Page 24 of Knight With Benefits

Drawing my shoulders back, I nodded. It might be another blow I didn’t need, but I’d face it and keep going.

“At least the roofs are covered by insurance.”

Chapter Ten

Carl

Ihadn’t been completely honest with Gwyn about the process, but it wouldn’t matter in the end. There was usually a deductible before the insurance covered anything, and the paperwork would show she’d paid it. Technically, it wouldn’t even be lying, since she would be paying me for all the work I would be doing.

Eventually.

And what I chose to do with that money was my business, not the insurance company’s. They had no reason to care if I turned around and used it to help her. I would be investing in a local, up-and-coming business.

I shoved away my concerns as I climbed back into the truck, telling my bear we were doing what we could. It was a struggle not to demand she stay somewhere else until I could do a full inspection of the house, but I knew that wouldn’t go down well. She’d brick up the hole I’d made in her defenses and lock me out for good if I treated her like I could control her.

Even if I only wanted to do it for her own good.

I snorted quietly, well aware that plenty of alphas used the excuse that the things they did were for the omega’s welfare. Yes, we were driven to protect, which sometimes meant dominating and forcing them to do things they didn’t want to, but a good alpha knew when the situation called for a softer touch. I might not have liked the state of her roof, but she wasn’t in imminent danger from it, no matter what my bear wanted to claim. He just wanted an excuse to drag her back to our den.

I tried to focus on driving but was hyperaware of the female beside me. Her gentle scent was stronger trapped in an enclosed space, which gave it more effect, my cock throbbing despite the other emotions fighting inside me.

“Tell me about yourself. Are you from here?”

I wasn’t sure I hid my wince at the question. I didn’t like talking about my past any more than she seemed to, but she’d given me little bits, so it was only fair to do the same.

“Not originally. I grew up in the mountains but came to Penford after I left the Army.”

I didn’t feel up to talking about either of those times, so I tried to distract her with things that were easier.

“I bought a motorcycle on a whim after I’d discharged, and rode it until it broke down shortly after I hit the city limits. Sebastian, the alpha you saw at the bar Friday, owns a garage that specializes in motorcycles, and that was how we met. He told me the one I had was trash, but he had one he was rebuilding and was willing to sell.”

I shrugged as I turned a corner, shooting her a grin.

“I didn’t have anything better to do, so I stuck around and helped with the rebuild, and by the time it was finished, I didn’t want to leave. I bought a house not too far away, and in the process of fixing it up I got requests from my neighbors to help with things they needed repaired. By the time I worked my way through those, I’d gotten my licenses and started a contracting company, although it’s really just me and whoever I rope in to help on projects too big for one person.”

The worry I’d seen in her gaze earlier was gone, the soft smile on her face making my chest grow warm. I had to look away before I let myself get too entranced.

“That was back when the Hell’s Knights were just a few of us screwing around at the garage or The Hangout. We’ve grown over the years, made a pack of our own, and are known for helping those who need it. I know motorcycle clubs have bad reputations, but we’re not like most of them.”

It felt important that she realized we were a good group of guys, even if we sometimes did some not-good things. I didn’t think there was an alpha alive who could completely repress his instincts and be perfect, and most of us didn’t bother to try. We were what we were.

Dominant.

Protective.

Sometimes that protectiveness made us possessive, but we tried not to let the darker side leak out. We protected the area and the people we thought of asours, no matter what that took.

“I think I’ve seen that, with the way everyone who comes into The Hangout is comfortable with your group being there. If you were a problem, people would avoid the bar.”

The tightness that had grown in my chest loosened, letting me suck in a full breath after anxiety had constricted my lungs.

I wanted to get to know her better too, but I was scared to ask anything about her past, worried I’d lose the easiness between us. I was saved from the paralysis when I spotted the hardware store and pulled into a spot near the loading doors.

“Ready?”

Gwyn looked a little grim at the prospect of going inside for the supplies, but she nodded before opening her door to slide out.

I knew exactly what we needed since I’d done a fair share of roofs, so I didn’t bother heading down any of the aisles. Gwyn gave me a questioning look as I directed her towards a long desk just inside the big doors, and I grinned as I leaned on the counter.

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