Page 124 of Control Freak

I sucked in a breath. “Even if I’m putting you or your family at risk? Even if it’s endangering Bailey?”

His jaw clenched. His baby brother was a soft spot. It had been cruel of me to poke it. But I needed him to understand what was really at stake.

“I don’t want anyone in danger,” he said. “I’ll fix it so none of us have to worry again. I don’t care what it takes. I’ll sell my car to come up with some cash or something.”

“You can’t do that. You love this car.”

“Not as much as I love you,” he said. “We’ll get them to back off, or we’ll pay them, but we’re getting your life back.”

He was so sure. I had to admire his confidence. And to be honest, I needed the reassurance. His loyalty, even as I brought a mess into his life, touched me.

“Okay,” I said softly. “Let’s go inside and have that drink while we figure it out.”

CHAPTER 30

Holden

The interiorof Ball Breakers was dim, even at 3:00 in the afternoon, with shades pulled over all the windows. I scanned the pool hall for the two guys outside Shiloh’s school, though I couldn’t imagine how they would have slipped past us. But there was no sign of them among the handful of customers who had wandered in so early in the day.

A couple of young guys—too young to drink, by the looks of it—were playing a game of pool. A pub table behind them held a basket of fries and two glasses of soda.

Three grizzled older men, graying beards, leathers and all, sat at the bar. I was pretty sure I recognized one of them as a biker who’d come to the shop for Gray’s services. The Harleys in the parking lot must belong to them.

A middle-aged couple sat eating a meal at a table against the far wall.

Otherwise, the place was empty.

I let out a breath of relief and turned to Shiloh. “I’ll go order a couple of drinks. Do you want anything to eat?”

He shook his head, grimacing. “I don’t have much of an appetite.”

“All right. Pick out a table. Try to think positive thoughts. Dalton will be here soon.”

He forced a smile. “Too bad Bailey’s not here, huh? He could probably teach those kids a thing or two at the pool table.”

“Or at least relieve them of some cash,” I said, eliciting a small laugh.

My chest warmed. That’s what I needed to see. Shiloh was going to get through this, and then I’d make him smile every day. If I could, I’d make him forget all about these jackasses who were making his life so difficult.

Shiloh headed for a table, and I walked over to the bar. Leo nodded to me from his place behind the bar.

“A little afternoon delight?”

I blinked at his audacity to suggest I was going to sex up Shiloh. “Uh…”

“The beer, Cross. I meant the fucking beer. Middle of the day isn’t usually your style.”

“Ah.” I chuckled awkwardly. “Right. Yeah, I guess we’re just here because we need a distraction.”

Leo’s thick, bushy eyebrows drew together. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” I said. “Hopefully, anyway. We just, uh…need to keep a low profile for a few minutes.”

He frowned. “I don’t want any trouble in my bar. I’m just recovered from fucking Axel brawling in here.”

“Come on. You know me. Am I the fighting type?”

“No.” He seemed relieved. “You usually keep the others in line. All right, what will you have to drink?”