Page 63 of Klutch's Kryptonite

The sight of them together has taken some getting used to. My best friend is sort of with one of the most intimidating members of the Bastard Saints MC. I say sorta because he’s also a married man with a wife and kid at home.

“Nervous about tonight?” I ask, giving my man my full attention.

He snorts, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Baby, I’ve been doing this shit for years. There’s nothing to be nervous about.”

Maybe so, but it’s still new to me. And I hate the thought of anything happening to him. My heart squeezes in my chest at the thought.

“Hey,” his voice is gentle.

I look up at him and admit, “Watching you fight in that cage scares me.”

His caramel eyes, usually so intense, soften when they connect with mine.

“Nothing is going to happen to me, Blue. It’s Benny the Bulldog you should be worrying about,” he says with a wink. “I’m gonna beat the fucking brakes off his ass tonight.”

Pee Wee leans forward in his chair and McKenna’s arms loop around his neck to keep from being dumped onto the floor. “You better kick that fucker’s ass. I’ve got ten G’s riding on you, brother.”

My lips turn down. Here I am worried about him getting hurt, and his VP is worried about losing money. We are not the same. Not. At. All.

All I want is for the people I love most in this world to be safe.

Thinking of the people I love most, my heart does another squeeze. It’s been two months since my father was murdered. Two months since I learned what Klutch was capable of when someone threatens those he loves. Two months of grieving, healing, and slowly finding my way in a world without my dad in it. It hasn’t been easy but I’m not alone. My man has been a constant, showing me every day that he’s got my back. In a few weeks we’ll be making the trip down south to Jacksonville to spread his ashes. Klutch promised that just before Thanksgiving when the tourist season dies down we’ll go.

“How’s the kitchen remodel coming?” Pee Wee asks, breaking into my thoughts. “Got those cabinets installed yet?”

Klutch groans beneath me. “Don’t even get me fucking started. The contractor’s dragging his feet. Might have to pay him a visit.”

“Don’t you dare,” I warn, giving him a pointed look. “We already had to find a new plumber after you scared the last one.”

“He was overcharging us,” Klutch defends, but I can see the hint of a smile playing at his lips.

At this rate the house is never going to be finished. The house—our house—is a cute three-bedroom ranch that Klutch bought outright a month ago. It’s perfect in my eyes, but Klutch is a perfectionist and insists on updating everything from the floors to the fixtures. It’s our first real home together, and despite the chaos of constant renovations, it already feels more like home than any place I’ve ever lived.

The only downfall is the location—specifically, our next-door neighbor situation. In what has to be the universe’s idea of a cosmic joke, we live next door to Diana, Pee Wee’s wife. Yes, wife.

Can you say awka-awkward?

The situation of my best friend sleeping with a married man who happens to be our neighbor’s husband is something straight out of a dang soap opera.

I had the unfortunate displeasure of meeting Diana while bringing our garbage can up from the street last week. She’s a tall blonde with perfect teeth and a permanent sneer, who made it abundantly clear she knows exactly who I am and who I’m with. According to Klutch, Pee Wee pays for the house she lives in with their two kids, Brody and Bailey, but he doesn’t actually stay there himself. Apparently their marriage is one of obligation. Meaning Pee Wee felt obligated to marry Diana when she got pregnant with their son 13 years ago. That doesn’texplain their 11 year old daughter though. So apparently there wasn’t always trouble in paradise.

Rumor has it that Pee Wee only stays married to Diana for the kids’ sake and out of obligation. While I initially thought Pee Wee was an asshole for cheating on his wife, after seeing Diana in action and hearing more of their history, I get it.

Not that I approve, but I kind of understand.

As Klutch so bluntly put it. “In this life, a brother’s personal business is his own, and you need to stay out of it.” Message received, loud and clear.

The announcer’s voice in the other room booms through the speakers, calling the next fighters to prepare. Klutch pats my hip, signaling it’s time.

“Gotta go get ready, Blue,” he says, his voice dropping to that low rumble that still makes my stomach flip. He lifts me effortlessly, setting me on my feet before standing.

“Be careful,” I tell him, knowing full well he won’t be.

He grins, that sexy, cocky smile that first caught my attention months ago, and leans down to capture my lips in a kiss that’s as much a promise as it is a goodbye. When he pulls back, his eyes are dark with intent.

“I’ll collect my other prize later,” he promises with a smirk that sends heat rushing to my cheeks.

“Kick some ass, brother,” Pee Wee calls as Klutch heads for the door.

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