I can about Neve De Villa to find out who she really is.

  But that would be betraying her trust.

  As much as I want to know her, know her name, and know who she really is, the only searching I will be doing on Neve is about her movies, and even then, I might not do that. I like her as she is, as the woman I know now, not the woman I will see in the tabloids or in the movies. I like this Neve. I don’t want to spoil this. So, I make a vow here and now to myself not to research anything about her. As much as it will kill me and goes against every-fucking-thing I stand for, I won’t look into her.

  She values her privacy—I will give it to her.

  “And one day I’ll tell you mine.”

  Suddenly a tall, stocky man walks into the trailer on his cell. Even I have to admit women would find him attractive. He’s wearing a button-down white shirt and black slacks as he steps in completely oblivious to the situation.

  “I don’t care, Cam, just fix it and get back to me!” He ends the call with a heavy huff then turns to us, but as he notices me with Neve, his eyes bug out of his head like he’s about to choke on thin air. “Who the fuck are you? Do I need to call security? Security,” he yells the last word almost hanging out of the trailer as Neve stands abruptly and rushes over to the idiot.

  “Julian, stop!”

  Julian turns around raising his manicured brow as he stares at Neve, then at me, then back at Neve. “Well then… what the fuck is a biker doing in here, Neve?”

  I’m not going to let Neve fight my battles. It makes me appear fucking weak. “Name’s Ace. I might be a biker, but I’m not here to defend myself to the likes of you or anyone for that matter. If Neve wants to keep me in her company, then I’m more than happy to come along for the ride. God knows she’s a breath of fresh air.” She glances back at me gnawing on her bottom lip. “But what I don’t need is a dick like you coming in judging me because of the cut I wear without knowing who I am or what I stand for… yeah, that shit ain’t gonna fly with me. I don’t know who you are. I don’t particularly care either but don’t give me shit or we will have a problem.”

  Julian puffs out his chest like he’s going to say something, but Neve places her hand on his chest. He peers at her in a way I definitely understand.

  He adores her.

  I get it now.

  He’s protective.

  Maybe the douche isn’t a mega douche after all.

  “I think we all need to take a breath. Julian, Ace is from the club Cindi comes from, he’s practically her best friend.”

  My posture is stiff as the realization hits Julian. “Oh, I see.”

  “How else would I’ve been allowed to get onto the set?” I ask.

  He lets out a heavy sigh followed by folding his arms over his chest. “Fine, whatever. Just don’t make a habit of coming here unannounced. I’ll have Cindi give you my number, then whenever you’re coming on set, you will pre-arrange it with me, so we can have the proper protocols in place.”

  “Julian!” Neve berates.

  “What the fuck does that mean?” I ask.

  “Nothing, he’s being a dick. You’re welcome here any time, Ace.” Neve glares at Julian. If looks could kill, Julian would be in deep shit right now.

  “Fine! Anyway, darling, you’re needed back on set, that’s why I’m here. C’mon, get a move on, can’t keep hair and makeup waiting.” Julian glances at me with a sneer, his perfectly styled goatee framing his square chin makes him appear like a male model as he storms out of the trailer.

  I stand and walk over to Neve, reaching for her hand, I take it in mine. That energy surges through our fingers again making my heart race as she stares into my eyes.

  “I’m so glad I met you today,” she almost whispers.

  “Me, too,” I reply.

  “Neve!
” Julian yells from outside.

  “Who is he?” I ask.

  “My agent-come-manager-come-organizer of my daily existence. I’d be lost without him really. He means well despite all that bravado he has going on.”

  I run my thumb up and down her hand. “I get it. He wants the best for you. It’s a good thing to have an organizer of your daily existence.”

  She tilts her head in agreement. “Will I see you again?”

  I’d like to answer that with a fuck yeah, but I think some sense is more respectable right now. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

  She tilts her head assessing me. “You honestly don’t know who I am or what movies I’ve done?”

  Shrugging, I sigh. “No, honestly, Neve, I have no idea who you are. But, I’d like to.”

  Her lips lift upward causing one dimple to crinkle in her left cheek. Her perfectly aligned teeth light up the room in a warm glow of happiness.

