Page 2 of Kaz
“What’s so funny?”
Mika’s lips pulled up on one side as she gave him a once-over.
“I’m just enjoying seeing you react for once. Takes a hell of a lot. He must’ve been a prime asshole today,” she said.
A groan pushed past his lips.
It was rare that he couldn’t control his temper or reaction. He was usually the epitome of quiet, respectful, and reserved. He didn’t lose his shit the way he had with… unbidden thought of his ex, whom he could barely call an ex, filtered through his mind, and he hated himself for it. Hated that despite barely having seen the man in over a decade, he still thought about him. The last thing he wanted was to think about Kaz Tailler, the man who broke his heart into a million pieces, and it was all a fucking joke to him.
Kaz had bullied him since the day they met as kids, and according to Kaz, it was because he wanted his attention. He’d faithfully ignored Kaz all those years because of the feelings Kaz sparked in him, so he didn’t think Kaz had lied about that. Kaz’s father was the president of the King’s Disciples MC, a support club to Miles’s dad’s club, the Salvation Kings MC. Their parents were friends and had insisted they spend time together. His sister and Kaz got along great, but him and Kaz? The asshole had gotten on his nerves every single time, pushing and pushing until he lost his shit and had to use his fists to make Kaz stop. Not that it ever lasted long. Kaz was nothing if not persistent.
He had been home for spring break during his first year of college and had reluctantly gone with his fathers to a party at Kaz’s clubhouse. Kaz had annoyed him as always, but this time, they ended up in bed together. He’d spent a week with Kaz, falling under his thrall, and he’d actually believed Kaz when he said he wanted to be with him.
A few weeks later, he’d shown up at Kaz’s birthday party only to find out that Kaz had a girlfriend the whole time. He’d told Kaz exactly what he thought of that and left with a broken heart, the fragile trust he’d built in their time together completely shattered.
He took a deep breath and shoved those memories into the vault box he’d made for them. Kaz had no place in his life. Not after what he did.
“You okay, boss?”
“Huh?”
Mika’s eyes held a certain awareness he didn’t like. “You kinda disappeared there for a minute.”
“I’m fine,” he mumbled and reached for his seatbelt. They needed to get to the job site, so he could inform everyone and switch to his own car.
Mika remained quiet during the short drive, and he was thankful for it. His thoughts were already all over the place, and he knew he would crash the second he got home because of how overwhelming everything was.
He pulled up at the gate, and Mika jumped out to open it for him. The five-story office building they were working on in Fells Point was nearly halfway done. It was a project he’d enjoyed because the owners had appreciated his expertise and input, ensuring the building was not only sturdy but also beautiful in its resemblance to the older buildings surrounding it. Then Bruce had gone and demanded they use subpar materials for the rest of the build to make himself more money off the project.
With the gate open, he drove through and parked next to the other cars, then stepped out and made his way to Mika, who was waiting for him, her vest back on and her hard hat in hand.
“You know, you could always start your own firm,” Mika suggested, brows high as she gave him an inquisitive look.
He knew she was right. He should’ve done it years ago, but he’d worked his way up in this damned company and hadn’t wanted to leave his crew. The joke was on him. Clearly.
He felt his phone buzz and met Mika’s gaze.
“Go get them all, will you?”
Mika snapped into a salute, the broad grin on her face ruining it.
It brought a smile to his lips, though, and he watched her head toward the building for a moment before he pulled out his phone.
He frowned as he read his sister’s text. She was demanding that he come by tomorrow afternoon. Knowing Emma, she was up to something. Hopefully, it wasn’t another blind date. The last one had made him consider remaining single for the rest of his life. So much for that white picket fence dream.
CHAPTER TWO
Kaz
HE’D ALWAYS felt free with the wind blowing against him, adrenaline thrumming in his blood as he took a sharp turn, his bike leaning dangerously close to the road. There was no judgment, no expectations, just him, his bike, and the open road ahead. Before his first ride, he hadn’t known he needed that freedom. Now, he couldn’t live without it.
His life had never been sunshine and rainbows. The first ten years had been full of abuse and neglect, while the next few had only been about survival.
His friends and adoptive parents were the first to show him love. To make him believe there was actually something good in the world. Something worth living for. Even then, it had never been easy for him. He’d been reckless all his life because he’d always had a difficult time believing he was worthy of living and breathing. Worthy of people’s love. It was why he’d fucked up the only real relationship he’d ever had. He’d never truly been worthy of Miles, but he’d worked hard ever since to become someone better. Someone who might someday be worthy of a man like Miles. Someone whose smile lit up a whole room. Someone fiercely protective of the ones he loved. Someone who’d known better than to trust a bastard like him but still had.
If he could go back in time and change things, he might just be selfish enough to keep Miles instead of letting him go, but there was no use in could’ve-been’s.
This was a new chapter. In more ways than one. He was starting over with his own club. When Killian had proposed the idea to him, he’d dismissed it at first, but then he’d thought harder about it. In fact, he hadn’t been able to get the idea out of his head. As much as he loved being a part of his dad’s club, he knew he wanted more. Wanted something of his own. His own legacy in a way.
