Page 13 of Fallen Dove
I’d told myself it was about the rules.About being the boss keeping the waitresses safe and protecting the reputation of the Social Club.All of that was true.But it wasn’t the whole truth.
The truth was it felt personal.Too personal.
My gut had lit up like someone dropped a match into gasoline, and for a second, I wanted to do more than throw the guy out.I wanted to make sure he never set foot in Weston again alive.
And that scared the hell out of me.
Because Adley wasn’t just some waitress.She was Slayer’s daughter.She was the girl who kissed me fourteen years ago, the one I told myself I couldn’t touch, not then and not ever.
But she wasn’t a girl anymore.And ignoring that fact was getting harder by the day.
“Morning, old man.”
Junior’s voice cut into my thoughts.He strolled into the kitchen shirtless, hair sticking up, scratching at his jaw.He didn’t look like a man pushing forty.We were the oldest ones left in the clubhouse, so the kids treated us like grandpas all the same.
I grunted.“Morning.”
He poured himself a mug and leaned against the counter across from me, sipping like it was whiskey instead of coffee.His eyes flicked toward me, knowing.“Heard you scared the shit out of some guy last night.”
I shrugged and kept my face blank.“He crossed a line.”
Junior’s mouth curved into a half-smile.“You usually don’t move that fast when someone crosses a line.You let ‘em stew a little, give ‘em a warning.Last night you looked ready to drag him out by his throat.”
My jaw tightened.“I did what needed doing.”
“Uh-huh.”Junior’s smirk widened.“And it just so happened Slayer’s daughter was the one who got grabbed.”
I glared at him over my mug.“Watch it.”
He chuckled and held up a hand.“Relax.I’m not saying you were wrong.Guy had it coming.I’m just saying you don’t usually give a damn this early in a waitress’s run.Most of ‘em have to earn your protection.She got it on night two.”
“She’s new,” I said evenly.“She doesn’t know how it works yet.Penny can handle herself, but Adley,” I cut myself off before I said too much.
“Adley what?”Junior prodded.
I shook my head.“Nothing.She’ll figure it out.Penny kept her straight.She’ll be fine.”
Junior sipped his coffee, but his eyes stayed on me, sharp.He knew me too well.He could smell when I was dodging.
Before he could press further, the kitchen door opened and Mac walked in, blazer sharp, hair pulled back tight, phone in one hand and coffee thermos in the other.She looked like she hadn’t slept, but she always looked like that.
“Morning, boys,” she said briskly.“You guys really are not sticking to the biker stereotype by sleeping all day and partying all night.Maybe you could try to sleep in past seven.”
Junior grunted.“This is us sleeping in.”
She gave him a once-over, and I caught the flicker in her eyes again.She tried to cover it by raising her coffee, but I saw it.Mac was tough, professional, but she wasn’t blind.Junior shirtless was throwing her off her game.
I smirked into my mug and didn’t say a word.
Mac cleared her throat and focused back on me.“So.Last night.Sounded like some excitement.”
My eyes narrowed.“Who told you that?”
“I know everything.”She paused.“And the camera guy was still there waiting for a burger and fries.”
I leaned back against the counter, voice flat.“Guy crossed a line.That’s all.”
She arched a brow.“Shame the cameras weren’t rolling.That kind of drama plays well on screen.”
