Page 14 of Primal Urges

“I’m from the West Coast,” Lucas finally managed.

Okay. Vague much?

Caden leaned back with his ass pressed up against the table. He studied their newest addition.

The boy was slim and clean-cut, with light-brown hair that was neatly styled. He wasn’t like the rest of them. He didn’t exude confidence or give off that bad-boy vibe. He wasn’t covered in tattoos—not that Cade could see, anyway—and he didn’t strut around like he owned the world.

Instead, he appeared shy and nervous and definitely uncomfortable being gawked at by a room full of testosterone-fueled men who pumped iron and were addicted to inking their bodies.

If the guy was so uncomfortable around rough-looking dudes, why was he working at a biker bar?

Ace continued to gawk at Lucas, confused and clearly wondering if he should follow up with another question or just let things go. Ace was a talker and enjoyed getting to know people.

Not being able to converse with someone who fascinated him must be driving Ace crazy.

Caden tried not to laugh at Ace. The boy had issues.

Marcus placed a hand on Lucas’s shoulder, no doubt sensing the discomfort emanating from the boy.

“It doesn’t matter where he’s from or what brought him to this shithole we call home. What matters is that he is here now and part of our brotherhood. The Shadow Vipers take care of their family, so we are all going to look after him and make sure that he settles in nicely.”

Caden smiled.

That was one of the things he loved about his boss. The man knew when to back off and when to give people their space. He was their leader, their protector, and also their friend.

While their crew might be filled with intimidating-looking men, deep down, they all cared for one another.

The Shadow Vipers were a big, messed-up family who always had each other’s backs—even when they were being vague and shifty as hell.

“That’s enough lovey-dovey bullshit for one day,” Marcus continued. “Get your asses back to work and make me some money.”

Around the room, people mumbled curses and made sarcastic comments as they all moseyed back to their assigned duties. They all loved their boss and fearless leader, but they also had images to protect. Feigning protest was one way that they could all pretend that they had the balls to actually stand up to their boss.

“Tough, macho biker who sucks boss’s dick” did not have the same effect as “smart-ass tough guy who doesn’t let anyone tell him what to do.”

One scenario would get you laid; the other would make you some man’s bitch in a federal penitentiary.

Yes, that was what they all told themselves, but deep down, they all knew that if it came down to it, they would all get down on their knees and open wide if Marcus asked.

Sunday nights were never busy at the bar. That meant that Caden and Nikolai could alternate working the Sunday shift. They didn’t need two bouncers working the door, so Cade was free to hang out inside the bar most of the evening, helping with various tasks.

“So, what do you think about our newest addition?” Cade asked Alexis, who was wiping out the inside of a pint glass.

She glanced over at Lucas, who was trying to hang a dartboard that had fallen at some point during last night’sbattle of the drunken dart masters.

Looking all masterful and determined, Lucas held a hammer in one hand, a nail in his mouth, and was propping the dartboard up against the wall with his other hand.

“How long do you think it will take him to realize he needs another hand to hammer the nail into the wall?” Cade asked, amused by the hopelessness of their newest addition.

“Yeah. He does look a little lost, doesn’t he?”

They both watched as Lucas fumbled around, trying to balance both items while attempting to grab the nail out of his mouth with the hand holding the hammer.

The boy looked confused.

“You may want to go give the kid a hand before he hurts himself,” she added, still watching him struggle.

Cade let out a snort before straightening up and making his way to the back of the bar.

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