Ryker (Hope City #6) - Kris Michaels Page 0,22

and at the door in a heartbeat.

“See, now you did it. You pissed off your boss,” Kyle fake-whispered as he punched Brody in the shoulder on the way out the door. When it closed behind them, Ryker drew a deep breath. It was getting harder and harder to keep his and Brie’s relationship under wraps. Perhaps it was a good thing that her mother was pressing for an introduction. Dealing with Brody and his brothers would be awkward, but they were all adults. Well, mostly. He watched as Kyle ducked from a headlock Brody put on him and smiled as Amber shook her head and followed them out of the building.

He retrieved his cell and called Brie.

“Hey, good-looking,” her voice purred across the line.

“Hey yourself. The tow truck is on its way to come get your vehicle. If they don’t finish it today, I’ll pick you up tonight. I don’t want you to Uber.”

“I’ll take you up on that.”

He chuckled. “What, no argument? Who are you and what have you done with the independent woman that I fell in love with?”

“She’s still here. Things are just a little hectic again today. You gave the company my number so I can pay for the tow and new tires, right?”

“I haven’t, but if you want me to, I will.”

“Please do, I have the money to take care of it.” She covered the phone with her hand and spoke to someone. “Sorry.”

“I know you’re busy. I just wanted to give you a heads up that Brody, Amber, and Kyle McBride are on their way. You’ll have to dust off the owner’s table.”

“Are they? Wonderful! I haven’t seen them in a couple weeks. I wish you could have come with them.”

“Well, maybe after we do the introduction thing.”

“You’re not freaking out about that, are you?”

He chuckled softly. “Not at all. I love you and you come with a big family.”

“So do you.”

“But my family isn’t close like yours.”

“Well, if you meet my family, I need to meet yours.”

“We can do that.” He hated to think of it, and he'd put it off as long as he could, but he could arrange it. “I’ll text you when the garage says the truck is ready.”

“Thank you for taking care of that for me.”

“Thank you for letting me help.” He glanced up as Patel knocked on his door. He held up a finger. “I’ve got to go, babe. Love you.”

“I love you, too. Bye.”

“Enter.”

Patel winced, “Cap, Fenton is in the parking lot and heading this way.”

“Wonderful.” He stood and rolled his shoulders. “Tell Lieutenant Theron to hold tight in the interview room with Mouse until the colonel leaves, please.” The unexpected drop-ins by his supervisor’s supervisor were getting old. But he’d grin and bear them until the team no longer reported to the asshole. Not that he had much of a choice.

Chapter 6

“Hey, Boss, call for you on line three,” Lola yelled from the front of the restaurant and Brie barely heard it above the noise of the kitchen that was in full prep for a booked night.

It had been great to visit with Brody, Amber, and Kyle, but now she was right in the middle of prep. She didn’t dare impede the chefs working in an orchestrated dance, but she was great at toting and fetching and keeping workstations cleared. She gave Lola a thumbs-up and moved a completed tray of desserts to the walk-in cooler before she trotted into her office and picked up the phone. “This is Brianna. May I help you?”

“You need to pay.” The voice was low and deep.

Brie stood up straight and swiveled to look into the kitchen, pushing her finger into her other ear so she could make out what the man said because there was no way she heard what she thought she heard. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you. What did you say?”

“The tire was a wake-up call and a warning.”

Her heart leapt into her throat, and she turned away from the door. “What are you talking about? A warning about what?”

“You need to pay. Wait for instructions.” The line went dead.

“Boss?”

With a yelp, she jumped and clutched her hands to her chest, spinning. “Oh shit, Roger, you scared the crap out of me!”

“Whoa, maybe less caffeine tomorrow?” He arched an eyebrow and nodded to where she had the phone cradled to her chest. “I just got a call from the butcher. He’s had issues with his walk-in cooler. We aren’t getting our order for the next three