quickly. I thought you and Ryder could go check it out. I need to do something on my bike, so I can look after the shop for you while you do.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Why the need to move so fast?”
He spins back to the bar as two shots are laid in front of us.
“Can I get some wings and fries, please?” If I don't get food in me soon, I’ll be shit-faced in no time.
When the barman walks away, Declan continues. “There’s a new crew in town. They’re bad news, and they want to take over the territory where the garage is. Kings and I don’t want that; we keep our streets clean.”
I raise an eyebrow, and he chuckles. “Cleaner than some wannabe gang bangers who like beating on people and selling hardcore drugs that kill?”
His grin disappears. “It would be a hundred percent your business, and your clientele would be like Torque Octane. Majority would be MC club members and family, just not mine.”
“Declan, I don’t want any trouble.”
He slaps my back. “Jett, I have never brought any ugly club business your way. Not going to start now. This garage is located between our turfs and we want it to stay neutral between the two clubs. We don’t want any trouble moving in around our families.”
Family. It’s only my brother and me and has been for a while now. When my dad died, my mother moved to Florida. She’s since remarried and seems happy. The club has always been part of our family. My dad and the then president, Knox, were best friends growing up, so they were always around us. By the time we grew up, though, Declan felt that being a club member was all he wanted, whereas I knew that life wasn't for me. I always enjoyed tinkering around in the shop with Dad.
“Okay, it won’t hurt to go check it out, I guess. Damn, now I’m going to have to hire some more guys.”
“Thanks, bro.”
“Uh huh.” I point at him. “I know that look. Don’t get too excited. I said I’d check it out, not that it’s a done deal.”
He swipes a fry from the plates the barman just placed in front of us.
“Why, hello there,” a sultry voice says from beside me, large tits pressed into my arm. “Ooh, there's two of you. This is looking like a great night. Two for the price of one.” She giggles, and instead of turning me on, she makes my stomach churn.
“Sorry, not interested,” I say, unhooking her hands that are latched around my arm.
Declan stands up, taking the shocked woman in his arms. “Speak for yourself, Jett. I’m the better brother anyway.” He winks at me again as he walks away
9
Sofia Winters
“You promised,” Thomas hisses at me as I smile at the Conners walking past us.
I turn to face him, fighting to keep my face straight when I’m fuming inside. It’s been a week since I came back from staying with Jett. And I hate it. I hate keeping up a facade while in front of company, while fighting with him behind closed doors. He doesn't understand why I would want to ruin what he claims is a good thing for us both.
“I agreed to be by your side. I never agreed to have you stick your tongue down my throat. Plus, you blackmailed me. I’m not here because I love your ass.” I chug the half-glass of champagne, then place it down on a passing waiter’s tray before picking up another.
He grabs my wrist as I raise the glass to my lips and lowers his face to mine. “Control yourself, Sofia. Do not get drunk.”
I yank my hand away from his grip and drink the whole glass. “I think I see my mother.” I storm away, leaving him with a scowl on his face. I may have agreed to this, for appearance’s sake, but I will not have him maul me as if we are lovers. Before today's kiss, it has been months since he touched me. I see my mother and father talking to the Coopers and decide to veer toward the double doors on my right, needing to get some fresh air.
I open them and slip outside when nobody is watching and walk over to the railing to look out over the golf course. The sky is twinkling with stars, and I take in some much-needed breaths. Things have been hectic since I came back. I had to sit through a long