Page 32 of Under His Control

He rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t a biker. I can’t stand those motherfuckers.”

“Mum uckers,” Olivia repeated.

Dante and I widened our eyes at each other.

“Um. I guess maybe we can start watching what we say around her…”

He laughed. “You saidwe. Are you starting to see yourself staying here with us?”

I shrugged. “I’m thinking about it.”

His smile was confident and easy, almost smug, like he knew he wouldn’t have to pressure me. “Yes,” he said, changing the subject, “I had a Harley.”

“Had?”

He sighed and nodded. “I was out for a ride with Nina’s father. That was how long ago it was. Way, way back when. Unfortunately, it made me too easy of a target. I was shot while riding it once, and it was enough to make me reconsider.”

“That blows.” I wasn’t a biker either. I rode, but not passionately like the fact that I had a motorcycle was part of my identity. “No one should force you to give up something you enjoy.”

I mentally cringed, wondering if that was what I was doing with Eva. We enjoyed each other in a physical way, so why not take advantage while we could, right?

After kissing Liv, I told her to behave. “I’ll be back soon,” I said as I got on the seat. “Just a ride to clear my mind.”

Dante nodded at me, gesturing for Liv to wave bye to me.

Damn, that man’s smitten with her. He would be a good grandpa. And dad.I rode, laughing at the idea that he could have both at the same time. If Romeo and Tessa were expecting…

I rode through the evening, going with no destination in mind. It freed me from the woes and constant worries and questions plaguing my mind, but it didn’t erase Eva. She lingered, no matter how focused I was.

I got off and stretched at a bar off the highway, realizing it’d been too long since I’d sat in that seat. After using the restroom, I ordered a beer to relax for a little longer.

Staying at the Constella mansion wasn’t oppressive. There was so much room that it didn’t feel like I was stuck there or a guest at a resort. Still, it was nice to break away and have an hour or so to myself.

“Hey,” a fellow veteran said after I took a stool. His short sleeves revealed a tattoo showing what troop he’d served in, and I nodded as a greeting.

“You still serving?” he asked.

I raised my brows. “How’d you guess?”

He laughed, an old, raspy sound that reminded me of Ethan. This vet was probably a lifelong smoker too. “Eh, the way you stand and hold yourself, like a soldier on alert. That and the fact that you ain’t grown your hair out yet.”

I smiled. “I just left, about three weeks ago.” Saying that out loud felt strange. So much had changed in that short time. Finding out about Olivia, getting the official news that I would never be on full active duty again.

Then coming to see Tessa and learning that she was marrying into the Mafia. And meeting Eva.

Wanting Eva. Loathing her. But mostly, just wanting her.

“How are you adjusting?” he asked, his croaky voice cracking with every word.

“It’s a work in progress.” I sighed and sipped my beer. “Adjusting isn’t something that happens overnight.”

“I know exactly what you mean. I was discharged five years ago, and for the first four and a half, I didn’t know what the fuck to do with myself.” He shook his head but then chuckled. “But I’m good now. Now I’m really good.”

“Glad to hear it.”

He coughed a bit before speaking again. “I ain’t got my cut right now. My old lady’s fixing it, but I swear that it was the best thing I ever done.”

I furrowed my brow. “What was?”

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