Custom Built (Fast & Fury #1) - Chantal Fernando Page 0,13

weekend, do you want to do something? My friends are dying to meet you, and Skylar of course wants to see you. I’d love to spend some time together,” she says, pushing her hair back behind her ear.

“That sounds really nice,” I reply.

How could I not when she is so genuine? I don’t think many people could say no to the woman in front of me.

“Perfect.” She grins.

Crow wanders over and casually wraps his arm around her. “What happened to you last night?”

“I had to finish my assignment,” she explains, crossing her arms over her chest. “So I locked myself away until it was over. Pretty hard considering how loud you all are.”

Do they all live together? The two of them are obviously very comfortable with each other, something I can tell from their body language. Abbie must be close friends with most of the members in the MC, especially considering Temper is the president. Does that make her a queen of the MC of sorts?

“We tried to keep it down,” he says, removing his arm and fondly nudging her. “Until Saint started pouring shots. It all went downhill from there.”

“I don’t know how you can function the next morning.” Abbie smirks, rolling her eyes. “I’d be suffering in bed with a hangover, yet all of you were up earlier than me and ready to start the day.”

“Our bodies have adapted,” he jokes, turning to me as if only just remembering that I’m standing here. “What about you, Bronte? You much of a drinker?”

I shake my head. “No, not really.” Which is the truth.

“What’s your vice then?” he presses, studying me. I don’t miss the look Abbie gives him. It clearly says leave her alone but he simply ignores her.

“What’s yours?” I fire back, arching my brow. “Just drinking? Or do you have more than one?”

I bet women is one of them. Lots of them.

“I’m the one asking the questions here,” he states, crossing his arms and narrowing his blue eyes.

“Crow,” Abbie interrupts, scowling at him. “She doesn’t have to tell you shit about her personal life. Maybe if you want to know more about her, you should have a normal conversation with her instead of all this weird posturing that’s going on.”

“I’m not allowed to make conversation?” he asks, her comment now the big elephant in the room. “I’m just trying to get to know our new employee.”

Abbie’s about to reply when I decide to answer his damn question, just to prove that he doesn’t intimidate me.

Not one bit.

“I think shopping is probably my vice,” I reply, shrugging. “Even that I’m always in control of, but I do enjoy it a little too much. But as long as I’m paying for it and maintaining myself, I don’t think it’s a problem. Alcohol, drugs and smoking don’t appeal to me, but I’m not judging people who do what they have to do to fight their demons.”

I don’t know how the hell this talk turned deep, but here we are.

“Anyway, I better get back to work. Abbie, text me the details and I’ll see you on the weekend,” I say, smiling warmly, ignoring Crow and leaving my desk to see what Cameron is up to. The guy makes me want to leave my own damn workspace.

Gritting my teeth, I vow to myself: I’m not going to let a man that goes by the name of a damn bird get one over on me.

Chapter Four

“Holy shit, you designed this?” I ask Cameron, eying the motorcycle that now looks like a piece of artwork. Red flames come off the matte black in a 3D effect, fading into orange and yellow.

“I did the design, the artwork, everything.” She beams, circling the bike and admiring it. “Dee, one of the Knights, gave me free rein to do whatever I wanted. I think he’s going to love it.”

“I think so, too. Man, you are so talented. I bet all of the Knights come in here to get their bikes done.” I don’t even ride, and suddenly I want a custom bike.

“Yeah, they do. I think it started out as just a place for them to custom their own bikes, but it grew. It’s now known as the best custom bike shop in the city,” she explains, pride in her tone. “We have a waiting list for people wanting a one-of-a-kind, custom bike. And we’re a small shop, so we take our time creating them, which makes them even more exclusive. I do the designs and then