“No, it was coincidence,” I said quietly, aware that we’d earned some attention from Hayden’s biker brothers.
“Really? You don’t look shocked to see me,” Hayden growled, his face turning red. He’d always had a temper, which was what got him into trouble. At least when I nicked stuff as a teen I kept my cool.
“I might have known you were here.”
“Are you fucking serious?” He shook his head with a laugh. “I haven’t seen you in yonks, and you knew I was here the entire time and you didn’t come to see me?”
“What do you want me to say, Hayden?” I growled. We’d gotten everyone’s attention now, and I felt someone come stand near my back. I didn’t have to look to know it was River; I could smell his cologne. “I’m a cop, you’re a King. I heard about you doing a stretch in porridge. I couldn’t risk it.”
Hayden’s face fell and guilt ate at my insides. “Risk what? You’re my brother. I don’t even give a shit that you’re a copper.”
I sighed and massaged my temples.Fuck. This wasn’t how I’d planned reuniting with him. “Listen, I’m on the job. I’m a PI, too, and I’m looking into something. I don’t need this right now.”
“Bloody hell. You sound exactly like Mum.I don’t need this right now. It’s exactly what she used to say to us.” He shook his head and took a step back, obviously forgetting Destiny was behind him. Destiny let out an “umph,” but Hayden turned and grabbed Destiny’s hand, yanking him out of the clubhouse. I wanted to follow, my gut told me to apologize and talk to him, but I stayed put. It was easier to let him go. We’d gone in two different directions.
“Are you going after him?” River came around to my front and frowned at me.
“No.”
Someone snorted to my left, and I glanced at a man near the pool table. Like the rest of the Kings he had tattoos galore, including one on his face that looked to be either Japanese or Chinese writing. Hell if I knew what it was, though. The guy shrugged and grinned. “Kings of Men. The club with all the family drama.”
“What?” I snapped.
He laughed, but River pointed at him. “Shut up, Barber, or I’ll tell King about the scratch you put on his bike.”
Barber’s smile dropped off his face and fear replaced the expression.
King chose that moment to walk down the hallway and back to the bar with a small, ripped piece of paper in his hand. He stopped in front of us and handed it to River. “That’s his cell. Tell him I gave it to you, so he knows you’re working with me. I might have to call him myself, though. Be warned.”
River nodded in thanks. “I appreciate it, King.”
“Do me a favor.” King scratched at his chin, but the seriousness in his eyes was hard to miss. “Keep me updated on this fucking trafficking ring. We don’t allow that shit in New Gothenburg, and I know Sapphira will want it gone too.”
“We will,” River said. He slid his hand into mine, our fingers interlocked, as he gave King another smile and led me out of the clubhouse again. The sky above was a sea of stars and a half moon, the cool air dancing across my face. We stopped beside my truck, and he turned to me. “Do you want to go after Bishop?”
I shook my head. “We have too much history.”
“Of course you do,” River snorted. “What do you expect? He’s your brother.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t have time for it.” I shifted, getting him nice and close against the side of my truck. He stiffened then relaxed, his gaze dropping to my lips when I pressed him to the metal of the passenger door. I placed my hands on either side of his head and breathed in the musky scent of his cologne. Fuck, he smelled nice. “You did good, Lamb. Now we’ve got a number, we can follow the lead.”
“Yeah.” River let out a breath and leaned toward me. I met him halfway, slamming my mouth against his in a brief but rough kiss that left my cock half hard and his lips swollen. He groaned when I tugged myself back and off him.
“Come on. We can’t call him tonight. We’ll see what this Russian lady knows tomorrow, then we’ll call this ‘lone wolf’ after that. Do you….” I stopped before I got too far away from him and licked my bottom lip, chasing the taste of him. “Do you want to stay at my house tonight? Your car’s already there. We could go straight to your dad’s tomorrow?”
River held his breath, gaze longing and mouth glistening from our kiss. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. But… I do keep a bag in my car for emergencies.”
“Come on, Lamb.” I took two steps forward again. “Let me show you what I’ve learned.”
His eyelashes fluttered and he smirked. “Fine, but if you disappoint me,Sir, I’m leaving.”
I laughed. “The first thing I’m going to do is teach you how to not be sarcastic to me.”
“Oh, I’msolooking forward to that.” River rolled his eyes.
Yep, this was going to be fun. He had no idea what I’d bought that now lived in my closet. I’d been too afraid of using the toys, in fear of what that meant for me and my numbed mind. Now, I couldn’t wait to drag them out.
12
