“You should know better than to give orders to me, Jez. What’s going on here? Why am I feeling tension? This guy giving you trouble, Kieran?” he gestured at Derek.
“No. Nothing like that. Just a mix-up with the bookings.”
“You’re not a very good liar, Kieran. Is this the guy who gave you the bruises?”
“What bruises?” said Derek, with a flash of anger. “Has someone hurt you?”
“Did I give you permission to speak?” said Grant.
“No, it wasn’t him,” said Kieran, feeling embarrassed that Derek now knew about it.
“I can see you’re telling the truth, Kieran. How about I deal with this guy for you, and you can thank me by having dinner with me later?”
“No,” said Derek, with a growl in his tone.
“Oh. It’s like that, is it?” said Grant with a smile. “I don’t think Kieran’s interested in you, old man. Are you interested, Kieran?”
“No. It’s nothing like that. We just... we just know each other from years ago. That’s all... there’s nothing like that. I just... it’s personal stuff.”
Why the fuck was he blabbering? There was something about Grant that made him nervous. Was it because he was hot? Possibly. But more likely because he was a mob boss and had probably killed people. At least that’s what rumours online were saying. Kieran may have gone down a bit of a wormhole of research when he learned who Grant was. Whathe still didn’t understand was why he was in the shop all the time. How did Jez know him?
“Well, now you’ve got me intrigued, Kieran. How about you tell me what’s going on over dinner? I’m sure I’ll be able to help you with your...” He looked Derek up and down. “Problem.”
“He’s not going out for dinner withyou,” said Derek.
“And who the fuck are you to have an opinion?” asked Grant.
“I’m his stepdad.”
Brilliant. Now everyone was going to know his business. He noticed it had gotten quieter in the shop, but didn’t look around to see if anyone else was listening in. They probably were. Everyone was a nosy bastard in this place.
“If you’re his stepdad, then why am I sensing a lot of hostility coming off Kieran?” asked Grant. “Have you upset this sweet boy?”
“That’s none of your business. It’s a private matter between me and Kieran. You just need to keep away from him,” Derek snarled.
Was he insane? Why was arguing with a gangster for fuck’s sake. Grant chuckled and didn’t look at all bothered by Derek’s words.
“Why don’t we ask Kieran?” said Grant.
Great. Perhaps they could just not involve Kieran in this entire conversation, and everyone could fuck off and leave him alone. Not something he would say aloud, though. His boss would sack him. Grant would do God knew what, and as for Derek... yeah, that wasn’t a stone he was kicking over. The way he’d been all growly about the idea of Grant taking him out for dinner had made Kieran’s mind wander to an inappropriate place.
“I just want to get back to work.”
“That’s not an answer, Kieran. Do you want me to escort yourstepdadout of the shop and make sure he doesn’t botheryou again, or are you going to do whatever he came in here for?”
Kieran didn’t want to do either of those things. “Is there a third option?”
Grant laughed. “Well, you can have dinner with me for starters. I’m sure Jez will let you finish early.”
“Yes, of course,” said Jez. There was a tremor in his voice, which Kieran had never heard before.
Kieran needed to say something before things escalated, but all the offers on the table were of no interest to him. Would it be a big deal if he went for dinner with Grant? Should he listen to what Hassan said and just hear Derek out?
“Derek, give me your number and I’ll call you.”
Derek looked surprised but quickly put it into Kieran’s phone. He saw him text himself, because of course he did. Grant watched the exchange with a smirk on his face. Once that was done, Derek didn’t move.
“I think that’s your cue to leave, gramps,” said Grant. “Or I can escort you?”
