Page 178 of After the Burn

His mouth curled. “Still mouthy.”

I shrugged, but didn’t comment. He looked older than the last time I’d seen him. Harder. Leaner. The months trying to survive must have been rough on him.

Hooking up with a lowlife like Caesar was right up his alley.

“I was out looking for you,” he grinned. “After I got your description and learned the escaped woman was enhanced, I knew it had to be Taryn Calder.”

“How astute of you.” I drawled, trying to give the impression I wasn’t freaking out.

His presence might complicate things. Nash would be more likely to keep a closer eye on me than Caesar would.

“Where’s that boy of mine?” He rubbed a finger down the scar on his face. “I owe him some payback.”

I hardened my expression. “I have no idea. We split after everything went down at Gideon’s.”

“I seriously doubt that.” Nash threw his head back and laughed. “That boy has his nose so far up your ass, there’s no fucking way he’d let that happen.”

“Believe what you want.” I shrugged. “I could give a shit less.”

“We’ll see soon enough.” He ran a finger along one of the bars covering my window. “Until then, maybe I’ll find out what’s so special about that split between your legs.”

I put my face right up to the bars and bared my teeth. “I’d kill you first.”

Nash flinched slightly but covered it with a quick smile. “You can try. Dear old Ben would be proud of that show of toughness from his little girl.” It was his turn to wink. “Too bad you’ll never get to hear it from him.”

My heart kicked once. Hard. But I refused to show my distress. “Is that supposed to hurt me?”

His eyes searched my face. “That cold look doesn’t fool me.”

Something shifted behind him, and I saw it was Caesar entering the garage. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Nash glanced back. “Catching up with my boy’s old lady.”

“You can get your ass away from her.” Rather than being protective, his tone was marked by possessiveness.

Nash chuckled. “Relax. We’re just talking.”

“I said move, don’t make me tell you again.”

Nash straightened and backed away holding up his hands. “No problem, boss.”

Caesar turned his head and regarded me pensively. “She’s your son, Beck’s ,woman?”

“That’s the one.” Nash nodded.

Recognition sharpened his face. “The big bastard from Gideon’s place?”

Nash’s face took on a strangely proud look. “That’s him.”

“That boy is fierce. One of my men saw his fight with Mace and said it was a bloodbath.” Caesar looked thoughtful. “He’d make a great addition to our outfit.”

“You’d have to use the bitch to keep him in line.” Nash pulled a cigarette from his jacket and lit up, taking a long drag. “Otherwise, he’d be more trouble than he’s worth.”

“Something to consider.” Caesar shrugged. “Isn’t there some info you were supposed to bring me the minute you got back?”

Nash’s jaw flexed.

It was clear to me that he didn’t appreciate being an underling. I might be able to use that.