Chapter Three
The van spit out a puff of black smoke as she parked it at Derry’s Automotive Shop. The tall, gangly man lifted his head out from under the hood of a car and shook his head while he wiped off his greasy hands on his overalls.
“Don’t look at me like that,” she said to the mechanic as she climbed out of her heap of junk.
“Bryar, I told you not to bring that old thing here again.” He pushed his cap back onto his forehead.
“You’re a mechanic, Derry, so do mechanic things.” She dropped the key fob on the workbench.
“Right. I’m a mechanic. Not a miracle worker. I’m booked up until next week.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Can you squeeze me in sooner?’
He stared her down. “Does it look like it?” He jutted his chin at the parking lot full of vehicles that needed to be serviced.
“It’s blowing black smoke again,” she said. “The backfire is going to get me run out of town.”
“If you had over two hundred thousand miles on your frame, you’d be blowing black smoke too.”
“Come on, Derry. Look at her.” She saw his resistance.
“Oh, the heap is a “her” now and a few weeks ago she was a bitch—”
“Don’t say that. She’ll hear.”
“Take her off my lot, Bryar,” he scoffed.
“How does free lunch for a month sound?” She knew how to work a man like Derry who lived on ramen noodles and boxed snack cakes.
He hesitated. “Three months?”
“Derry, seriously?”
“I guess you’ll have to wait until I get to it then,” he muttered, climbing back under the hood.
“That’s a shame. I wonder, does Melissa know you’re still smoking?” It was a dirty trick, yet Melissa embodied primness and propriety like a saint. Oddly, she was crazy about Derry who, in return, was crazy for her.
He swiftly dragged himself back out, conking his head on the hood. “Damn,” he muttered., rubbing the back of his head. “That’s dirty!”
“You know how it is. I’ll be so bored without a vehicle that I will invite the ladies out. You know how we get loose-lipped when we’re sitting around chatting.” She almost felt guilty for cornering him.
“Fine! Two months of free lunches and I’ll have it done by the end of the week! Take it or leave it,” he stammered.
She knew just how far to push him. “I’ll take it. I’ll be back Friday to get her.” She heard his growl as she stepped out of the garage. Her ride was there. She slid into the passenger seat of her best friend’s car. “Thanks for picking me up, Reese.”
The tall blonde with big brown eyes and a wide smile was checking her lipstick in the visor mirror. “Isn’t it time you laid the van to rest?” she said as she backed her BMW out of the parking lot and onto the street.
“I would if I could.” She couldn’t afford a new-to-her car or even a gas tank fill-up until she got out of the financial tailspin she found herself in.
“You know I can help out,” Reese said.
“I’m not accepting your money.”
“It’s not my money, honey. It’s Jeremy’s. He’ll never miss it.”
“Thanks, but I’m not accepting your rich boyfriend’s money either. I’ll be okay.”
“Okay means awful,” Reese droned.
“No, it doesn’t. It means I’m okay.”
“I still can’t believe Lane got you into this mess. What happened to that cute kid with freckles and wild hair?”
Bryar looked through the side window, seeing nothing but her own thoughts.
She couldn’t deny that she still wanted to throttle her brother for the mess he got himself and his family into. Growing up, she’d protected him, and this time was no different. She wanted to open up to Reese about her confrontation with Reno, but the fewer people she told, the better.
Bryar rolled the window down to let some air in on her heated skin. “I hope this will teach him a valuable lesson.”
“Or make him worse being around all those criminals.”
“And then there’s that,” Bryar felt her heart drop into her stomach.
“I’m sorry. I’m only making you feel worse.” Reese sighed. “On a happier note, do you think you could drag yourself away from all your family drama long enough to go with me wedding dress shopping?”
“Did I hear right?” Bryar’s eyes widened as Reese lifted her left hand, showing off the large diamond ring on her fourth finger.
“He proposed at dinner last night,” Reese said proudly.
“Oh, honey. I’m so happy for you. Congratulations. Of course, I’ll go dress shopping with you.”
“Wonderful. But do me a favor. Stop worrying over your brother. He’s where he should be and everything will work itself out.”
“Easier said than done.” Bryar felt tension take up residence in her forehead.
Understanding spread over Reese’s face. “I understand. I do, but how often can you clean up your brother’s messes? He’s twenty-four. Not four. You’ve been doing this all his life, and he continues to find trouble.”
“He’s my brother. I guess after our mother left, he became my responsibility.”
Reese reached over and patted Bryar’s shoulder. “I know, sweetheart. I’m just worried about you. After you told me about your financial situation, possibly selling the bar, even the house. That’s a lot on your shoulders. I think Lane…never mind. I shouldn’t say anything.”
“Please tell me what’s on your mind.”
“I was just going to say that I think he married Crystal to be cared for.”
“She’s only four years older than him.”
“Yes, not a big deal, but she’s nurturing and coddles him. She’s been an enabler.”
Bryar nodded. She wanted to argue Reese’s point, but the truth was she had once thought the same. “It can only get better, right?”
“Of course.”
“Will you drop me off here? I want to walk the rest of the way,” Bryar said. “Some exercise will do me good.”
“I’m sorry if I said something I shouldn’t have.”
“You didn’t. We’re friends. I can handle a dose of truth. Call me later, okay?”
“Are you sure about walking?”
“I’m sure,” Bryar assured her. “It’s not far.”
