Page 3 of Snagged By Hook

“Grab your jacket, and let’s go, little shit-stirrer, before your brother starts believing your bullshit and attempts to kick my ass.”

“Attempts? No attempt about it.” Croon’s words would’ve made him laugh if the man wasn’t one hundred percent serious in his delusion. Gwen and Devin had no such restraint.

Dev walked up to her brother and kissed him on the cheek. “Bless your heart.” With that, she looped her arm through Hook’s and headed to his bike.

As Hook straddled his baby, he scolded Devin. “You shouldn’t bait him like that.”

“Why not? He’s always cranky with me. It’s like he doesn’t want me here.” She slammed her helmet into place. Her pain was evident in her voice. Hook waited until their helmets Bluetoothed together before he spoke, more understanding this time.

“He wants you here, Dev, more than you know. It’s what you’re letting him believe that’s the issue.”

Croon had been beside himself with worry from the second she didn’t call him on schedule. He got wound tighter the more Dev remained tight-lipped about her disappearance.

“He’ll hate me. He already thinks I just abandoned everyone to be with a man. He won’t understand why I?—”

“Give him some credit, sweetheart. It may take him a hot second to grasp it all, but I guarantee he’ll get it. For what it’s worth, you did what you had to, he’ll see that eventually. Croon’s just relieved you’re here and whole, and he’ll be even more so when knows the story. He suspects there’s more to it than you shacking up with some guy, and it’s killing him.”

Hook didn’t point out that once Croon knew the whole story, he’d go back to Nebraska and end the man. Hell, Hook would go with him.

“I can’t keep your secret much longer, you know that, right? He’s my brother too, and I’m gonna have to tell him if you don’t.”

Her sigh was audible through the earpiece, so were her attempts to hold back her tears. It was all Hook could do not to tell Croon the second he dismounted and let Dev hate him for it. She’d made him promise, and he always kept his word, but it was starting to feel like he was choosing her over his club brother, and that was a bitter taste that he wouldn’t continue to swallow.

“I know. He has a good heart, but I guess I just don’t want to face that look of his. That one that says I’m so disappointed in you. That cuts deeper than anything.”

Hook rolled into the parking lot of The Metal Shop. He heeled the kickstand down and dismounted before Devin could say another word. After dismounting, she handed him her helmet. He hung it from the handlebar and cupped her cheeks, widening his stance so he could look her in the eyes.

“He would never be disappointed in you. He adores you, hell, we all do.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead.

Dev wrapped her arms around him and murmured her thanks. Then she pulled away and lightly punched his bicep.

“What was that for?”

“For making me look like a trash panda.” She swiped her fingers under her eyes. “Is my mascara ruined?”

“No, darlin’, you look marvelous.” He draped his arm over her shoulders, and she wrapped one of hers around his waist.

Devin laughed. “Your Billy Crystal sucks.”

“I beg your pardon.” He feigned outrage as they turned toward the door.

Hook stutter-stepped when his eyes locked on the sexiest woman he’d ever seen. Curvy as fuck was an understatement. Mama was stacked with long dark hair and even darker eyes that looked black in the ambient light coming from the overhead neon sign.

His gaze devoured every inch of her body.

She was mesmerizing.

Just so there was no mistaking his appreciationandinterest, he added his best come-hither look, complete with a panty-melting grin and anI wanna see you nakedwink.

But instead of the receptive smile he’d hoped for, she practically sneered at him. Hook maintained eye contact, hoping it was just a delayed reaction to his charm, but no. Her sneer morphed into asomething smells rancidlook as she rolled her eyes before turning and darting inside.

“Damn, I must be losing my touch.”

Dev smacked his arm. “Really? You don’t know why she totally blew you off?”

“Nope. Do I have something on my face?” he joked, pointing to his tattoos. “Spinach in my teeth?” He flashed his teeth for inspection.

When he opened the door, Dev dropped her arm from his. “No, my incredibly dense friend, it’s because she thinks you were coming on to her?—”

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