I finished my coffee, which had cooled down pretty fast while we talked, and stood up.
“Sure, why not. I’m due another panic attack this afternoon.”
Harley grabbed my hand and tugged me closer to him, forcing me to lift my head to see his face, instead of his chest.
“I promise you’ll be safe, okay? If it gets too much, I won’t mind if you leg it. It’s just… it’s hilarious when these two are going at it.”
Chapter Seven
IWALKED CAROLINE TO her ride, and waited until she started her up, then I turned and legged it back in the direction of my shop, and the warring brothers I was about to face down. Grease was a great guy, despite his snarky attitude, and his partner, in business and the bedroom, was a former cop. Weird right? Still if those two weren’t arguing, you could guarantee he and Rocket would be. I had no idea what their beef was, but I figured it was better to head back, especially after that message from Jamie. It basically said to get back if I wanted a shop to get back to.
I reached the door, and could hear raised voices before I even opened it. Jamie was sitting on my counter, grinning widely at the arguing bikers, and she caught my eye as I stepped inside.
“Should have brought popcorn, Harley. This one’s good.”
I listened to Grease giving Rocket hell, while Has-Been stood beside them smirking.
“So it’s like a lover’s spat, right?”
She laughed. “Yeah, only I can’t tell who dumped who.”
“Cool your jets, little pain, nobody’s dumping anyone. I’d never date this prick, even if he came to me on his knees.”
Rocket practically snarled at Grease, and Has stepped between them, nudging Rocket away before he reached him, because you don’t touch the guy unless you want to be sucking his golden gun, or so I hear.
I heard Caroline enter the shop then, and leaned closer to Jamie.
“My friend Caroline came to watch the show, but she’s a little timid, so go easy on her.”
Jamie leaned up to look over my shoulder, and offered Caroline a small wave.
“The fact that you said that to me, and not those three big lugs is a little insulting, Harley.”
I ignored her, and turned to reach out to Caroline, who stared nervously at the three large bikers, thankfully all without their cuts, proving that brains won out at least.
“It’s okay,” I said gently, catching her hand as soon as she was close enough. “This is Jamie, she’s here with her man. That one there. His name’s Grease.”
“Grease? That’s a name?”
“Don’t you forget it, sweetheart,” Grease said, having heard everything because he was a creepy bastard. He winked at her, and then winced at twin glares from me and his old lady. She wasn’t his official old lady yet, but it would happen soon. I had no idea how the tattooing would work, because he clearly wouldn’t let Rocket anywhere near either of them. Hell, maybe he’d arrange it with Has-Been while he was here.
“The other guy is Has-Been,” I said, watching her brow furrow at their road names. I could tell she was curious, but didn’t want to ask, and how was I supposed to explain it to someone who didn’t know we were all in a biker club?
“Grease and his old lady here are security consultants, and they’re here to help us beef up the security now that Rocket’s got all his expensive shit here too.”
“I’m not beefing anything of his,” Grease retorted, catching Rocket’s wrist as his hand shot in his direction. “Now I know you weren’t about to hit me, fuckhead. Remember we’ve still got a showdown coming. I’m just waiting for you to not be a weak ass pussy. At least you’re not drunk for once.”
“You fucking cunt, I’ll break that smug face of yours!” Caroline’s hand shot out of mine, and I turned to see her backing up fast, her face pale. Oh shit. This was a bad idea. Truthfully, I thought they’d banter more than this. They didn’t come to blows as often as they argued, mostly because Grease kept saying he was waiting for the right moment to destroy him.
“Has, Jamie, break that shit up!” I barked at them, following Caroline as she backed into the repair bay. I caught her arms, and fuck me, she was literally trembling. Why the hell did I do this to her?
“Fuck. I’m sorry. This was such a bad idea. I’m such a dickhead.” With no other alternative, I pulled her against my chest, cradling her trembling form against mine. Another dick move, right? The woman who hates hugs, and I just forced one on her, but strangely, she seemed to start calming down. Her hands clutched my shirt in tight fists, and she buried her face in the fabric, while I finally got to stroke those cute little curls of hers.
“I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry. I shouldn’t have suggested this. It’s all my fault, okay?”
She started shaking again, her head juddering from side to side.
“It’s… me… I’m path… etic.” Fuck me, her words came out like her teeth were chattering, and I felt like an even bigger asshole for putting her through this.
