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“Hattie, sweetie, you came this close to spending the rest of your life married to a man who bored you to death. It’s my job to remind you that the smoking hot, sexy biker with the tattoos and the bad attitude dropped to his knees and worshiped you today. Don't let that man slip through your fingers.”

I bit the inside of my cheek, but I failed to hide the smile that spread across my face and the pleased blush that warmed my cheeks at the memory.

“Now,” Connie went on. “Please tell me this means you’re staying in Brightwater forever, because it breaks my heart every time I have to take you back to the airport.”

I sighed.

“I need to talk to Neil first. And I have to pack up my things, take care of the lease on my apartment…”

It was strange how fast my life had turned upside down. Two weeks ago, visiting Neil in the hospital, I never dreamed I would be moving back here. But it felt good. It felt right.

I couldn’t wait to come home.

Chapter fifteen

Kingpin

Emerging from the courthouse into the bright afternoon sunlight, I met Big G on the stairs. He fell into step beside me as we headed for our bikes.

“Credence took off about a minute ago,” he said. “Got a lead on Barber’s location. Blackbeard and Gatling went with him. Hot Shot and Spike are on call, in case they need back up. Tex had a family emergency—nothing serious—so Spike is taking his place.”

I nodded.

“Good. Give Vlad a heads up, just in case. Barber might go ape shit once he realizes we’re hunting him down.”

Big G pulled his phone out and started texting. I retrieved my helmet from my bike and strapped it on, thinking about Hattie’s fading taste on my tongue.

Now that she’d given her testimony in court, she didn’t need to stay in Brightwater any longer. She might stick around until the trial was over, just to see what the verdict was.

On the other hand, she might be eager to get back to Seattle. Put this whole thing behind her…

I’m glad you were here.

No, Hattie wasn’t leaving me again. Not this time. I could feel it.

Big G and I made our way back to the clubhouse. This late in the afternoon, activity had picked up, with customers lining the bar. Nearly every table was taken. Crash was behind the bar, slinging drinks as fast as he could. Since we were in between bartenders at the moment, we shared the responsibility of serving drinks among the club.

That didn’t mean Crash was one of us. Like Big G said, the kid didn’t say no.

For the most part, the clubhouse was primarily for Blackjack use. But opening up the bar to the public brought in money, and we could always use some extra cash in our pocket.

“Get me a whiskey, would you?” I said to Big G. “I’m taking a leak.”

“Sure.” He rapped his knuckles on the bar to get Crash’s attention. “Hey, kid. Two shots of whiskey.”

“Get it yourself, I’m busy,” Crash shot back.

I glanced at Big G, raising my eyebrows. He let out a low whistle as he slid behind the bar.

“Sounds like someone is developing an attitude. A Prospect doesn’t talk to his superiors like that.”

“But I’m not your Prospect. You’re just jerking me around for shits and giggles.”

“As I recall, you’re the one who keeps hoping you’ll get a different answer if you’re obnoxious enough about it,” Big G pointed out.

“Fine,” Crash grumbled. “I’m gone.”

He stormed out of the bar, shoved the door open, and vanished into the bright sunlight.