Loving Jared - Nikita Slater Page 0,17

figure it out. If being with her meant having her family around too, then he was all in. One hundred percent.

But Jared could also understand her point of view. Her entire family had experienced some pretty major trauma, which would leave lasting scars. Even with a normal break up where kids were involved, it could be difficult to introduce them to a potential partner. In Amy's case, it was like navigating a minefield.

"How about we introduce me as a friend? That way, if things either don't happen between us, or go bad…" Jared didn't bother telling her that neither of those things would happen, because he wouldn't let it. "Then the girls will still have a friend in me." Jared gripped her chin and tilted it until she was forced to look at his face, to see the truth written there. "I promise you, Amy, I won’t do anything to hurt you or your siblings. Not even unintentionally. I will make them my priority, if that's what you want."

She gave him a slow nod, and, even though she was no longer as enthusiastic about dinner, he was happy that she was thinking about it. Finally, she said, "Okay, we'll see you at seven."

Jared turned the ignition on the bike, savouring the roar as it came to life. "Don't be late. I’m making hot dogs, and those don't keep."

The last thing he heard as he rode away from her was the sound of her sweet laughter following. Life was pretty damn perfect.

Nine

Life stopped being perfect when Jared arrived early at the jobsite office. Enrico was already in the trailer waiting for Jared and Vincent. Enrico worked with Jared, helping him with security.

While Vincent ran the entire operation, Jared's job was security and managing the work crews. The legitimate side of their business. Jared also did the occasional odd job that could be considered illegal, sometimes running point when Vincent wasn't available. Which had been happening more and more lately, since Vince was settling down with Jenna and the kids.

Jared raised a brow at Enrico as he pushed the door open to the trailer. He'd been expecting to have a few minutes to himself. Grab a coffee and settle into the boss's seat to go over the security details before Vince came in. Instead he was met with a grouchy, tattooed ex-biker.

"What's up with you?" Jared asked, dumping his helmet on the couch.

"The McDonald's up the road is closed for renovations. Couldn't get my morning breakfast fix." Enrico sounded so affronted that Jared actually worried for the owner. When Enrico wasn't happy, he did something about it. Usually with his fists.

"There's about ten McDonald's less than half an hour from us. Go get your damn breakfast, then come back and tell me what the fuck you're doing up so early."

"I don't want those McDonald’s; I want my McDonald's.” If Enrico hadn't been such a big, angry dude, Jared would’ve laughed at his petulance. But one didn't laugh at Enrico and come out of it unscathed.

"Fine, whatever, pout about it." Jared dropped into Vincent’s seat behind the desk. "What are you doing here? I assume you're here to see me?"

Though it was plenty early for Jared even, Jared was usually the first one in. Which meant if Enrico, who was usually the last one in, was arriving at the site early, it was to see the head of security.

Enrico didn't beat around the bush. "The Ghosts are riding again. Don't know how, don't know why, don't care. There's rumbling that they're gonna come after us: you, me and Vince in particular. The truce is a lie."

"How many?" Jared demanded.

He didn’t bother asking how his friend knew about the Ghosts. Enrico knew everything about everything. His ability to retain gossip was second only to a Kardashian. Jared kept the reference to himself for two reasons; he didn’t need an early morning brawl and he didn’t want to admit he knew who the Kardashians were.

"Don't know." Enrico stretched his arms out and cracked his knuckles, the ink across his hands proclaiming his biker heritage. Same as Jared. "About the size of an orgy. Maybe five or six."

Jared snorted. “Pretty small orgy. You need to get laid more often.”

Jared thought about it for a few minutes. There were several courses of action that could be taken. First though, he needed to know if the Ghosts were actually gunning for them or if they just wanted to peacefully rebuild their club.

"Put a few of our guys on