Page 4 of Untouchable

“How many drinks?” His voice is deep and intimidating, not unlike his dark brown eyes. My feet are rooted to the sidewalk as my nose is filled with the scent of car grease and Corona. I look down to see the white Ace Automotive T-shirt he’s wearing covered in black stains, hugging his chest beneath the Drengr jacket he wears like a second skin. “Katarina.” My eyes snap back up to his, my cheeks flaming at the way I’ve been staring at him.

“One. I had one drink over an hour ago.” His gaze narrows on me.

“And that caused you to run into a table?” I roll my eyes and finally break free of the spell I’ve been under since his hand touched my skin.

“No,” I argue. “Tabitharan me into a table. She’s like a baby deer after a couple of drinks. I, however, am sober as a judge.” His jaw tightens and I realize he doesn’t believe me and that pisses me off. “I wouldn’t drive drunk, Ace. You’d know that if you ever opened your mouth to speak to me before right now.” I pull my arm out of the grip he still has on me, storming to the driver's side of my car. I speed away from the curb, flipping him off out the window as we make it further down the street.

“Well, that was hot,” Tabs says, her head leaning lazily on the palm of her hand against the window. I scoff at her remark, unable to find a singlehotthing about what just happened.

“I beg to differ.”

“It sounded like he was worried about you.” I grind my teeth, tears stinging my eyes as I realize just how little the people in my life know about me these days.

“Yeah, well. He shouldn’t be.” I wipe a tear away angrily, speeding towards our apartment.

CHAPTER 3

Ace

“DEAD MEAT”

Iwatch Katarina flip me off as she speeds down the street, feeling a bit annoyed that I came out here at all. Is this really the first time I’ve spoken to her since I got back? I mean, I’ve always avoided talkingaboutKatarina, I guess I didn’t realize I’d not spoken to her directly either in…fifteen years?

Jesus, I’m an asshole.

Of course she’s mad. It may not have been the best first thing to say to her, but I’m not sorry I asked. Her dad would have my head on a platter if he knew I watched her stumble out of a bar, then proceed to drive away without doing something about it. Speaking of Lenny, he pulls up on his bike as soon as Katarina is over the hill.

He cuts the engine and hangs his helmet on the handlebar. “Got your message, what’s up?” he asks, joining me on the sidewalk.

“Glad you could meet me, let’s head on in.” I nod towards the door, leading the way inside before we grab a table and order some food. Mikey and Bodine continue playing pool as I watch Lenny devour the biggest burger they have on the menu.

“You gonna tell me what was so urgent now?”

“Two outsiders were let into the clubhouse today by a prospect. Said he let them in because the guy said he used to ride with you. Some guy named Striker?” Lenny stops chewing, which isn’t a good sign.

He picks up his Diet Coke to take a drink. “He say what he wanted?”

I shrug with my lips turned down. “Just that they stopped in for a drink.” Lenny snorts and shakes his head. Placing his hands on his legs as he looks at the photos hanging on the wall.

“Striker used to ride with me and your old man, back when Drengr was new and…”

“Riding with anabove the lawattitude?”

He grunts in response. “I guess you could say that.”

“If he shows up again, you get him a drink, and you call me immediately. We’ll find out what he wants.” I nod in agreement as the waitress comes to refill my glass.

“Can I get you boys anything else?”

“Oh no, we wouldn’t want to put you out, Sweetheart.” Lenny winks at her, and she laughs, rolling her eyes as she props a hand on her hip.

“Flirting with me isn’t gonna make your bill any cheaper, Lenny. You know me better than that.” Lenny laughs and takes her hand, slapping a twenty-dollar bill in it.

“Would never dream of it. You take care of yourself and that little boy of yours.” He winks at her again, and she tilts her head with a soft smile.

“You know I will.” She heads back behind the bar, and Lenny watches as she goes.

“You’re a good man, el presidente.”

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