“I’ll call you later.”
Reese pulled over, and before Bryar hopped out, she said, “Thank you for always being there for me. Let me know when you’ll be looking at dresses. Again, congratulations.”
She watched her friend’s car disappear around the bend and Bryar took a detour. Reese would have never dropped her off at Reno’s shop.
She let out a heavy sigh as she approached the tattoo studio. Reno's office was in the back, with a tattoo and piercing station up front.
No one even looked at Bryar as she stepped inside. The dingy place reeked of cigarette smoke and sweaty skin. Her stomach turned and it took every ounce of bravery to keep her feet moving to the back of the shop to knock on the door marked, “Private”.
The door swung open, and she found herself face-to-face with Monty. He had one facial expression. Hard ass and he was wearing it like a badge today. The tight T-shirt he wore hugged his insanely huge muscles. That might have turned some women on, but for Bryar, she found him obnoxious.
“I need to speak to Reno,” she said in a calmer voice than she felt inside.
“Hang on,” Monty said, stepping back into the room and closing the door. She heard muffled voices from inside and tried to listen, but the chatter and music in the background faded everything else out.
She was drawn to the biker getting a tattoo on his bald head. “Jesus Christ, Philly. Think you could be any heavier-handed?”
“Relax,” Philly droned.
The biker gritted his teeth. “Easy for you to say.”
“Sit the fuck still or this anchor will turn into a fish hook,” Philly warned.
The biker settled his beady gaze on Bryar and laughed. “Are you next, honey? I suggest you find another tattooer. You’re too pretty for this dickwad’s work. He’ll blow out the ink.”
“Remember who’s holding the tattoo gun, Brick. Stop being a pussy and grow some fucking balls.” Obviously, Philly had reached his patience.
The door came open, and Bryar turned her attention back to Monty.
“Boss will see you.” He stepped back, but she had to turn sideways to avoid brushing against him because he was built as big as a bear.
The office was dimly lit with the curtains closed. It smelled worse than the outer room. Bryar almost choked on the musky scent of sex that clung to the air. A lamp was turned on in the corner, casting some light on two naked women stretched out on the sofa, engaged in a make-out session.
“Well, well, well…” Reno’s voice drew Bryar’s gaze. He sat on a chair across the room, bent over a mirror, and sniffed a white substance off the mirror on the table. He laid the straw down and clumsily wiped his nose. He stood, wobbling slightly, and walked toward her. His robe was loosely tied at the waist, and each step revealed his paunchy stomach and thin legs.
“You’re looking mighty delicious today, Bryar.” He directed his eyes down her in a slow assessment. Goosebumps covered her skin. “Can I offer you anything? Wine? Water? Me?” His laugh was more of a grunt.
“I’m fine,” she snapped, fighting to keep from expressing that she’d prefer to have her nails yanked out with pliers than to touch him.
“Suit yourself.” He shrugged his shoulder, which sent the front of the robe wider, revealing his hairy chest. The man gave her the icks . He strode over and wedged himself between the two women who couldn’t be much older than twenty. Neither seemed any more interested in Reno than Bryar.
One of the women finally acknowledged Bryar, giving her a slanted glare before she sputtered, “Who the hell is she?”
“No one to worry your pretty head about, Carmen,” Reno mumbled. “You got the money, Bryar?”
“No,” she answered.
“Toss her out, Monty,” Reno growled.
She held up her hand to stop him in his tracks. “Wait. I do have something.” Wanting to get things over with, Bryar looked down at the diamond and ruby ring she wore. It was her mother’s wedding ring, the only jewelry she didn’t take with her. Bryar slid it off and held it out. “Take this. It’s worth something.”
Reno snickered. “Do I look like a jeweler?”
“No, but you look like a man who knows when he’s being offered something valuable.”
“Sentimental value doesn’t mean shit, doll,” he groaned.
“Neither for me.” Although she’d worn the ring for over fifteen years, she’d instead part with it than the bar.
Reno snapped his fingers, and the two women sighed and stood, rounding the table. Once they left the room, he eased back into the cushioned sofa, anchoring his arms on the back and spreading his legs. Bryar kept her gaze steady on his face.
“Monty.” Reno jutted his chin.
Like an obedient dog, Monty took the ring and surveyed it. “I’d say it’s worth a couple thousand.”
“So Monty is a jeweler?” Bryar didn’t care how sarcastic her tone was. “My father paid twenty thousand for that ring.”
“But it’s only worth five to me,” Reno said, gesturing to Monty, who took the ring to the desk. “It’s a start. It’ll buy you some time.”
“It should make us even,” she said firmly.
“Like I said, what’ll it do is buy you some time.” He leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his bent knees. “How is my good friend, Lane, these days?”
“We’re even now, Reno. That should cover what you feel my brother owes you.” Her solid jaw belied the tremor reverberating inside her.
“Your brother not only cost me merchandise and money but reputation. When a man doesn’t have control of his palace, his kingdom starts to lose respect.”
“I don’t have your money.”
Reno sighed. “I’ll consider the ring as five grand off what your brother stole from me.”
“You’re not listening. I don’t have your money.” Her skin crawled.
“At this point, I don’t give a fuck whether you have my money or not. Your brother owes me. He’s incapacitated now, so the burden of his debt falls on you.” His lips thinned. “I’ll see you soon with my money. Monty, show her out.”