Page 24 of Taking What's Ours

“Right.” We walk to his place, and his phone goes off.

He looks at the screen, then disconnects the call and sends a text.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

He glances over. “What? Oh, yeah. Just a buddy of mine wondering if I’m back in town. He wants to get together.”

“You should totally go. I still have some unpacking to do,” I lie.

“You sure? I hate to leave you alone.”

“I have Rosie. I’ll be fine. Right? I mean, your neighborhood seems safe.”

“It is.”

“Then you should see your friend.”

“Okay. If you’re sure.”

When we reach his house, I head toward the small apartment, and he heads inside.

I’m at the closet hanging some shirts when I hear the garage door below me go up. A moment later, I hear a motorcycle roar off, but by the time I get to the window, Dylan is gone.

CHAPTER SIX

Baja—

I roll down the side street to the burger place, back my bike next to Trez’s, and make my way to the table where he, Utah, and Memphis sit.

Trez pulls the drink straw he’s chewing on from his mouth and grins. “Was that the blushing bride?”

I take a seat and lean my elbows on the table, folding my arms. “Her name’s Elaina.”

His brow lifts at my sharp tone.

Memphis frowns. “What bride?”

Trez lifts his chin toward me. “He went home for his brother’s wedding and came back with Elliott’s bride.”

“No shit?” Utah says. His chair is tipped back, but with Trez’s remark he slams the front legs on the floor. “Wait a minute. This the brother you can’t stand? Didn’t you say you wanted to ruin his wedding?”

Trez replies for me with a grin. “Mission accomplished, I’d say.”

“You dog,” Memphis adds.

“Knock it off, all of you. She’s a sweet girl.”

“And you saved her from a life with your asshole brother. Way to go.” Trez holds his hand up for a high-five, and I reluctantly give it to him.

“So, what was with all that shit earlier? Waving us off like you didn’t want her to know.” Utah shoves a fry in his mouth.

“Because I don’t. She doesn’t know anything about the club. I haven’t told her. And that’s the way I want to keep it. Trez was supposed to tell everyone to stay away, not show up two minutes down the road from my place.”

“Whoops.” Trez grins wickedly.

“Oh, man,” Utah mutters, shaking his head. “How long you think that’s gonna work?” He nods to my cut. “Didn’t she just see you ride out in that?”

“Nah. She was unpacking. I roared out of there pretty fast.” I reach across the table and steal one of Trez’s onion rings.