Page 15 of Harvest Brew With the Mountain Man
“Oh boy,” she exhales, turning her seat to face me. Her knees are at my hips as I angle my body toward hers.
“I agree that we’ll keep this from Styx. For now,” I say, bursting her bright bubble. “Until we know more and have a solid plan. Face it, Camille. This is MC business now. He will find out. It’s up to you if it’ll be from you or intel from his brothers.”
Her body deflates. “I worry, West. This can start something big. Dangerous. My brother’s an overprotective knucklehead, but I love that dickhead fiercely.”
The corner of my lip twitches, thinking how fast Styx would say something equally cutting and endearing back. I’ve watched these two grow up. Camille was a surprise baby, but Styx loved the shit out of her. She challenged her parents since she was a toddler. As a kid, I’d laugh when she’d pull some shit that would make her poor, straight-laced parents turn white as ghosts.
Go figure, both kids turned out differently from what they thought.
“What are you going to say about that?” I point to the stitch and bruise formed around it.
Her hand lightly touches the area. “When packing up my apartment, I tripped over a box and hit the corner of the wall.”
“Ouch.”
“Yeah,” she chuckles. “Seems believable enough. Have you heard anything from Nora?”
I shake my head. “She’s still knocked out, I’m sure. Not an early riser. But you can trust her.”
“I know,” she nods. “I remember thinking she was so cool when I started high school. She was a senior.”
“Pain in the ass, is what she is,” I joke.
“Does she hear you say shit like that? How are you not missing both testicles by now?”
I bark a laugh, covering my balls. “Way to paint a picture, Nyx. Shit. Don’t give her ideas.”
This is effortless. There’s a familiarity like home, while also the excitement of getting to know someone new that you—no, West. That you, nothing. You can’t be crushing on your best friend’s younger sister. Your Enforcer MC best friend at that.
“I will be recruiting Holden in this.” Her body locks. “Cami, he’s not in the MC, but he’s involved enough to help. His garagecustom makes bikes and keeps the MC’s shit maintained. We need someone close enough to help us navigate this.”
“But that could put your family in danger, West.” She shakes her head. “This is my problem. Brian somehow got me involved. I need to call him.”
A protective wave so intense propels my body up. “Do not call that fucker.”
Her eyes widen, surprised by my reaction.
“You haven’t told me everything, but you’ve said enough. A man you broke up with over four years ago, who still doesn't get the hint, showing up unannounced at your place of employment and your apartment? That’s trouble.”
She stands and holds onto my forearms, grounding me in this panicked anger.
“I hear you, West, but I’ve managed the situation just fine all these years. I don’t know why they came after me, just that Brian has to be the reason.”
“How is he involved?” I ask, keeping the fury in check.
Her hands lightly squeeze my arms. “Drugs,” she whispers. “I know he owed them money.”
“Fuck,” I spit, closing my eyes. “They think y’all are together?”
I open my eyes to see her shrug. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s told them we are. They’ve probably seen us together.”
My eyes narrow. “When was the last time you two were together?”
“Not together,” she insists.
“Seen together,” I amend.
“The last time I saw Brian was two weeks ago. He cornered me outside my apartment after work. We fought. I got inside the building and locked him out.” My body grows so tense, one wrong move might snap a bone. “Hey,” she shakes me lightly. “West? Look at me.”
