Page 172 of Traitor

Silence. A small inhale.

"I'll eat anything you make," I murmur. "I'll be there Friday. Do you need me to bring something?"

"No, just yourself." There's a pause, a hesitation. "I thought it would be a good setting to talk some more." Another beat. Then, softer, "You know, get to know the people we are now."

Fuck. My chest tightens.

"Yeah," I say, my voice quieter than I intended. "That's a great idea." I take a breath, let it settle. "I can't wait to see you on Friday, my fiery Temper."

She doesn't hang up right away. Neither do I.

Then, finally, "See you, Bones."

Her voice is light when she ends the call.

I stare at my phone, exhaling hard. Just two more days.

It still feels fucking unreal.

By the time the day winds down, I find myself at the makeshift bar in the clubhouse, Luca standing right beside me, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else.

I grab a shot glass, fill it to the brim, and shove it toward him.

"Welcome to the club, Silk." My voice is all amusement, but the smirk stretching my lips is pure fucking wickedness.

His jaw tics. He snatches the glass from my hand like it personally insulted him, downs the shot in one go, and slams it on the counter. "Fuck you," he mutters, his voice rough, barely above a growl.

I chuckle, pouring myself a shot. "That's not a very brotherly attitude, Romano."

"Brotherly would've been punching me, stabbing me, not—" He grits his teeth, exhales hard, and glares at nothing in particular.

"Not what?" I prod, grinning.

He looks at me, murder in his eyes. "Notthat."

I grin wider. "Thethatwas necessary."

He mutters something in Italian, grabs the bottle, and pours himself another shot.

This asshole is more biker than he realizes. He'll fit right in.

Temper

My fiery Temper, I love how determined you always are. I don't think there is a single obstacle in this world that would be able to withstand you if you put your mind to it.

I smile, my fingers gripping the phone a little tighter. I didn't realize how much I actually missed this. I was waiting for this. The first message since I unblocked his number. Since our talk.

I won't admit it out loud, but this? This is a damn good way to start the day. Like those people who do affirmations in the mirror every morning, hyping themselves up before stepping out into the world. Except I don't need a mirror.

I've got Bones sending mine straight to my phone.

My fiery Temper, I love the way you bite your bottom lip when you're concentrating. It drives me insane. I used to watch you do it while lining up a shot at the pool table, and all I could think about was stealing that lip for myself.

Okay, lover boy. That one was dangerously close to outright flirting. Sneaky.

And now all I can think about is how his muscles bunched under his shirt when he was lining up his damn shot at that pool table.

Damn!

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