CHAPTER TWO #2
“You got somewhere to be?” I ask.
“No. Just busy. Long day.” His foot taps the floor.
The corner of my mouth twitches. “Diesel mentioned you went to see Martha yesterday.”
Rabbit’s entire body goes still. “Yeah,” he says slowly. “Yeah, I did.”
“How is she?” I ask, voice flat.
“She’s fine.”
“Fine,” I repeat. “That it?”
He shifts, uncomfortable. “We didn’t talk long.”
“You went all that way but didn’t talk long?”
Rabbit rubs the back of his neck. “Just the usual shit, Pres. Nothing exciting.”
He’s lying.
My jaw ticks. “And Eden?”
His throat works. “Didn’t see her.”
“Didn’t ask about her?”
“I—” He stops, choosing his words carefully. “Martha didn’t say much.”
But there’s something in his tone. Something deliberately withheld. A secret sitting right behind his teeth.
My chest tightens.
Is Eden okay?
Is the baby okay?
Has she got someone new?
My stomach knots, jealousy twisting with fear.
“You sure everything’s alright?” I press, my voice low.
Rabbit stands abruptly. “Gotta get back to work,” he mutters. “That Ford won’t fix itself.” He avoids my eyes as he backs towards the door.
“Rabbit?” He pauses. “You hiding something from me?”
He swallows hard. “No, Pres. Nothing like that.” He opens the door. “I’ll catch you later,” he says and disappears before I can call him back.
I sit there, staring after him, adrenaline drumming through my veins.
Something’s off. I felt it the second he walked in. He’s definitely keeping something from me. Something big.
I lean forward, elbows braced on my knees, rubbing a hand over my face.
Is she alright? Is she alone? Is the baby . . .
My chest constricts painfully.
Or worse . . . did she tell him not to tell me?
I slam my fist onto the desk, anger crackling under my skin. I’m pissed that Diesel’s got me thinking this shit, that he’s given me the urge to know all about her again. To find her. To see her.
Nathan Cole sits behind his desk, counting stacks of cash with slow precision. He glances up when I step inside, his right-hand man closing the door behind me.
“I didn’t expect to see you,” he says, arching a brow. “I hope you’re not coming here with problems.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. I haven’t caused this prick one problem since we shook hands months ago. In fact, I’m making him more money than Jimmy Harker ever fucking dreamed of.
“I’m taking some time away,” I say firmly.
His hands still mid-count. “Time away?” he repeats. “Is there such a thing?” His laugh is sharp, humourless.
Before I can answer, his daughter appears. Anika glides in like she owns the building. She presses a kiss to her father’s cheek then gives me a slow, lingering smile.
“Kade needs time away,” Nathan tells her, still amused.
“Everyone needs a break, Father,” she says, eyes burning into mine. “Even the toughest of men.”
Nathan’s gaze cuts back to me. “Where are you going?”
“Louth,” I mutter.
“Your ex,” he states plainly, and my spine stiffens. “I keep track,” he adds, as if reading my thoughts. Of course, he does. He keeps tabs on anyone remotely close to me. Information is leverage.
Anika’s attention sharpens, her eyes going a shade darker. “We have meetings,” she snaps. She’s never hidden the fact she wants me. She’s not subtle, not shy, and not respectful either. She’s cornered me numerous times, asking me for drinks, and I turn her down every time.
“Diesel will cover,” I tell her.
“Not good enough,” she says simply. “And not enough notice.”
Nathan glances up at her, an entertained smirk tugging at his lips. “She’s right. Sit with Anika and go over her diary,” he continues. “Work out which meetings you must attend and which your VP can handle.”
“Diesel is capable of dealing with them all,” I bite out.
“Our clients are jumpy,” Anika says. “They don’t like change. And we’re about to close a huge deal with the Colombians. Juan José expects you, so it will be you he meets.”
She spins on her heel and leaves.
Nathan huffs a laugh. “You heard her.”
I follow Anika down the hallway, into her office. She doesn’t look at me when she snaps, “Close the door.” I hesitate, checking the corridor. She rolls her eyes. “Relax. I’m not going to seduce you.”
I shut the door anyway. “I can call Juan myself and explain my absence,” I say.
She rounds on me, fury hot and sharp. “The deal is worth millions. I’ve spent a year kissing arses to make this happen, and I will not let a biker fuck it up at the final hurdle.
” She plants her hands on the desk. “You will show up. You will shake hands. You will sit through every negotiation until it’s done. ”
I scoff. “You’re not my fucking boss.”
She lifts her chin. “You made a deal with my father. Do you want to tell him you’re backing out because you’d rather chase after your ex?”
“That’s not why I’m going.”
“Didn’t she make it pretty clear she was done? That she didn’t want you anywhere near her?”
I grind my teeth in frustration. I should’ve kept my mouth shut that night. Should’ve walked away instead of drowning myself in Nathan’s bar, where Maggie couldn’t cut me off.
Anika had found me and offered a comforting smile, a soft voice, and I was drunk enough to spill everything. I even showed her the fucking letter. I woke up on her couch, shame clawing at my ribs.
Haven’t touched a drop since.
“I just want to check she’s okay,” I mutter. “She’s carrying my kid.”
Anika rolls her eyes. “I can send someone.”
“No.” It comes out too sharp.
She arches a brow. “Mothers raise children alone all the time, Kade. I’m sure she’s just fine.”
My jaw ticks. “I’ll attend your little meeting,” I grit out. “Then I’m going to see Eden. Diesel will cover for a few weeks afterward.”
Anika steps around the desk, closing the distance between us until she’s right in my space. Her smile curves with heat and challenge.
She presses a manicured red nail into my chest. “I think you’re forgetting who calls the shots, biker.” I don’t move, and her nail digs in harder. “I own you,” she whispers, eyes flicking to my mouth. “My personal little puppet.”
Something snaps in me. I grab her wrist and spin her, slamming her against the wall. I realise too late that it’s the wrong move.
The sound she makes isn’t fear—it’s pleasure.
Her eyes darken, her chest rising fast. She leans close, her breath warm on my neck. “Is it just me,” she whispers, lips brushing my ear, “or . . .” Her hand drops to my crotch, pressing, and she laughs softly. “Nope,” she purrs. “We’re both feeling it.”
I jerk back like she burned me. She laughs harder, slow and satisfied. “See you at seven,” she says, smoothing her hair. “Don’t be late.”