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At the same time, the waitress came over, handing her change. “Thank you.” She turned to Trevor and smiled. “Too late, I already paid.”
Trevor laughed. “You’re sneaky. Dad’s not gonna like it.”
She didn’t bother answering him. They walked out and got into the car. The drive was about twenty minutes, and for the first time since she’d seen Trevor, he was quiet. Halfway home she glanced over to catch his eyelids drooping.
She pulled up the driveway, past the front of the house, and onto the side heading into the back. There was a small group of men gathered by the edge of her unit. She recognized them as Caden, Kase, and his biker friends. All four heads turned when she pulled in next to them. Trevor was out the door before she even turned off the engine. Just say hi and walk inside. She got out and felt all four sets of eyes on her.
“Like I said, I tried, but she paid before I got the chance, Dad.”
Marissa heaved her bag over her shoulder, and without looking at them, she chuckled. “I insisted, he had no choice.” She walked behind her car.
“And she even made me eat a salad.”
The masculine chuckles had her looking over, catching Kase with a smirk. The only one not smiling was Caden, who was staring at her. Not glaring or scowling but a hard face. She lowered her gaze and started toward the apartment. She smelled the smoke before realizing one of the bikers had come into her path, blocking her. She glanced up to the unfamiliar face.
“We haven’t met.” He grinned, and his blue eyes seemed thoroughly entertained. Unlike the other bikers in Kase’s club, this man seemed less intimidating though not in stature. He was as tall as the others, donning the same jacket with the Ghosttown Riders patch, but his features were less harsh. He didn’t seem to share the same glare as the other members. She cleared her throat and forced a smile. “I’m Marissa.”
He grinned with a slow nod, lifting his cigarette to his lips and taking a slow perusal of her body. When he glanced up, he winked. “I heard. Must be something special.” He lowered his voice, leaning forward. “Never did see the brothers go head to head.”
She stepped back and jerked her head to the men standing together. She sought out Cade, who was watching her. Then her gaze drifted to Kase. Why would they fight over her? Her bottom lip trembled.
“I’m Gage.”
She turned back to the man standing in front of her. It was all so confusing.
She clamped her lips and gazed up through her lashes. He continued his stare. She side-stepped him, but he mirrored her direction.
“What part of New York you from?”
She widened her eyes. It was no secret where she was from, however, no one had asked her details.
“Saw the license plate. Got a cousin lives up near Buffalo. You live close to there?”
“Uh, no, closer to the coast. Lake George.” Her cheeks heated. Why was she giving him details?
“Nice. Big fishing area, right? Not too far from the border.”
She nodded, unsure of what he was trying to do with his invasive questions. She bowed her head and glanced over to Caden, who was staring at her. Her gaze scanned the rest of the men. An uneasy tremble coursed through her blood. It seemed as though Gage was gathering information.
“You like it?”
She nodded.
He arched a brow. “Couldn’t have liked it that much if ya left, right?”
She gulped and dropped her gaze to the ground. She’d loved the area where she grew up and had no desire to move away until two years ago. However, she wasn’t about to tell him that.
Gage’s questions struck her as odd, as though he knew her answers before she spoke. Maybe he did. Kase’s suspicion of her was no secret. He’d made it clear, along with his disdain for her. Had the club looked into her? Her head shot up, and she widened her eyes. Did they know her past?
“Riss.”
She jerked her head in Caden’s direction. He lifted his chin. “Head inside.”
She nodded and skirted around Gage. She glanced up to find him smiling. “It was nice meeting ya, Riss. Maybe I’ll see ya again.”
She swallowed the lump in her throat. She was rethinking her initial assessment of him. He may not have looked the part of a dangerous biker, but she was getting the feeling she had read Gage wrong.
She drew in a breath. “Good night.” She rushed forward, pulling out her keys, and opened the door quickly before shuffling inside and locking the door.
