my laundry and clean up around the place.”
“You’re
delusional if you think you’re gonna turn that spoiled princess into your
personal maid.”
“Want
to put your money where your mouth is?”
“Hundred
bucks says not only doesn’t she clean up after you, but she has you waiting on her by the end of this.”
“You’re
on.”
Cole
chuckled. “Let me lay out the terms to her. I’m gonna enjoy the look on her
face.”
“Sure.”
“Well,
I’ll give her a ride to your place. You take her bag, and-”
“I
got her.”
“ You got her?”
“Yeah.”
“Crash,
you’re running a solo seat,” Cole said, pointing out the obvious.
“She’ll
ride the fender.”
“You’re
shittin’ me, right?”
“Nope.”
“Crash,
you live in fucking Oakland.”
“Know
where I live, Cole.”
“It’s
forty miles.”
“Yep.”
Cole
grinned. “You even got foot pegs?”
“I
got those long bolts I put on.” Crash grinned.
“You did see the fucking ridiculous shoes
she’s wearin’, right?”
“You
worry too much.”
Cole
shrugged. “Okay. It’s your face she’s
gonna scratch off.”
“By
the time I get her home, she’s not gonna sit for a week.”
“Plan
to hit a few potholes on the way?”
“You
know it.”
Cole
shook his head. “Payback for her smart mouth?”
“Payback’s
a bitch.” Crash grinned.
“Yeah,
and she can be one, too. You may be spending a couple of weeks together. You
really want to start it off this way?”
“She
needs a lesson. I’m only too happy to give her one.”
“All
right, brother. I hope you got this.”
“I
got this.”
Cole
looked over at him with a doubtful expression.
“Just
leave me your extra helmet, and get that bag of hers.”
“I’ll
drop it by tomorrow.” Cole tossed his cigarette, and they headed back inside.
He slid back into the booth, folded his arms and leaned his elbows on the
table. “Here’s the deal, Shannon. I think you’re holding something back from
me. I don’t believe I’m getting the whole story.”
Crash
watched her expression. Yeah, there was definitely more to her story.
Cole
continued, “And I don’t like the fact you used my wife to get to me. Way you
went about that, babe? Not good. I don’t want my family dragged into the middle
of your shit.”
Crash
watched the hope almost deflate right out of her. He was sure Cole saw it, too.
“That
said, I don’t tolerate men terrorizing women. So, we’ll give you a place to lie
low for a while.”
“Really?”
“But
you stay on my terms.”
“Of
course. Anything.”
“Don’t
be so eager, darlin’. You haven’t heard them yet,” Crash advised.
She
looked at him and swallowed.
Cole
drew her attention back to him. “You’ll be staying with Crash.”
“Crash?”
She looked back at him.
He
grinned at her like the cat that ate the canary.
“He’ll
be responsible for keeping you safe. You’ll do whatever he says, you
understand?”
“You’re
joking.”
“Nope.
And it’s not gonna be a free ride. You’ll cook, clean, and do his laundry to
pay him back for his time.”
“I
have money. I pulled out cash, like you said. I was able to get five thousand.
That should cover any expenses I have until this blows over and pay for his time.”
Cole
nodded towards Crash. “You’ll give that money over to him.”
“All
of it?”
“All
of it. Now.”
“But,
I’ll need it if I have to buy something.”
“You
need something, you ask Crash. If you really need it, he’ll get it for you.”
“You
have got to be kidding me? Every time I want some of my own money, I have to ask him for it?”
“Yep.”
“Forget
it! I’m not doing that.”
“Then
there’s the door, darlin’. Walk.”
“But…Cole,
I can’t.”
“Make
up your mind, Shannon. We help you, it’s on my terms.”
She
rolled her eyes.
“Yes
or no, Shannon, what’s it gonna be?”
Her
eyebrows shot up, and she bit out, “Okay. Fine.”
The
corners of Crash’s