  She’s fucking perfect.

  “I better go. I’ll see you next time,” she offers as we walk out of her trailer.

  “Count on it.”

  Julian’s standing at the end of her trailer, his arms are folded while he taps his foot with impatience. I glance at him then back to Neve. “You better go, you don’t want Julian stroking out on you.”

  She smiles. “See you soon.”

  Then just like that, she whisks herself away.

  Julian’s hand on her lower back makes my stomach clench, and my eyebrows draw together hard as I watch her walk off. Which is odd considering nothing’s happened. All we’ve done is exchange some witty retorts, and I guess I can’t deny there’s a bit of chemistry.

  Nevertheless, I dismiss it and stroll back to Cindi’s trailer, open the door, and walk in to see Noah and Cindi leaning in close together, chuckling about something. When I step in, their eyes glance at me casually, but then they go back to whatever it is they’re doing. I lean against the kitchenette bench opposite them letting out a heavy sigh.

  They both glance up at me as Cindi smirks. “What’s this all about?” she asks while waving her finger up and down pointing at me.

  I shrug. “What? If you’re talking about Neve, she’s a cool chick.”

  Noah’s face alights. “A-huh! You’re smitten already—”

  “Nooo. No. No. Nu-uh. You can’t be fucking around with this, Ace. It’s my career on the line here,” Cindi protests.

  “It’s not you I’m fucking around with, Cindi. And who says I’m going to fuck Neve around?”

  “Nu-uh. Nope. There’s enough strange shit going on around here without you being here all the time making googly eyes at my co-star and making it all weird and shit for me.”

  I scoff out a laugh. “First of all, I do not, nor have I ever, made googly eyes. Secondly, what the hell do you mean strange shit?”

  Cindi shrugs. “It’s probably nothing.”

  “Cindi!”

  “Ah fine! Because this is a Mafia movie, they have a Mafia advisor on set, Danny Esposito. He’s throwing his weight around telling everyone how a Mafia story should be told. But he’s real weird, Ace. I get a bad vibe from him.”

  I glance at Noah who looks as tense as me. “Shit.”

  Cindi leans forward, her hands on her hips. “What? Have you heard of him?”

  “No, but we need to keep a closer eye on you, especially considering you’re getting vibes about him.”

  Cindi cocks her brow, assessing my mood shift. “Yeah, it’s all a bit strange.”

  “Think about it… an advisor who knows so much about the Mafia may possibly have an actual affiliation with the Mafia.”

  She sinks into her seat. “Oh… because Danny Esposito is somehow possibly linked to a Mafia family, you think?”

  I move forward resting my hands on the small table. “Correct. I have to make sure you’re safe or Torque will have my balls in a vise. With your ties and connections to Defiance, if a Mafioso links you to us, you could be in danger.”

  My main priority is Cindi. I can’t have anything left untidy, not for Cindi and certainly not for the club.

  I need to be around more often.

  Maybe this is a blessing in disguise.

  Or maybe some shit will go down and start a whole new war for the club.

  I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

  Right now, I need to call Torque and fill him in about what’s going on. So I pull out my cell and dial speed dial one. It rings a couple of times.

  “Yes.”

  “Pres.”

  “Ace, how’s things with Cindi?”

  I exhale. “Here’s the thing—”

  “That’s never a good way to start a conversation.”

  I tense up. “Yeah, with good reason. The production team has an advisor on set.”

  He snorts out a laugh. “So?”

  “A Mafia advisor. Torque, he’s throwing his weight around, acting shady according to Cindi.”

  Torque groans audibly. “What’s your plan?”

  “I want to spend more time here with Cindi, keep a watchful eye on him.”

  “Done. I need you to come in and give me a full briefing, though. We need to spend some time sorting out the loose ends on this roid debacle, then you’re free to take care of matters there.”

  I glance at Cindi, nodding my head. “Great. Thanks, pres. I’ll be in soon.”

  “Tell Cindi to watch herself in the meantime. We don’t need any shit following her right now.”

  “Got it.” I end the call looking right at Cindi as she listens to my every word.

  “You gotta hang tight. I have to head back to the club for a bit to deal with some shit, but then I’ll be back to watch over you. You have my word.”

