Page 28 of Hard as Stone
Want to take her to dinner somewhere nice, not just the bar. Want to learn what makes her laugh, what dreams she’s got buried under all that family obligation. Want to show her she deserves better than being everyone else’s support system.
“You’re thinking awful hard about that oil dipstick, brother.”
I glance up to find Lee leaning against the workbench, that knowing smirk still on his face.
“Don’t you have somewhere to be, kid?” I growl, but Lee just smirks.
“Nah. I’m enjoying the show.” He crosses his arms. “Not every day we get to watch the Road Captain fall ass over teakettle for a girl.”
“I’m not—” But the protest dies in my throat. Because maybe I am. Maybe that’s the real problem.
Lee’s expression softens slightly. “You know, nothing in the bylaws says you can’t do both.”
“Both?”
“Help the club and get the girl.” He shrugs. “Just be straight with her when the time comes. She seems like the type who can handle the truth.”
I think of Poppy’s sharp mind, how she’s already picking up on things not adding up with the construction contracts. Maybe Lee’s right. Maybe there’s a way to balance club loyalty with whatever this thing is growing between us.
But first, I need to do this right.
I wipe my hands on a shop rag, decision made. “You know the name of that fancy restaurant Hawk took Andi to?”
Lee’s grin widens. “Planning a proper date, Road Captain?”
“Shut up and answer me.”
“Man, everyone knows the one place in this county where you have to wear a fucking tie to eat a great steak.” Lee shakes his head. “La Bella Vita. Though you’d have to ask Hawk or Andi to be sure he didn’t take her some place else.” He huffs. “Never met a girl worth taking to a place like that. I mean, dude. A fucking tie?”
“La Bella Vita.” I test the name on my tongue, already knowing it’ll cost me more than a week’s take from the club. But something about Poppy makes me want to do this right.
“Never thought I’d see the day,” Lee muses, watching me. “The Road Captain going soft over the feistiest girl I think I’ve ever met.”
“I’m not going soft.” But even I can hear the lie in my voice.
Lee just laughs, pushing off the workbench. “Sure, brother. Keep telling yourself that.”
I flip him off as he heads for the clubhouse, his laughter trailing behind him. But he’s not entirely wrong. Something about Poppy Bennett makes me want things I’ve never wanted before. Makes me want to be better than I am.
With a sigh, I grab my cut and head inside. Time to swallow my pride and ask Hawk about that restaurant. Maybe Andi will even take pity on me and help make the reservation.
Because Lee’s right about one thing—I’ve never met a girl worth wearing a tie for either.
Until now.
But as I reach for my phone to text her, Stone’s words echo in my head, ‘keep getting close to the girl.’ Guilt sits heavy in my chest as I type.
Axel
Dinner tomorrow night? Somewhere nice.
Because while I’m planning dates and dreaming of a future, her family might be neck-deep in cartel business. And sooner orlater, I’ll have to choose between protecting her and protecting the club.
9
POPPY
Ifidget with the hem of my dress, wondering if wearing the same one was a mistake. But it’s not like I have much choice—this is literally the only dress I own. When you grow up in a family of construction workers, fancy isn’t exactly a priority.
