It was almost difficult walking to the door, knowing who stood behind it. I knew next to nothing about Gideon; he owned a nightclub and was mostly silent, but that was about it. He held his emotions in a tight rein. There was a backstory there somewhere, but I would never know the story if he didn't give it to me willingly.

I opened my door with clammy palms, revealing a rather brooding face attached to a hot "I'll make you scream in the best kind of way" body. He was dressed in a black suit; it seemed like it was what both he and Callan preferred. And I didn't mind that, not even a little bit. I had to stop myself from drooling as I stared at him; he filled out the suit as if it was made for him, which...it probably was.

Before I could say a word, he moved past me and into my small apartment. I hadn't even invited him in. That was rude.

"I thought we were going to the club right away?" I asked while I watched him ignoring my place and turned around to focused on my door instead.

"What are you doing?" I asked when he didn't give me an answer to my first question.

Gideon growled something, but I couldn't make out the words. He tested my lock and scrutinized the deadbolt; I'd gotten that one just after I moved in, for safety reasons, of course. Dad had helped me find a good one, which was probably smart. I knew nothing about deadbolts.

At last, he nodded, seemingly satisfied.

"Come on," he grunted, not even looking at me before he started walking downstairs, leaving me in confusion.

First of all, why the hell was it so important to look at my lock? I'd survived two years with it.

And secondly, what the hell was the matter with him tonight? Sure, he'd been grumpy and hard to read ever since I met him, but this felt different. He wouldn't even look at me. Was he regretting this already, before we even began?

I hurried down after him, locking my door quickly, afraid he would drive off without me if I took too much time.

His car was parked right by the sidewalk; It was a black muscle car, and quite honestly, pretty sexy. I could definitely see him driving this.

Gideon was standing just a little off to the side of the building door when I got outside.

I made a move towards the car, but stopped when I saw he snagged a key from his pocket and started to...what the fuck? Was he locking the door of the apartment complex?

"Ehh..." I started but shut my mouth as soon as he sent me an annoyed look. Maybe I could ask Mateo instead. After all, he was the one who knew the lock had been broken.

I was surprised when Gideon moved ahead and opened the car door for me. Perhaps I shouldn't have been surprised. Even with his dark mood, he could be just as much of a gentleman as Mateo and Callan.

The car seat was surprisingly comfortable, and I let myself relax as Gideon started driving towards the club. He drove fast like the speed limit didn't apply to him.

I was one of the people who got easily scared, of driving, of being in a boat...flying, although I'd never been in a plane. I always overthought what could happen in a scenario–bad things. Like being trapped in my dad's boat while it sank to the bottom. My dad didn't have one of those boats that were open to the elements. He had a marine canvas with windows.

But even with how scared I usually was, there was something about Gideon's driving that just made me feel...safe. He was in complete control.

The car felt cramped with him in it, like he was taking up much more space than he really did. There was this tension about him, edging on dangerous and angry, but I still felt safe. For some reason, I just knew he wouldn't hurt me, not now and not ever. I didn't know why I was so sure about that, especially since I'd just met him. The fact was, I just was.

He stayed quiet, which wasn't shocking. And even though I wanted to get to know him better, I didn't think this was the appropriate time.

What had happened since I last saw him? Was this how he usually was, or was there something more going on?

Unable to keep my eyes off him, I peeked at him through lowered lashes. I didn't think I'd ever get used to being this close to him. He was just so...so...big. Everything about him spoke of power, and not only of the physical kind.

My eyes trailed down his arms and towards the hands, and holy fuck.

I gasped when I saw his knuckles; they were all bruised and bloodied– like seriously bruised, with dried blood from what looked like cuts that had just started to heal.

"What happened?" I demanded, suddenly feeling a protectiveness I should not be feeling. I had to force myself not to reach for his hands, because for one, he was driving, and two, he would most certainly hate that.

Another annoyed look my way–this was the second one in less than thirty minutes–and I swallowed whatever else I had to say or ask.

My heart was beating a mile a minute as I continued to peek at his hands when I thought he wouldn't notice. Those cuts were either from self-defense or something else had happened. The only good thing about the wounds was that I was ninety-nine-point-nine percent sure his bad mood wasn't because of me.

I was curious as hell, but I wasn't one to snoop or find answers to things that didn't concern me. Though, if it had anything to do with me, I had to trust either him or one of the guys would fill me in.

The rest of the trip was spent in silence, which I didn't mind. I needed the time to gather myself before walking into this meeting. I had a lot to talk with them about, and I needed to stop being my usual shy self to get through this all. It wasn't like we were going to talk about the weather. Nope, we were going to discuss my sexual preferences.

Gideon parked the car smoothly in the middle of two others, which I recognized as Callan's and Mateo's.

I just hoped Jennifer wouldn't be working today. I had enough with this meeting to worry about, and I didn't need a snotty girl with an unjustified attitude towards me on top of that.

But, of course, I wasn't that lucky.

Gideon walked in ahead of me, and I could hear Jennifer's sugar-sweet voice greeting him. He ignored her as he held the door open for me. I smiled in thanks, but he just nodded in return.

Jennifer's smile turned upside down as soon as she saw me, and I mentally rolled my eyes. Yeah, I knew a few of these bitches in high school; I just didn't know they continued to be bitches when they grew up.

However, my smile stayed in place as I took out my notebook and placed my coat in her arms. I almost smirked at the surprised look on her face. One thing I also learned about those said bitches? Never let them walk all over you.

Placing my phone in the basket, I followed Gideon down the stairs, through the halls, and into the dungeon, all the while feeling Jennifer's angry stare on my back.

For once, I didn't feel nervous being down here. Mostly because I was more nervous about something else.

Tonight, we would go over the list and negotiate yeses, noes, and maybes. It felt weird but so fucking exciting.