  She sinks in on herself. “You think this is really that important?”

  I tilt my head. “I don’t know, Cindi, I just don’t know. But one thing I do know is you need to be safe and have club protection in the meantime.”

  NEVE

  The Next Night

  As I fumble about in my trailer getting ready for my next intense scene, I wait for my male co-star, Carter, my onscreen husband, to arrive. Luckily, he’s a nice guy and not one of those snobby bastards who thinks they can treat the leading lady like they owe them everything. Together, using both our names should make this Mafia thriller a success. Teamed with the new blood of Cindi, who as it turns out, is an awesome actress, it will draw in the box-office dollars.

  I know it will.

  But that’s not what’s on my mind. A certain biker with a dark blond man bun, electric blue eyes, muscles—but not so big he looks like a gym junkie—is front and center right now. The scruff on his face is not enough to be a beard, but there’s just enough stubble to give him a rough vibe making him so fucking sexy I have trouble holding myself together. Yeah, Ace is fucking hot, but he’s a biker, and I’m not oblivious to the fact that it comes with problems. I have a reputation to uphold, and associating with a biker is not a good look for my image.

  But honestly, it’s refreshing for a man not to know who I am. Plus, he’s so lovely in a strong and masculine way. He’s damn perfect. Looks. Charisma. Charm. Not to mention a little bit of rebel thrown in for good measure. Even if he is the tech nerd of the club, it doesn’t mean he’s not a bad boy.

  I have to admit the cut is a turn-on in itself. The idea I could ever be attracted to a man like him has never dawned on me. But I guess that’s why they say opposites attract. He’s the tough, nerdy biker, where I’m the epitome of a Hollywood A-lister. In no way should our paths have crossed or should we have ever met, but thanks to Cindi we did, and now Ace seems to be the only thing occupying my mind when I’m not on set.

  Footsteps leading inside my trailer alert me, so I glance up to see Carter stepping in wearing his telltale suit for our scene. His dark eyes are framed by his olive skin, the five o’clock shadow on his chin is just the right length to give him the edgy vibe he needs to pull off the Don of a Mafia family. Of course, his attire is al
l for our film, but nevertheless, he sure looks the part.

  “Neve, we’re being called,” he announces as he views me up and down. Today’s dress is another tiny, figure-hugging number. I guess they need the Don’s wife to be sexy as hell, almost slutty.

  Smiling at Carter, I turn around to find my cell. “You go on ahead, I’ll be out in a moment.”

  “Okay, bella, see you over there.” He leaves as I move around grabbing my cell plus a couple of other things I need while I’m working on set. I tread the steps carefully in my sky-high Louis Vuitton then round my trailer to make my way over to the water plant set. As I do, I notice Danny, the script advisor, talking with another man I haven’t seen before in the shadows.

  This is a night shoot, so it’s a little difficult to see as I slide in against my trailer to try and keep myself hidden so Danny can’t see me. His oily brown hair has length to it but not like Ace’s, just enough for it to comb back and sit with buoyancy at the top of his neck. He’s good looking, with the same kind of five o’clock shadow that Carter has, making him seem a little tougher. It’s no wonder he’s an advisor, he always has that gleam in his eyes. It’s haunted. He looks like a man with an agenda. I don’t trust him. At all. So, him standing in the shadows with a man I don’t know rings alarm bells for me. The man he’s standing with wears a dark suit, and they’re whispering among themselves. His hair’s well-groomed, and he has the persona of a proud man.

  Whatever Danny and the stranger are up to, it’s shady, I can tell even from this distance. I want to see if I can sneak closer so I can actually hear what they’re saying. The problem is I don’t know how to without raising suspicion.

  Suddenly, Cindi rushes around the back of the trailer completely oblivious to me standing here. “Oh, there you are. We’ve been looking everywhere for you. C’mon we’ve gotta get to the set,” she states, grabbing my hand, dragging me off.

  I don’t have time to glance back to see if Danny and the man spotted us because Cindi’s on a mission. “So, I spoke to the catering lady, she said she’d put extra chicken in our salad tonight,” she gushes out like she’s super proud of her efforts.