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He lets out a boisterous laugh that’s so fake he should have a green ring around his throat. “They have no idea, and it’s up to us to show them the way, Tom. I’m going to set her up with Petey McGillis, he’s a decent man, and more importantly, he’s going places.”
I roll my eyes and stifle a grunt at his so-called plans. There’s no way in hell I would even have a coffee with hide-your-drink McGillis. If he even attempts to do some matchmaking, I’ll make sure he knows it. I’m just about to finish the trip down the staircase when mindless chitchat turns to something more serious.
“Look, Tom, those guys don’t actually own the Port. They may think they do, but they don’t. If someone else, like your Mr. Santos, wants to make a play for more space, he has every right. Especially if he has the money to do it. And if the other ones get out of hand, we’ll get the police involved.”
My brows furrow at his words. Words I never heard come from my father’s mouth. He’s an investment banker, not a mobster, but anyone overhearing this conversation wouldn’t know the difference.
“I’m not afraid of a bunch of thugs, Tom.”
I close my eyes as thoughts collide. The Port. Coop lives near the Port, and I overheard his friend Shades say something about the Port at the shop. I don’t know a Mr. Santos, but I know that Tom is Tom Delaney, the Port Director. The main reason Daddy took the position on the Port Commission.
“Shit,” I whisper to myself, unsure what, if anything, I should do with this information.
Luckily my phone buzzes in my bag, and my feet finally start moving. Ruby’s outside, and I make a lot of noise on my way down the stairs to make sure Daddy doesn’t suspect me of eavesdropping.
“Going out, Daddy. See you later!” I rush out the door before he pretends to be interested in my life again.
“Hey Rubes,” I call loudly, “you look great.”
She smiles and strokes a hand down her silky hair. “Thanks, babe, but you’re going to cause trouble tonight in that outfit.”
“Fingers crossed,” I tell her with a giggle.
Ruby reverses out of the driveway and gives me another look. “Where are we going tonight, anyway?”
“A party. Sort of. But it’s not a college party.”
Ruby’s shoulders sink in relief. “Oh, good. I could use some real men in my life. Who do you know that’s having a party?”
“The MC has been going through a lot of shit lately, and Ace, that’s the Reckless Souls President, wants everyone to have clear heads for whatever comes next. Or something like that.”
Those are Coop’s words, not mine. I try not to ask for too many details because I probably shouldn’t know, and as much as I want to, I probably shouldn’t even want to know.
“Sounds ominous,” Ruby says and stops at the first liquor store on the way to what Coop calls their clubhouse. She returns in minutes with a bottle of tequila and a smile. “Can’t show up to a party empty-handed.”
“Such a grownup,” I tease.
“Or maybe I just want a brand new bottle in case any hottie bikers want to do body shots from my cleavage. Or my pussy.”
We laugh together, and I shake my head. “Bad girl.”
“Here’s to hoping,” she says and pulls into the spacious parking lot behind Ace Motors and Angel Harbor Choppers before killing the engine.
We stand in front of two giant doors with a winged skeleton head carved into them, and I turn to Ruby. “Do we knock or just go inside?”
She shrugs. “I’m not up on my biker etiquette, Kels.”
“Smartass,” I reply with a smile that turns to a gasp as the door opens to reveal Coop, sexy in a plain back tee and worn jeans that hang low on his hips.
“Coop. Lookin’ good.”
He flashes a crooked smile and yanks me up against his chest. “That’s my line. Hey.”
“Hey,” I say back, my voice breathless with arousal.
He greets my friend without looking away from me. “Hey, Ruby.”
“Hi, Coop. Please don’t tell me this is a party for two?”
He laughs at her question and takes a step back, motioning for both of us to come inside. Instantly, I’m hit with the sounds of music and laughter.
“No, just about everyone is here. Come on.”
He takes my hand and doesn’t let it go as we enter what looks like a regular bar, except it’s clear this place is only for members of Reckless Souls MC. Flags, sculptures, neon signs, leather vests, all bearing their name and logo decorate the place. Like an inner sanctum or some other sacred space.
“Whoa,” Ruby says with awe in her voice. “Holy hotness. Are these guys all part of your little club?”
“Yep.” Coop smiles and leads us to a group of men in nearly identical vests, talking in a small circle. “Guys, this is Kelsey and her friend Ruby.”
