Page 26 of Racer

I blinked at the finality in his tone. Even if I had the energy to push back, there wasn’t room for argument. “Okay.”

His phone rang as we walked toward the clubhouse. Pulling it out of the inner pocket of his cut, he glanced at the screen. “It’s Kane.”

I couldn’t hear the other side of the conversation, but my brows arched when Jude replied, “I’ll find you after she’s settled and not a minute before.”

Nobody talked to Kane like that, but Jude didn’t seem to care. Tapping the screen to end the call, he shoved his cell back in his pocket.

“I probably know the place better than you,” I pointed out. “So you don’t need to help get me settled.”

“Still gonna do it,” he insisted.

Nobody was around when Jude led me inside and down a wide hallway I’d never had a reason to explore before. We stopped at a door near the back.

“My room,” he muttered, unlocking it. “You’re safe here.”

I would’ve been fine in my brother’s room too. But I didn’t suggest that. Not when a big part of me wanted to stay exactly where Jude put me.

Jude shut the door behind us and leaned his weight against it for a second, his eyes scanning the room before finally landing on me. “Sit tight. Rest. I’ll be back soon.”

My brows lifted. “Where are you going?”

“To deal with Kane.” He straightened. “Don’t open that door for anyone but me.”

I shook my head with a soft laugh. “This is my brother’s club. The president is practically another brother to me. No Redline King would ever hurt me.”

“Good,” he muttered. Then he was gone.

Rolling my eyes at his overprotectiveness, I decided to use my alone time wisely. The room Kane had given Jude—with its en suite bathroom—was a sign of how much he respected him.

I took a quick shower to wash off the scent of smoke that clung to my skin. Wrapping a towel around me, I realized the downside of not driving myself to the compound. I didn’t have anything else to wear except my coveralls, which were filthy with grease, soot, and fire suppressant.

Spotting a black duffel in the closet, I dug through Jude’s things for a tee and pair of sweats. I had just tugged them on when the door opened again.

I whirled around and let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

My gaze scanned his muscular body.

Quirking a brow, he asked, “What’re you lookin’ for?”

“Any signs that you and Kane got into a fight.”

Jude smirked. “Kane won’t interfere. Not as long as I keep my promise.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What promise?”

“Club business.”

“Seriously?” I huffed. “I hate when my brother pulls that crap, so don’t expect me to just accept that two-word explanation and not ask any more questions.”

“Give me a promise of your own, and maybe I’ll tell you more.”

“What kind of promise?” I asked suspiciously.

“After what happened back at the track, you’re not leaving this clubhouse alone,” he explained. “If I’m not with you, I want you to wear my spare cut.”

I gasped, stunned by what he was asking. “Why?”

“It’ll give you another layer of protection.” He stalked over to me and gripped my hips. “And I protect what’s mine.”

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