Page 63 of Riding Bare

I’m done waiting, though.

“I like the sound of that,” I murmur.

“We got a job coming up next week.”

“Yeah?” I ask.

He shrugs a shoulder, his gaze on mine as his lips curve up into a slow smile, a devious one. Hippie is our brother, all about peace, love, and fire. He’s definitely not the one who proposes violence as the first round of defense.

He dips his chin in a single nod, his gaze never leaving mine, then tilts his head to the side. His eyes search mine for a moment before he clears his throat and begins to speak. Next, he tells me about the building that is set to catch fire next week.

I already know about it—I signed the contract. But as he speaks, he adds that this fucker is going to die inside.

“It’s The Site. Five stories, a hundred and forty thousand square feet of office space, balcony view of the strip. It’s an amazing building. It’s really a shame that it’s going to go up in flames, but the owners can’t make the payment. They only have a quarter of the building occupied, and they haven’t been able to lock down the rest.”

“And where does Samuil fit into all this?” I ask.

His shoulder lifts in a single, small shrug. Then he chuckles. “That’s where I leave it up to you, brother. Whatever you need, you got my help.”

Well, I guess I better get brainstorming.

CHAPTER

FIFTY

CHASSIS

“Why would I leave my husband, and where do you propose I go?” I ask.

I ignore the bitch at his side, but she’s focused on me as if I’m the only person in the world. I wish I could reach out and grab her hair, hold her still, and beat the absolute hell out of her.

I won’t do it, even though I really want to.

I’m not going to jeopardize my baby’s health and safety for this snake bitch, even though I would love to wipe that smirk off her face.

“I don’t care where you go. Just go away,” Samuil states.

“So you don’t want me, don’t want our son, but you don’t want him to have me, either?”

My brother grunts, stepping up beside me. If I glanced down at his hand, I would likely see his fingers balled into a fist at his side. I’m embarrassed all over again, re-humiliated. I didn’t even think this asshole could make me feel any lower, but here he is, proving himself an even bigger asshat.

“I don’t give a fuck who has you, Chassis. You’re under the impression that you matter at all to me, or in this scenario. You don’t. This is about controlling the club. I want that man weak and distracted. You are his weakness.”

“What are you going to do?” I ask in a whisper.

He doesn’t respond immediately, but Rocky decides that this is her opportunity to speak. She takes a step toward me, her focus on me and only me. Gauge doesn’t even exist to her—and it’s only because she wants to be a cunt.

I’ll let her, but only because I want to get to the bottom of all this. I want to know what he’s trying to accomplish. I’ll leave after I find that out. I’ll walk away and never look back as long as I know that Amos is going to be safe.

“Why do you give a fuck?” Rocky hisses. “Dare won’t be lonely. I promise you that much.”

I want to punch her square in the face. If I thought I could and she wouldn’t retaliate, I would, but this bitch would take a cheap shot straight to my stomach. She’s just fucking janky.

I ignore her, don’t even look at her. I keep my focus on the asshole, Samuil. He’s the only one here who matters, or needs to think that he does, anyway.

He watches me, and I can’t help but wonder what he’s thinking. I can’t imagine pretending to understand how a man like him works.

In the silence, Samuil stares at me, and I try to show him absolutely nothing. I’m not sure if I’m successful. I have no doubt he can see right through me.