look just great for his campaign, now wouldn’t it? “I’ve been doing more research on your handyman. Did you know his most recent job was managing a strip club? The place was raided repeatedly, and—”
“He convicted of anything?” I asked.
“He’s a gang member,” Brandon insisted. “It doesn’t matter if he’s convicted of anything—we all know he’s guilty.”
“Huh, I’m not an attorney, but even I’m pretty sure that’s not how it works, Brandon. Innocent until proven guilty. Oh, and he already told me about the strip club. Not a huge surprise.”
Brandon fell silent for a moment.
“You knew about the strippers?” he asked, obviously shocked. “This isn’t like you, Tinker. What’s happened to you?”
“Brandon, you don’t know me anymore,” I said pointedly. “I’m not sure you ever did. Are we done?”
“No,” he said quickly. “Don’t hang up. Here’s the thing—I want to announce soon. It would be so much better if you were here.”
“No, it’d be worse, because the last thing you want is me telling all your supporters what a douchebag you are. How much you want to bet those nice people wouldn’t be so quick to back you if they knew you’d decided working was more important than your child dying?”
“It wasn’t like that—you had a miscarriage. I’m sorry, but women have them all the time.”
Did he just actually say that?
“Did you say what I think you said?” I asked sharply. For a man so good at reading juries, he wasn’t real bright.
“I’m sorry,” he replied quickly. “I didn’t mean it. I’m under a lot of pressure and—”
Whatever he said next, I didn’t hear it because I’d already cut off the call. I pulled a couch cushion over my lap, hugging it close.
He wasn’t going to make me cry again.
Not ever.
No matter how bad it hurt.
I’d survived my marriage, I’d survived losing Tricia, and when my mom passed, I made it through that, too. Brandon didn’t get to hurt me—not ever again. I was still sitting there brooding when Gage knocked on the door. Leaning my head back, I stared at the ceiling, wondering if he’d go away if I just ignored him.
No, probably not. He was almost as pushy as Brandon.
Of course, Gage hadn’t heartlessly abandoned me on the worst day of my life, so I guess he had that going for him. Biting back a hysterical laugh, I walked over to the door and opened it. Sure enough, a very determined-looking biker stood on my front porch.
“We’ll talk outside,” I said firmly, determined to stand my ground. When he didn’t move out of the way, I ducked under his arm, moving past him to lean against the porch rail.
“I’m sorry about Talia,” he said, studying me carefully. “Wish you’d waited for me, though.”
“I’d had enough drama,” I told him, shrugging, the memory of all those eyes watching me twisting my stomach. “And it’s not like we’re a couple.”
“My dick was inside you three hours ago,” he replied, eyes narrowing. “I don’t know what that makes us, but it’s fair to say we’ve moved past landlord and tenant. Usually when I take a girl out, I like to make sure she gets back home again safe. Hard to do when she disappears on me.”
“No,” I said shortly, making a snap decision.
“No?” he asked.
“Just . . . no,” I repeated. “I had fun, but the thing with Talia? That’s a deal breaker. I can’t have a crazy woman randomly attacking me all the time.”
“I gave her money and told her to get out of town,” he said, silently acknowledging the point.
“Oh, and I’m sure she’ll just go happily, because criminally insane people always listen to reason.”
Gage cocked his head. “You trying to start a fight? Because I can think of better ways to work off energy.”
“God, are all men so completely clueless?” I mused. “Brandon’s on my case tonight, too.”
“That fucker’s bothering you again?” he asked, freezing. “I’ll take care of him.”
I snorted. “You know, that’s kind of the problem.”
“What?”
“You’re too much like him.”
“What the fuck?” Gage asked, stepping toward me. He caught my shoulders, forcing me to turn toward him. “I am nothing like your ex-husband.”
“You’re both pushy as hell,” I snapped back at him. “He’s trying to protect me from you, did you know that? He’s been investigating you. Says you’re a criminal and that your club is a gang. Is that true, Gage? Don’t bother answering—you’re too good of a liar for me to believe you anyway.”
“Stop it,” he snarled, pulling me into his body. Then his