“Motherfucker,” Kam rasped, sitting forward in his seat and glaring at the tow truck ready to hook up Glory’s car. Tanner had barely slowed the truck before Kam was out, anger carrying him forward in long strides.
Having already spotted him, the startled truck driver tried to get it in gear to drive forward, but Tanner had the foresight to block him in.
Kam reached the truck, jerked the door open, and around the cringing driver, he grabbed the keys.
“Hey,” the driver said. “You can’t—”
When Kam’s glare landed on him, the driver raised his hands. “I’m just here for a job.”
The job of stealing Glory’s car? “Did she give you permission?”
“No, but he did.”
Just then, Mike stepped forward and said, “Kam, hey. It’s good to see you again.” He’d come around the back of the tow truck, all smiles, as if he hadn’t been trying to manipulate Glory again.
Fighting the urge to remove Mike’s smile with his fist, Kam got to his first question. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
Confusion filled Mike’s expression. “Why are you angry?” Then with dawning horror, “My God. Did something happen with Glory? Is she okay?”
Taken aback by that reaction, Kam clenched and unclenched. “Glory is fine.” Better than fine; she was safe with family. “Did you have permission to move her car?”
Blowing out a deep sigh of relief, Mike slumped against the tow truck. “Don’t scare me like that. The way you were acting—”
“Answer my question.”
With a conspiratorial smile, Mike leaned toward him. “I was going to surprise her. You know how women are. They don’t want to have to deal with stuff like this.”
That sentiment mirrored his own a little too closely for Kam to correct him, but he did say, “Glory is resilient. She’d have figured it out.” Studying the other man, Kam watched for any telltale signs of deception. “As it happens, she doesn’t need to—and she doesn’t need your help. I’m here to take care of it for her.”
“Oh?” Mike’s smile tightened. “She gaveyoupermission?”
No, she hadn’t, but only because he hadn’t asked. Now, of course, he realized he should have. He’d apologize for that as soon as he saw her. For now, he just fudged things a bit. “I had to come for my car anyway.”
“But I already have the tow truck. Jones has been paid and he’s ready to handle it.” Arrogantly generous, Mike offered, “I’ll even have him come back for your car, if you’d like.”
“No thanks. It’s already handled.”
“But—” The rebuttal dropped off when his attention caught on something—or someone—behind Kam’s shoulder.The way Mike fell back a step was a clear sign that Tanner had joined them.
Looming large and angry, Tanner asked, “Is it already hooked up?”
“No, but in another minute or two, it would’ve been gone.”
Jones said, “I haven’t touched it, I swear!”
“Count yourself lucky.” Tanner stepped up alongside Kam. “This is the guy?”
Somewhat recovered, Mike lifted his eyebrows. “The guy? If you mean Glory’s boyfriend, then yes, I’m the guy.”
Tanner made a rude sound. “Odd that she’s never mentioned you. Even odder that she’d dodge you.” He took another step forward. “But she won’t have to do that anymore, right?”
Far as threats went, Tanner’s was clear. Kam scowled. Damn it, he could handle Mike on his own. To Tanner, he said, “See what’s keeping Liam. I’ve got this.”
Reluctantly, Tanner stepped toward his truck to make the call.
Knowing he wouldn’t have much time, not with the way his “big brother” liked to oversee things, Kam moved toward Mike. “Let’s talk.”
Amicable in the extreme, Mike smiled and followed along. “Of course.”
