Chapter 4
four
The sun is drifting just below the tree lines as I make my way back to Revamp to pick Kelsea up from work.
Elijah looked at me with a smug grin when he heard me on the phone rescheduling my afternoon client so I could be off in time to make it to pick her up before Kelsea tried to call a fucking Uber.
I’ve told him at least a dozen times over the past few months that there’s nothing going on between her and I, but we both know that’s total bullshit.
He, of all people, knows when I’m interested in a woman.
But I know my fake flattery and bullshit pickup lines won’t sway Kelsea.
She sees right through me, sees straight into the abyss of my soul, and she smiles into it.
That’s part of the reason I’ll never go after her.
I’ve never stuck around long enough for any woman to call me on my bullshit.
I’m not sure my ego could take it if Kelsea did.
She already called me out at the end of her hospital stay, telling me I should just hook up with her nurse if I was gonna keep looking at her like a snack.
I did my best to divert my attentions after that, at least when Kelsea was around.
It’s not that I don’t want to do all sorts of filthy things with that raven-haired beauty.
Fuck, I’d give my left nut for just one night with her.
But she deserves better than that, and I won’t make her any promises I can’t keep.
Kelsea has always been the relationship type.
She wants to go on actual dates and cuddle after sex, the kind of shit that I just don’t do.
“What the fuck, man? I called you twice. Don’t you think it could have been important?” His voice is gruff, and it sounds like he hasn’t slept in days.
“Sorry, bro. I was on the bike. I didn’t even hear it ring. Whats the big fucking problem?” I ask, lighting a cigarette and taking a long drag as I scan the streets around me.
“I’ve been keeping tabs on Justin’s family and friends, just in case of any blow back from you taking him out.
We may have a problem,” my grip on the handlebar tightens at his mentioning of my sister’s fuckwad ex.
I knew the second she told me he put his hands on her, I was gonna put a bullet in that fucker’s head.
Luckily for me, he was stupid enough to put himself in the perfect position for me to do it legally.
I don’t think I’ve ever felt rage the way I did the night he kidnapped Kelsea and Ember.
On top of that, he took a shot at my best friend.
He signed his death certificate the moment he fucked my sister over.
“What kind of problem, Break?” I ask, trying to calm the adrenaline already forcing its way into my veins.
“Well, I told you he came from old money. His dear ol’ dad is a fucking congressman, Ev. Crooked as fuck, but still holds power,” he says.
“Ok, good for him. I’m glad they could afford a nicer funeral than that asshole deserved. What the fuck does this have to do with me, man?” I ask.
“I’ve made a lot of… nefarious connection over the years.
Unfortunately, I’ve seen your name come up in way more chatter than I feel comfortable with lately.
Justin’s pops is putting out feelers. Looking for dirt on you and Elijah both.
” His tone sounds ominous and harsh. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he sounds almost scared.
“What kind of fucking dirt? All the killing I’ve done was government sanctioned. Well, except for his sweet baby boy,” I scoff. He’s not gonna find anything on me or Elijah. Eli’s juvie record is bullshit, and we’ve both done our best to keep our noses clean for the sake of our business.
“I don’t know, man, I just know he’s digging. I don’t fucking like it,” Breaker replies.
I take one last deep drag from my cigarette before putting it out on my boot and pocketing the butt. If there’s anything I know Kelsea hates, it’s a liter bug. Why do I care? Who fucking knows.
“I’m not worried about some pretty boy politician, Breaker.
He is just wasting his time because I don’t have any dirt for him to find.
” I look over into the front window of revamp and see Kelsea’s beautiful face as she hands a customer their change.
A man comes up behind her, a little too close for my liking.
I can see her body tense when she realizes he’s there, and I don’t fucking like it.
“Look, keep your radar up, man. But he won’t find anything on me.
If you see him taking things any deeper than snooping, let me know.
Okay? I gotta go.” I hang up without waiting for his reply.
I watch Kelsea for a few more seconds from my post outside the shop.
I don’t want to interfere if she doesn’t need me to.
She’s a capable woman, and I’d never want to make her feel like anything less.
She slowly puts more and more distance between her and the man, bending down under the counter and standing back up with her purse on one shoulder.
As she bends down, I watch the man ogle her ass like she’s a T-Bone and he’s a starving dog. That’s not gonna fucking happen.
Before I can stop myself, I’m swinging my leg over my bike and stomping my way into the store.
The bell over the door jingles, announcing my arrival.
Kelsea and the man both snap their attention to me immediately.
I see relief flash across Kelsea’s face, which only makes me more irritated.
The man looks over at me with confusion.
I’m sure he’s wondering why a guy like me would even come inside a shop like this.
