Page 69 of Resist

I furrowed my brow at him and stepped back.

“Who’s Vince?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“The dude on the phone.”

“None of your business.”

“Helena—”

“Don’t you dare stand there as if you’re entitled to know who I liaise with.”

“I became entitled the moment you came all over my hand.”

I grabbed hold of his t-shirt and yanked him around the corner. “What the hell is wrong with you? People can hear—”

“I don’t care. LET THEM HEAR—”

“Shut up. Stop yelling.” I clenched my fists. “Sometimes, I could strangle you.”

“Then do it. I’ll take it. I’ll take anything if it means you will touch me again.”

The pain-filled plea in his eyes tightened my chest because, deep down, I, too, wanted to feel his touch; I’d been avoiding it while fantasizing about it for over a week.

Sighing, I grazed his face with the knuckle of my finger. “Not here, not now.”

“Then when?”

“Lucas, please—”

“Who’s Vince?”

“My bloody mechanic,” I snapped, dropping my hand. “If you must know, he’s just organized one hell of a surprise for you and the rest of the guys, namely Baz.”

“Huh?”

I groaned and brushed past him to head back into the restaurant, stopping when I reached our table. “Right. Everyone, come with me.”

Cori paused, her spoon of muesli midway to her mouth. Matt put down his phone, and the rest of them just stared but continued eating.

“What … now?” Patsy asked.

“Yep. I have a surprise.”

Baz looked longingly at the mug in his hands. “Can I finish my coffee?”

“No. Trust me, you of all people are going to want to see this.”

They all exchanged questioning glances then reluctantly pushed their chairs out from the table and followed me to the lobby. As I opened the glass doors to the hotel entrance, I spied the monstrous bus parked outside and could no longer hide my elation.

“Meet Bertha II,” I announced, gesturing to the white Mercedes Benz beast.

Baz’s eyes nearly bulged from his head, so I squeezed his scrawny shoulders. “She’s been reborn.”

Brad backhanded his brother’s arm. “No fucking way?”

“Wow!” Cori exclaimed, her mouth wide open.