Page 6 of Claimed By the Bikers

“Who was that?” I ask, though I’m not sure I want to know.

“Tina from the auto shop. She’s been dropping hints for weeks.” He settles into his chair with a satisfied grin. “Figured I’d finally take her up on it.”

“On the kitchen counter where we eat?”

“I cleaned it.”

I shake my head and take a long pull from my beer. “Silas called earlier. He’s extended his stay in New Orleans another week. Something about his contact needing more time to arrange the documentation.”

“That’s what, three weeks now?”

“Four. But the papers he’s getting are worth the wait. Clean identities don’t come cheap or fast. I hired a new waitress today.”

“About time. What’s she like?”

“Ember Collins. Twenty-four, supposedly from Phoenix. Starts tomorrow night.”

“Supposedly?”

I lean back against the couch cushions. “Something feels off about her. Can’t put my finger on it, but she answered questions too smoothly, like she’d practiced her responses.”

“Maybe she really needs the job and didn’t want to blow the interview.”

“Maybe.” I finish my beer and set the bottle on the coffee table. “Just keep an eye on her. Observe how she handles customers and interacts with the staff. Trust your instincts.”

“It’s what I do.” Garrett’s expression grows serious. “You think she’s trouble?”

“Don’t know yet. But I’ve learned to be suspicious of coincidences, especially when they involve attractive women showing up right when we’re expecting sensitive shipments.”

Garrett grins and sits up straighter in his chair. “Attractive, you say?”

“Down, boy. Don’t even start.”

He throws his hands in the air. “I haven’t even said anything.”

“Sure you haven’t, but I know that look.”

“What look?”

“The one you put on when you’re ready to chase anything attractive in a skirt. We have rules about our staff.”

“Rules are meant to be broken.”

“Not this one. Keep it professional.”

“Fair enough. I’ll watch her.”

“Good. I’m heading to bed. Try to keep the noise down if Tina comes back.”

“You know you’re welcome to join us, right? She’s made it clear she’s interested in meeting my brothers.”

I pause at the bottom of the stairs. “I’m not sharing another woman with you unless it feels right. Your Tina’s sweet, but she’s not the type for us.”

“No promises on keeping quiet then.”

Evening rush at Wolf’s Den starts early on Wednesday nights. By four o’clock, most of the tables are occupied.

Rico appears at my shoulder, sliding onto the stool beside me with the kind of casual movement that suggests he’s got information.