Page 16 of Master's Rise

“She broke his fucking arm,” Web says like I missed it.

Finally, I move, pulling the screaming pussy away. “Yeah.” I throw him to Raid without looking back. My eyes never leave Seren. Her body relaxes and she looks up at me with that amused little smile on those perfectly bowed lips. She spent like four fucking seconds putting a hurt on the guy and is smiling at me?

“Where the fuck did you learn that and why did you need to sell the store?”

Her head tilts and the little smile is gone. “I would have lost the store, from no sales, if I kept it. I did tell you that. My dad had me in martial arts since I was a kid. I started Krav Maga in college because some men believe women are their right to take. I got a lot of that then. Thanks for dealing with this one. I don’t have time for this today. Dinner will be late if I don’t get the stock put up.” She’s serious and I’m hooked.

I note all the boxes out here and the hand truck just inside the door. “Jinx, get me two Prospects over here to help move stock. Make sure they get that Seren is protected.”

That little smile shows and her pretty blue eyes show me what happy looks like today.

“Roger. She’s a keeper, Boss. Is dinner for all of us?” Jinx has me laughing.

“The dinner is private. Good job getting the cameras in here, Web. Jinx, stop watching them and do your job.”

“Roger, Boss.”

“I’m on the side.” I take her hand and kiss her cheek. “I can help get them in until the Prospects show.”

My Brothers take over moving boxes leaving us to look at each other. “I like that you always show up with an army. No armor-plated suits today?”

Keeping her hand, I walk us inside. “No, we were having our Saturday morning ride and breakfast.” The place looks nice and smells clean, even in the back rooms.

“Aww. I did finish making the dough for the week. I would have made you pizza.” She’s cute.

“It sounds good. I stalked off having a tantrum three bites in, but I don’t want to spoil dinner.”

She laughs, stopping me in my tracks so I can watch. That look is so fucking stunning. What is it about this chick that every little look is amazing to me?

“Dinner isn’t pizza. Do you like chicken parmesan?”

“I do!” Web says and Raid pulls him to the back.

“Fucking Brothers. I do. Italian food is a favorite for us, but they’re not joining in on my dinner.”

“Follow me. I’ll get some pizzas made and you can tell me about the tantrum. The shelves are marked so they don’t need directions. I’m set up for teenage help.”

I follow like there’s a chain connecting us.

~*~*~

Seren

I’ve heard so much about Cortland Masters from Rex that he’s like a legend in my mind. Quoting famous people shows the intelligence that I’ve heard so much about. Today, he looks like he needs an ear to unload that woeful look he’s wearing.

While the men are funny, they aren’t really talking to him. He’s quiet and watchful when they come in.

“The Prospects are emptying the rest of the boxes,” Amos tells me.

“Thank you. You just lightened my schedule by half a day.”

He nods looking at the pizza but doesn’t comment. According to Rex, Cort is a good leader for the Club. No one would follow a tantrum-throwing jerk so far away. Cort brushed aside his explanation but he isn’t over it. The way the men are looking at their plates reminds me of a dog we had years ago. He knew when he was wrong and turned meek with ears and eyes downcast. I almost laugh at the comparison. These are big men like Rex’s brother Reed. Rex is no pigmy, but he isn’t as big as his twin was. To see them all looking like chastised puppies is funny.

“What’s the rest of your day look like?” I ask getting bored with the silence.

“I need to meet a Brother at three. He’s a new detective with the Sheriff’s office.”

A biker detective. Interesting. “Do you have a lot of Brothers in law enforcement?” Saying Brothers instead of men is a little odd.