Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83786 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83786 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
“What’s wrong?” I asked, moving a little closer.
“It doesn’t make any sense,” Dad said, his voice low as he shook his head.
“It looks cut, man,” Bas insisted. “This isn’t normal wear and tear, and we would’ve seen it before if there was a weak spot in the line.”
“What’s going on?” I asked again.
“You got someone after you?” Dad asked with a huff. “Cuttin’ your power steerin’ line?”
“Yes,” I said with mock seriousness. “I should’ve told you. I’m an assassin, and I’m on the run from a shadow organization. They’ve found me.”
Dad chuckled.
“Why the hell would anyone do something to my car?” I asked doubtfully. “I did borrow it from the club, though. You have something you want to tell me?”
“I’m the head of the shadow organization,” Dad said dryly. “Boo.”
I grinned as he looked back at the car.
“So, I’m guessing this won’t be a quick fix?”
“Nope.”
“Uh, do you think I could take one of the other cars?” I asked hopefully.
Bas shook his head. “We need to check the others.”
“Well, shit,” I complained. “I mean, I guess it’s better that it happened to me and not a customer, right?”
“Fuck no,” my dad said, his back to me as he leaned in to mess with something under the hood. “Who cares about those assholes?”
I walked over and sat down on a rolling stool while they kept messing with the car. They’d figured out what was wrong with it, so I wasn’t sure what they were doing, but I wasn’t in any hurry. It’s not like I had anything else going on.
Eventually they stepped away from the car, and Dad wiped his hands with a rag before striding to the other end of the garage. He disappeared from view just as he lifted his phone to his ear.
I twisted back and forth on the stool as Bas headed toward a sink in the back to wash his hands. I wondered if they had cameras in the garage that were catching me staring at him as he bent a little at the waist to rinse off his forearms. It was so quiet that I had the inappropriate urge to wolf whistle.
Chapter 6
Harper
“Bas is gonna take you home,” Dad announced, striding toward me. “I need to stay here a bit longer, and I don’t want you waitin’.”
“I don’t mind waiting.” I wasn’t sure when he’d asked Bas to drive me home, considering the man was still drying off his hands across the room.
“You’re not invited to wait,” he said, not unkindly.
I nodded in understanding. While I’d grown up in and around the Aces compound, and I could call on any of its members if I needed them, there were some things that I would never be a part of. Club business would never be my business.
“Lily’s helmet’s in the office,” Dad called out to Bas. “Grab it, will you?”
“Thanks for coming to get me,” I said, standing up. “Sorry it was such a hassle.”
“That’s my job,” Dad said, wrapping his arm over my shoulders. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“I think it felt a lot more dramatic than it actually was,” I said ruefully as he led me outside.
“Harp, if you’d have panicked, our night would be goin’ a lot different than it is now,” he replied. “Nothin’ wrong with bein’ shaken up.”
“All’s well that ends well, right?”
He squeezed my shoulders. “You good with Bas drivin’ you home?”
I rolled my eyes as we came to a stop next to Bas’s bike.
“I swear to God, you guys are worse than the women.”
“Not sure what you’re talkin’ about.”
“I’m fine with Bas driving me home.”
“That kid must’ve broken every law to get to you before your brother did,” he said quietly. “Somethin’ to think about.”
“Are you matchmaking right now?” I hissed, glancing at the garage.
“Hell no,” he argued. “You’re gonna be single until you’re thirty-five.” He paused. “That’s when you’ll join the order.”
I burst out laughing. “I’m not going to be a nun.”
“Now, don’t make any hasty decisions.”
“We’re not even Catholic.”
“I’m happy to convert.”
I just shook my head.
“What? Gramps was Catholic. I’m sure I got some passed down.” He crossed himself. “See? I’ve got the moves.”
“You’d probably burst into flames,” I said as Bas came striding out of the garage. “The holy water would burn you like acid.”
“They give you wine, though,” Dad joked, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “And on Sunday morning, no less.”
“You’re going to hell.”
“Probably,” Dad said, leaning forward to peck me on the forehead. “But I doubt this conversation will be the reason.” He looked over at Bas. “Get her home safe.”
“Plan on it,” Bas replied.
“Love you,” Dad said as he walked away. “See you at home.”
“Love you too,” I called back. I turned to look at the helmet Bas was holding and sighed.
I hated wearing a helmet. I knew that they were nonnegotiable. I knew that they’d keep my brain inside my head if something happened. I knew that they saved lives.