I make my way to Kelsea with sure, steady footsteps.
She steps around the counter towards me and I slide my arm around her waist, pulling her into my side with no hesitation.
She lets out a small gasp at our connection, and I kiss her temple.
“Hey, babe. How was your first day?” I ask, not even bothering to acknowledge the man who made her so uncomfortable. She seems stunned for a moment, but quickly snaps out of it.
“Hi, Ev. It was a great day. Malcolm here is my boss,” she says, gesturing to the man behind the counter. He stands there silently with his arms crossed, a tight expression on his face.
I reach my hand out to him. “Nice to meet you, Malcolm. Thanks for taking care of my girl today.” I emphasize that last part, leaving no room for argument.
I know what he’s thinking, and he needs to think again.
He shakes my hand limply, and I squeeze a little tighter than necessary until I see him wince.
“I didn’t know Kelsea had a boyfriend,” he says, pulling his hand from my grip and pursing his lips.
“Aww, you didn’t talk about me, goddess?” I ask, looking over at her with a playful grin, hoping she plays along.
“Well, ya know. It’s just the first day, sugar. I was just learning the ropes from Malcolm here.” She leans into my grip and slides her palm up my chest. Her hand burns a path up my skin, and I have to fight to keep from crashing my lips onto hers.
“Well, I’m glad you had a good day. You ready to go home?” I jerk my head towards my bike and lock eyes with Malcolm across the counter.
“Yeah, let me just say bye to Magnolia and I’ll be ready.
” She slips out of my hold, and I instantly feel the loss of her warmth against my skin.
I don’t break eye contact with her asshole manager as she squeezes past him into the back room.
We stand still, glaring at each other, for several long minutes.
“You work at that little tattoo shop down that street, right?” He asks, judgement written all over his face.
“Yeah, I actually own that little tattoo shop,” I reply, not bothering to acknowledge his attempt at talking down to me. I’ve heard this kind of bullshit all my life. It’s nothing new coming from him.
Kelsea emerges from the stockroom with another girl. The girl looks like the perfect 50s pin-up model, her red hair perfectly styled and her sundress hugging her curves in all the right places. She’s beautiful, but even so, she doesn’t hold a candle to the woman next to her.
“Thank you so much for all your help today, Maggie,” Kelsea tells her, giving her a hug and walking back to me.
“It’s no problem.” Magnolia eyes me over Kelsea’s shoulder. “Damn, Kels. You didn’t tell me you were dating fucking James Dean!” she says, drawing a full-bodied laugh out of Kelsea. I scoff at her laughter and snag her hand as she steps closer to me, lacing our fingers together.
“Yeah, she tries to keep me a secret. Gotta keep the ladies away from me somehow, right, goddess?” I throw a wink at Kelsea, and she rolls her eyes. “Lets go, babe. It was nice meeting you both.” Kelsea waves over her shoulder and we walk out of the shop to my bike.
“Sorry about all that. I really appreciate you doing that, though,” Kelsea says as soon as the door closes. She doesn’t pull her hand from mine, and I try not to read too much into that.
“It’s no problem, Kels. Whats up with that guy, anyway? I could tell from out here that he was making you uncomfortable.” I run my hand up and down her arm reassuringly, and she shivers at my touch. It’s nice to know she's just as affected by me as I am by her.
“It’s nothing, really. He’s just a perv. Nothing I’m not used to,” she says with a shrug.
“Thats not nothing, Kelsea. And if he’s your manager, that’s wildly inappropriate.” I pull her to a stop in front of the curb. “Do I need to go back in there and make sure he understands that you’re off limits?”
She scoffs, and I pin her with a glare. “No, Everett. I think your little show in there did the job. I’ll be fine.
I can take care of myself, you know,” she says, crossing her arms over her chest. The action pushes her tits up so perfectly that I can’t help but stare.
She clears her throat, drawing my attention back to her face. “Men. You’re all the same,” she says.
“Hey, don’t group me in with that fucking guy. At least you want me to check out your ass when you bend over,” I say with a smirk. She huffs out an exasperated breath and pushes past me to climb on my bike. “Not gonna even try to deny it, huh?” I ask, sliding onto the seat in front of her.
“Just take me home, Everett,” she says, sliding her helmet on and wrapping her arms around my waist. I see a tiny smirk playing at the corner of her lips, though.
My body shakes and I laugh at her embarrassment.
She wants me to look just as much as I know I shouldn’t.
I try to shake the feeling of Kelsea’s body pressed against mine from my mind as I pull out onto the road that takes us back to the townhouse.
I know it was all an act for that slime ball she works for, but I’m shocked at how much I wish it wasn’t.