Landon
Fear is an emotion I conquered a long time ago. In the Middle East, there’s no time for fear. That’s how you die. So, you swallow it down and just do whatever is necessary to survive. It’s ingrained in me now so it takes a lot to scare me.
This is a totally different kind of fear.
Can they kick my ass?
All of them together? Sure.
One at a time? Not a chance in hell.
But that wouldn’t help Silver stay in his daughter’s good graces.
So, I’m not afraid, per se, but it’s more a matter of having no fucking idea what’s coming. An ass kicking just because it’s how they feel powerful? I really dislike being at a disadvantage.
“Okay, so my daughter made me promise I wouldn’t ask you your intentions,” Silver says as we walk through the clubhouse. “If we could frame this conversation so I don’t actually have toask, and neither of us have to lie to her, that would mean a lot to me.”
I laugh. That’s not what I was expecting. I see Metal chuckle while Tex just grunts, like he’s annoyed.
That’s okay, buddy, you annoy me too.
“Look, it’s been just over a month,” I say reasonably. “She’s looking for a therapist to deal with what happened to her. We’re spending this time that we can’t do much getting to know each other. Is it serious? Absolutely. Am I ready to buy a ring? Not yet.”
Tex mutters something under his breath, but Metal elbows him and I ignore it.
“That’s fair,” Silver says, leading me into what has to be where the club meets. Long wooden table. Lots of comfortable-looking chairs that tell me they spend a lot of time in here. A sideboard with water and a variety of bottles of whisky.
“I’d like to get to know you,” Silver says. He takes his place at the head of the table and motions for me to sit next to him.
I note how irritated Tex seems as he sits on Silver’s other side.
“The table is only for brothers,” he says in a steely voice.
“This isn’t official club business, and I’m trying to welcome someone who may become my family,” Silver replies evenly.
“They’ve only been hooking up for a month,” one of the other guys, who goes by Thunder, speaks up. “Why are we even here?”
“Because I said so.” Silver eyes him, and the guy backs down.
“Look, I don’t want any trouble,” I say, leaning back in my chair. “You want to know my intentions? I want to see where this goes. Once this lockdown—for lack of a better word—is over, we have to see where it takes us. I can’t promise more than that.”
“Cool.” Silver nods. “Tell me something about you that the background check didn’t turn up.”
Background check.
That must’ve been fun.
I’m clean. No debt, no assets beyond my investments and retirement, no legal troubles, no ex-wives or kids. I hope they paid a lot of money to find nothing.
“I like fast cars and motorcycles,” I reply. “I had a ’65 Mustang when I was in college and it was my pride and joy.”
“A Fastback?” Metal’s eyes widen when I nod. “That’s what I drive.”
Our eyes lock and he immediately starts to get up. “Want to see her?”
“Okay, give us a minute,” Silver interrupts gruffly, but he’s chuckling. “I see you boys may have something in common.”
“Oh, please.” Tex folds his arms and sits back.
