Page 8 of Unruly Defender
The corner of my mouth twitches and it seems she draws it out of me a lot.
And I let her know, “We agreed to be friends, and with me knowing you’re wearing that sexy shit to make yourself feel better...again, me being your friend and all...I can see if you’re right and compliment the shit out of you to make you feel even better.”
She rolls her eyes.“You made a passionate plea for yourself...but, that’s a no,friend.I have a mirror and can give myself compliments, thank you very much.”
“Yeah, but that’s different,” I quip, letting my arm sneak around her waist as we stroll down the street.
She doesn’t say anything about my arm and why should she?We agreed to pretend we’re a couple to stake out the bar.
“Well, if I’m ever in need of a man’s opinion, I know who to call,” she mutters and adds, “Not that I have your number, but you know what I mean.”
“Give me your phone.”I hold out my hand and she digs her phone out of her purse and I smile when I see the picture.
“See?You get it.”A soft giggle slips over her lips before she adds, “You should see how some people react when they see a dachshund humping a pig.Stuffed or not, people judge at seeing even a glimpse without knowing all the details.”
“So very true,” I murmur while punching in my number and sending a text to make sure I have her number too.
I hand her back her phone and get ready to be aware of every single detail around me.This bar might be owned by me but I’ve hardly had any work from it.It’s purely an investment for me and the main reason I hired a manager years ago when I bought it, and he runs it flawlessly.
I place my hand on Gracy’s lower back and guide her inside.It’s crowded and I instantly recognize the three bikers sitting at a table in a corner.Yates is one of them and he’s sitting next to Maxton and the one I despise is sitting across from him.
Rush.That fucker is wearing the president patch as if he’s entitled to.He’s not.It doesn’t belong on his chest and I want nothing more than to stalk over and rip it off and let him choke on it.
Soft fingers slide over my wrist and my arm is being yanked forward.Gracy pushes her body against mine and slides an arm around my neck so she can pull me down as she whisper-hisses, “Stop staring as if you would like to rip them apart.We’re here to observe and not confront.”She pulls back and cups my face with both hands.“Vengeance is blinding, while justice is like karma; it will hit those who have it coming right in the face.Distance yourself, Henley.I can see it in your eyes the way you crave to get even.You’ve waited so long, but you’re out now, you’re right here.Take your time because you have loads of it.Now focus, dammit.”
I could drown in her gaze and taste her lips for decades and yet she asks me to fucking focus.
“Yes, ma’am,” I croak.
“Good.”Her hands slide from my face to my shoulders as she says, “Now, let me buy you a drink and I’ll call your buddy so you can see how he reacts.Then we’ll either head home or you can hook up with your buddy and I’ll head home by myself.”
“I’m not letting you walk away alone, but I can’t have anyone thinking we’re connected once they know who I am.It’s too dangerous.”
Shit.What was I thinking pulling her into this?But it was too good to pass up, I need her to make sure I can test Yates.
She rolls her eyes.“I’m a big girl, Henley.”
She steps closer to the bar and leans over to give the bartender her order.There’s one guy and two chicks behind the bar and I don’t recognize any of them.The guy I hired to run this bar knows exactly what it needs to make a good profit every night.He isn’t cheap, but he’s the best at what he does.
Gracy grabs her wallet but I’ve already handed the guy a twenty and tell him to keep the change.I take a seat next to Gracy and the way we’re sitting, it allows me to have a clear view of Yates and the others, while Gracy is blocking their view so they don’t notice me.I grab my burner and punch in Yates’ number.
“Ready?”I ask and she gives me a nod.
We’ve talked it through before we came here and we came up with a few lines for her to make sure Yates knows this is about me and Rush.So, now is the moment of truth.Will Yates be loyal to me or will he let Rush know who he’s off to meet?
Gracy takes the burner along with her drink and hits the call button.She stands and strolls to the opposite side of the room so she doesn’t put any attention on me and can give Yates a reason to head out the back without any suspicion.It would look like he took a random girl with him.
I take my beer and keep it in front of my face as if I’m sipping it, and slide across the room so I’m near the bikers sitting at the table.They are way too loud, and this allows me to hear them clearly and also notice their every move.Yates’ phone rings.Showtime.
He fishes it from his pants and glances at the screen before answering.“Who the fuck is this?”he growls and a few seconds later he’s glancing around the bar.
I know she just told him to come to her because she has information about me, and especially the hit on his president sitting across from him.But she instructs him not to say anything to Rush.
“What are you doing, Yates?”Rush asks.
Yates’ eyes land on Rush as he keeps his phone to his ear.I have a clear view of Yates and I can tell by the look he gives his president that he holds no respect for Rush.His words also don’t leave anything to the imagination as he glares at Rush and says, “I’m not going to sit here and watch you guys get drunk.I have better things to do.”
Yates’ eyes go straight to Gracy.“Later, dickheads,” Yates snaps and stands.
