“You barely look old enough to drive.” It’s fun to humor him, and it certainly lifts some of the dark cloud I’ve been living under recently. But I probably shouldn’t encourage his behavior. Chaser won’t care about the kid’s age. If he finds him flirting with me, he’ll probably knock his teeth down his throat. “Either way, kid. I’m not available.”
He runs his hand over his chin and looks me up and down again. “That’s a shame—”
“Rock,” an older biker snaps. “What the fuck you doing, hittin’ on the future VP’s ol’ lady?” He glances down at me. “Sorry, sweetheart. I need to put a leash on this one.”
I smile, recognizing him as the enforcer for the Lost Kings. “Hey, Grinder, right?” I jerk my chin toward the kid. “So, how old is little Romeo here?” I tease.
“Rock,” the kid reminds me, as if I could forget. He gets cuffed on the side of the head by Grinder and a warning to be respectful.
“What’s up?” Chaser asks, slipping an arm around me.
I force a bright smile and pat his chest, making sure to flash my engagement ring. “Grinder was just introducing me to his…son?”
“My club sponsor,” Rock corrects. Behind him, Grinder shakes his head and glances at the ceiling.
“When you patching in, kid?” Chaser asks.
“Few years,” Grinder says. “Boy’s still got a lot to learn.”
I duck my head and chuckle. Chaser seems to pick up what was going down. He rumbles with laughter and reaches out to rough his hand over Rock’s head, drawing a scowl from the kid. Chaser leans in closer. “Seems you got lots of stuff to learn. Like, at least be old enough to shave before you hit on another man’s fiancée. Don’t you think?”
Rock holds up his hands. “Don’t have a cow, man.”
Grinder smacks the kid on the back of the head and Rock has the decency to blush. “Didn’t notice the ring,” he mutters. “No disrespect intended.”
Chaser
This kid probably deserves an ass-kicking. I’m too amused with his brashness to dish it out, though. Grown ass men hitting on her or being disrespectful absolutely require a beating. But Mallory seemed more amused than uncomfortable by the kid’s attention. Besides, what kind of pussy does it make me if I’m intimidated by some kid flirting with my ol’ lady?
Mallory reaches up and kisses my cheek. “I’m going to say hi to Alicia.” She smiles at Grinder and Rock. “I’ll catch you two later.”
“Sweet girl you got there, Chaser. Where’d you two meet?” Grinder asks. The words have the flavor of fatherly curiosity more than lechery, so I don’t take offense.
“In L.A.” I doubt Grinder knows or cares about my band, so I don’t bother explaining how we met.
Rock glances up at his mentor. “She’s the chick from the video where they turn the fire hose on—”
I bust out laughing. “That’s her. We met on the set of that video. No one warned her we’d be hosing her down with freezing cold water. Thought she was gonna cry.” I shrug and try to act casual about the day that changed my life for the better. “Tried to make it up to her by taking her for a ride.”
Grinder rocks back on his heels. “Back of the bike will do it every time.”
“Aren’t you on a tour right now?” Rock asks.
The question stops me cold. What a shit week. “Yeah. We had a little time off. Mallory wanted to visit. My dad needed some help around here.” I shrug.
“That’s cool.” Rock squints at me. “How you gonna be traveling with your band and be VP here?”
Grinder elbows the kid. “Mind your business.”
It’s a good question. One I can’t answer right now, even if I wanted to. The band’s had fun. Achieved some of what we set out to do.
I glance around the clubhouse. This will always be home. But I’m not sure if it’s where we’re meant to be right now.
My father opens the doors and motions for us to come inside the chapel. Grinder grips Rock’s shoulders and steers him toward the bar. “Don’t move,” he orders.
I’m holding in my laughter when Grinder returns. “He’s a bold little shit. What is he, fifteen? Sixteen?”
Grinder shakes his head. “Almost fourteen. Big for his age, so no one questions me ‘bout having him ‘round the club. Trying to keep him out of trouble. Thinks he’s Don-fucking-Juan ever since he nailed his babysitter.”
I burst out laughing. “Shit, are you sure the ol’ ladies are safe with him on the prowl?”