Page 19 of Crusher

“Heeeeyy! What are you doing home so early?” I step into the hall, blocking the view of my room so he doesn’t see Landon standing inside.

Kyle glances down at his phone, with confusion etched on his face. “It’s 11:17.”

11:17! How’d it get so late?

I force out an awkward laugh. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize the time.”

“Are you okay? You’re acting weird.”

“Yeah, I’m good. I just…” My voice trails off when I feel the doorknob twist in my hand from the other side. It opens wider and all six feet, five inches of badass biker come to a stop behind me.

“Hey, kid,” Landon greets but Kyle remains quiet.

Most people are scared to death of the Enforcer for the Disciples. And even if they don’t know who he is, his size alone is enough to intimidate the shit out of anyone. My brother watches him with assessing eyes, his head slightly tilting with interest.

I panic in the silence. “He came over this morning,” I blurt, the words spilling out, and instantly regret them. Landon may appear somewhat put together, but I look thoroughly fucked. I’m wearing last night’s pajamas. And we’re coming out of my bedroom at almost noon. Anyone with a little bit of sense can tell Landon spent the night, but I’m hoping my brother isn’t old enough to know what’s going on.

“This morning?” Kyle scoffs. “I’m eleven, not stupid.”

So much for false hope.

Kyle drops his bag, crossing his skinny arms over his chest with a wary expression on his face. “Who are you, and what are your intentions with my sister?”

My jaw drops while Landon huffs out a snort behind me. I whip my head around to scowl at him, only to roll my eyes when I find him grinning from ear to ear, his gaze locked on my brother.

“I’m Crusher. I’m a good friend of your sister’s.” He mirrors Kyle’s stance.

“Friend? She hasn’t mentioned any new friends.”

I’m slightly dumbfounded, wondering when my brother started sounding so mature.

Landon shrugs. “She’s known me a little while. You must be the man of the house.”

Kyle puffs his chest at the acknowledgement, and I have to suppress my grin. “You’re one of those bikers I see around town sometimes, with the cool motorcycles?”

“I am. Been a Satan’s Disciple for as long as I can remember. Best kinda family a man could ask for. Maybe I’ll bring you over to the clubhouse sometime. Meet my brothers.”

Kyle’s eyes glimmer with excitement at the same time he tries to feign disinterest.

“You don’t seem too scared of me, huh?” Landon asks.

My brother appears to size up the biker, taking in the man’s height and massive physique before he confidently responds. “Because I’m not.”

Damn, I’m raising this kid right. I glance between the two of them, the air thickening as they stare each other down.

Then, Landon laughs, breaking their little stand-off. “You’re a good man. And you do a good job taking care of your sister.”

Kyle nods at the praise.

“I wanna take care of her too. I promise my intentions are completely honorable.” Crusher holds up his right hand as if making some kind of vow.

“Yeah, well, we’ll see about that,” Kyle mutters, looking away.

“And on that note, how about some breakfast?” I suggest as I clap my hands together once, my words sounding much cheerier than I feel. “Everybody downstairs.”

“Good. I’m starving,” Kyle declares before grabbing his bag from the floor and rushing to his bedroom.

I practically sprint down the steps with Landon hot on my heels, but he halts at the landing when his phone starts to ring.

---