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“I was a kid. I don’t have a temper now.” I muttered and he rolled his eyes.
“Just because you can use that temper in a court room now, doesn’t mean it isn’t still there. But whatever helps you sleep at night brother.” He shrugged as I pulled up out the front of his place, the various bikes parked along the street telling me the boys were already camped out inside.
“Keep your nose clean, Tommy. Lay low for a while.” I said as he opened the door.
“I’ll just go hit the waves. Can’t get into trouble on the ocean.” He said with a wink, and I sighed as I watched my little brother walk into his beachside house.
Not his. I had to remember the house was the clubs. A club that ran in my blood as much as it did Tommy’s, even if I wasn’t involved any more.
I was lucky. I never truly got “in”, and my job gave me the luxury of keeping my distance but Tommy was a legacy member and the one who was supposed to take over when our dad died.
Satan’s Serpents had been his dream of a safe place for rough kids and now it was a rough place for safe kids to find a taste of the bad life.
But Tommy wouldn’t let go of Dad’s dream and he would continue to fight for it. I just hoped it didn’t end in his death too.
Eight
Riley
Iglanced at my watch and then at the door, waiting to see the blonde-haired woman who held my heart captive.
The woman who refused to see me as more than a friend and was an enigma to me even if I did know exactly how her coffee was made and the kind of treats she liked to eat.
She was late.
It was a rare thing for Katerina to run late or not show up at all, and I was a little worried. I could text her, but that would make me look desperate and I didn’t want to push her away.
I had known her for five years now and she knew practically everything there was to know about me, except that I was irrevocably in love with her.
Seeing her with that man had pulled out something inside me that I hadn’t expected… jealousy and courage.
I was intent on telling her the truth today, regardless of what that meant for me. I was done being the friendly coffee guy who exchanged casual chit-chat about our lives.
I wanted her to know the truth and I needed to have an answer of some sort in return before someone else like that guy who was fit as hell and totally suited for her, won her over.
I had everything prepared for Katerina’s coffee, I was just waiting to see that familiar blonde hair in the breeze to start the process.
“Hey, Riley. Do you want me to set up the tables for the booking later?” Ari asked as she walked up to the counter.
She was a sweet girl and had proven herself these past few days to be a hard worker. I had taken a risk hiring her, my finances in the café were already stretched and with bringing on the new manager too, I was hesitant but she had proven to be a solid investment.
“Thanks, kiddo. That would be great.” I said absently as she hurried off with a smile.
I glanced at the time again. Thirty minutes late.
She wasn’t coming. I picked up my phone, fingers itching to text her when I looked up and saw that guy's car pull up and Katerina get out.
Her eyes were hard and determined, telling me she was pissed about something.
The guy looked amused and interested as he hurried to open the door for her.
A gentleman as well. This guy was too perfect. I couldn’t compete with his figure, but I sure as hell was going to play to my knowledge of her life… or what I did know anyway.
I started making the coffee and glanced over at the pastries I had made earlier that day, deciding on the glazed jam donut as I placed it on a plate.
“Hey, Kit-Kat,” I called as she walked toward the counter past the few regulars who were always here this early.
“Riley.” She said with a nod and I glanced at the guy with her who smiled politely.
