Page 42 of Cost of Courting

How perfect.

“Well, that’s two in a month. What’s going on, Bailey?” An older guy asks. He’s as tall as Bailey, but that’s where the similarities end. Andy Anderson, the hard faced, tough as nails president of the Despair Motorcycle Club has hard hazel eyes, greying brown hair that hangs to his mid-back, a beard and muscles covered in tattoos. His fingers are adorned with chunky rings. He looks every inch a biker.

Bailey glances at him and back at the fire. “Got some problems down here that need sorting.”

“That so?”

Bailey makes an affirmative noise.

I sidle over and hold out my hand to the president of the Despair MC club. “Kingston Noctis.”

His eyes sharpen, which means he’s not finding this game of ours amusing at all. When he shakes my hand, he squeezes it hard, rubbing bones together. I have to fight back the crazy urge to laugh.

“Pack Dread is here? What are you doing in my city?”

I snort a laugh at the shiver that runs down his spine. The telltale bark is not powerful enough to compel me.

“Just,” I bite my bottom lip, trying to hide my smile, “cleaning house.” My mocking tone doesn’t go unnoticed.

Anderson narrows his eyes. “We don’t want no trouble. Best behaviour in my city.”

Bailey does a double take, finally realising that there is something wrong.

He doesn’t even see the tip of what’s wrong here.

I let the prez steadily get more angry as I hold out my answer for a minute. “Not after the club. We’re looking for a cat.”

He nods with a stiff, jerky movement, and I think I see his fingers twitch towards his gun. “I’ve heard rumours one settled here, but my attempts to flush it from the shadows have been unsuccessful. If there’s anything you need-” He glances at Bailey with a concerned frown.

I step up behind Bailey and slide my hand possessively up around his chest. Anderson’s eyes blaze with fury. He wants so badly to out me, but if he outs me, his crimes will come to the forefront, too.

We have a secret that the dark-haired god doesn’t know. A big one. One that could get us all in trouble.

“Our Bailey will call you and let you know.”

He wants to argue. I can see it. He’s afraid for his son. I think I would be, too.

Bailey leans back unconsciously. He’s still staring at the flames. I don’t even know if he’s even registered my possessive hold.

“Bailey,” Anderson says hesitantly, glancing at me with murder in his gaze.

Andy wants to unleash all his rage upon us. He is livid. I can see it in every line of his body. The words are right there, filling his mouth, but he can’t spit them out.

“It’s all right, Dad. I know what I’m doing.”

And maybe, just maybe, I’ve underestimated the biker. Bailey removes my hand and goes to his dad, drawing him away from us. They talk for several minutes, with several angry looks our way, before the Despair MC that was hanging around leave. Bailey keeps his back to us for several minutes.

He turns with a sigh like he’s giving in.

“I need to know how she does it. How she fights it. That’s why I’m giving you three the time of day. And be grateful because I just convinced my dad not to put a hit on you.”

I grin. His refusal to admit to his feelings is cute. He will give in eventually.

“Let's go get something for everyone to eat and go back and ask her, then.”

Bailey glowers in my direction and heads towards the much more quiet Edric.

He shouldn’t, though, because Edric’s bonds are bouncing around like an overtired puppy. He is fixing to make some stupid decisions and have a whole heap of fun.