“I didn’t know,” he says. “And we all use nicknames in the MC, so unless I laid eyes on him myself, I wouldn’t have known. I would’ve told you.”
That fucking Bane Adler is a sneaky fuck.
“Yes, his biker name is Eagle, apparently because eagles signify freedom. I don’t see how that works because he wasn’t very free when he spent six months in jail.”
He cocks a brow. “And you didn’t pull any strings?”
“I didn’t even know,” I say. “It wasn’t in Louisiana, and he only just told me last night. I’m so mad at him. He just showed up outside as I was leaving.”
“And you gave him a hard time?”
“Aust, I haven’t seen my brother for almost two years. Yes, I gave him a hard time. Even Dad was worried. He did that thing where he clenches his teeth every time Max talked, which was the majority of the evening. It’s weird he’s here. I’m still getting my head around it.”
“He came to watch you be honored in the new position. I’d take it as a win.”
“He was acting weird.”
“How so?”
“I don’t know, just a hunch.” I sigh. “And he was tolerating Max, which I get, it’s been a while for him too, and you know my brother, we couldn’t shut him up.”
“Well, I’m glad that he seems to have turned a corner.”
“He’s a shithead,” I mutter. “I’ve had to learn to switch off when it comes to my brother. I’ve lost so much fucking sleep during his absence. I didn’t know if he was dead or alive.”
“You know he always comes home at some point,” Haze says lazily. “He’s a little shit, but he adores you.”
I don’t know about that, but Max has always looked up to me. Hell knows I’ve gotten more respect out of him than I have my own father. He’s always been proud of me.
I try not to notice how Haze smells fucking amazing. That intoxicating scent is subtle, but deadly. His wide-set shoulders stretch that fucking cut, with the Henley underneath it, and he’s freshly shaven. Haze has always had a baby face, it’s how he gets away with so much. His own mother told me many stories about the shit he got away with as a kid.
I don’t let my eyes wander down his front, where his solid chest — toned like the rest of him — stretches out that fabric. He’s ungodly.Exactlymy type. And now I’m thinking about sex all over again. This isn’t good. It’s my first real day on the job, even though I’m not even supposed to be here until tomorrow.
“You good?”
I glance up, and he’s smirking.Asshole.He knows what he does to me. Even if I am fickle, I can’t deny that Haze is a very attractive man. He has no doubt spent hours in the gym because the more I see him, the bigger he seems to get.
“I’m fine. I’m thinking.”
“About how ripped I am under my clothes?”
My eyes widen. Jeepers, am I that transparent? “No, about how I’m going to kick you out of this office before people think we’re up to no good.”
“Well, since you are still my w?—”
I hold up a hand. “Don’t say it. I swear to god, Austin.”
“It’s Haze when I’m in work mode, baby, Austin in the bedroom.”
“Don’t push your luck.”
“Oh, I get it, the captain needs to be wooed, I’m here for it.”
“No, you’re not. You’re three seconds away from being thrown out of here.”
“Not by you,” he smirks. “All five-foot nothing of you ain’t gonna do shit, squirt.”
I ignore his jibe. “We both know I could bring you to your knees.”
