Page 3 of Idaho

"Got a few minutes?" I asked.

The muscle in Lock's jaw flexed as he ground his teeth together. "Yeah. Follow me."

Downing the rest of the liquid in my glass, I winked at Kit. "Thanks for the drink."

"Who the fuck is he winking at?" The mountain still standing at the bar snarled.

"Hell, relax," she said as I passed by them.

"Been here ten minutes and you're already causing trouble," Lock said as he led me back down the hall again. "Why do you always fucking have to do that?"

"It's what I'm good at," I told him with a shrug.

His string of curses made me smile as we walked. I'd missed this. Missed him. He didn't know it yet, but I had every intention of repairing the rift between us and sticking around.

CHAPTER 2

Idaho

As I sat down, both Static and Riptide pushed their way into the room, past Lock, who was trying to shut the door. Shaking my head, I grinned as I watched my brother interact with his friends. He'd changed so much over the years, and yet was still so much the same. I wondered what things would be like if we hadn't been estranged for ten years.

"You two sure you want to do this?" Lock growled out, glaring at them. "You're already in deep shit."

"It's not Static's fault," Riptide admitted as they moved farther into the room. "I was the one who ordered him to call Idaho."

"After he told you what his plan was," Lock surmised. We'd known Static since we were all in high school. He'd been a few years younger than us, but we'd clicked and had become inseparable until Lock kicked me out of his life.

Riptide gave Lockout a wide smile as he flopped down into the chair next to me, a slightly bored look on his face. Static—I was trying to get used to using everyone's road names, because I knew they'd get pissed if I used their given names in this environment—looked like he was going into the courtroom. His face was set in grim lines as he pulled up another chair and sat on the other side of me.

Lock sighed and went around the desk. He ruled over this place like a king. It made me grin inwardly. We both ruled our kingdoms, but mine was far different from his. "Can you help us with our problem?"

"Sure," I said, voice neutral. I wasn't about to rub it in. "It might take me a few phone calls, but I can get it all sorted out."

Lock narrowed his eyes. "Do you even know what it is we need help with?"

He had me there. My eyes slid over to Static. "Do I need to?" I shouldn't be antagonizing him, but he made it so easy.

"I haven't had a chance to fill him in on all the details-"

"You fucking came here, not knowing why Static needed help?" Lock asked, interrupting Static, who fell silent in the face of Lock's rage.

I shrugged. "Yeah."

Lockout was dragging in deep, angry breaths. He looked like a bull about to charge. "You didn't even know why."

Ignoring his bellowing, I held his gaze. "He asked. Said you needed help-"

"I don't fucking need your help!"

"Didn't you just-" I broke off when Riptide put a hand on my shoulder. Glaring at Lock, I tried to rein in my own temper. "I didn't come here to fight, Liam."

"It's Lockout." He was visibly trying to control himself.

"I know," I sighed. "Look. I just want to help. I doubt Static would have called me unless he thought I could. So, whatever it is, I'll do my best to sort it out."

Lock rubbed his hand over his face. "Thanks." It was said through clenched teeth, but at least he said the word.

Riptide and Static were grinning at each other around me. I wished I could give them the momentary triumph, but I was about to shatter the mood...again.

---