Page 32 of Seeking Vengeance
Sean withheldhis fist pump and the great bighooyahburning to break free but just barely. “You start tomorrow. Be at the garage at six.” He’d make sure everyone, including Nick, was gone by then.
She nodded, suddenly looking very tired again.
“Now,” he said, “are you ready for your signing bonus?”
The weariness was gone instantly. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Signing bonus?”
“Yeah, come on.” He stood and held out his hand for her. When she made no move to join him, he dropped his voice and leaned in further. “Don’t you trust me, Nicki? Or is it yourself that you don’t trust?”
He felt her tense, felt the air around her electrify with his soft-spoken challenge. She stood, crowding him when he refused to take a step back.
Tilting her head to look up into his face, she said, “You don’t scare me.”
He laughed then, a low rumble deep in his throat. “Then, you’re the first, baby.”
She was so close that he could feel her heat, smell the honeyed vanilla of her hair, and he realized his plan was beginning to backfire as his own control was severely threatened. He stepped back enough to allow her to exit the booth but possessively placed his hand on her lower back as he guided her toward the exit.
He nodded to an older man seated at the counter. “Daideo,” Sean said in greeting.
Conlan O’Leary, Sean’s maternal grandfather, was the owner of the small diner. Conlan smiled and nodded in return. Then, he looked at Nicki and winked knowingly.
“Do you know him?” Nicki asked as they emerged into the sunlight.
“Yeah,” Sean confirmed but didn’t expand on that.
She’d probably suspect a conspiracy if he explained it to her.
“Where are we going?” Nicki asked, trying hard to hide her curious interest and failing.
“You’ll see,” was all he said.
Within minutes, they pulled into the parking lot of Big Mo’s, the custom cycle shop where his cousin-in-law Kyle McCullough worked. Kyle was nationally known for his genius in creating custom machines and was married to Sean’s cousin, Celina—or Lina to family and friends. Anyone with Nicki’s penchant for mechanics and bikes would know Kyle; it was like a basketball fanatic getting to spend an afternoon with LeBron James.
Sean felt no guilt whatsoever in using his family connections to gain a few points in his favor.
“A cycle shop?” Nicki asked, bemused but clearly interested.
“Not just any cycle shop,” Sean told her as he nodded to Mo and led the way into the employees-only back room. He kept her moving, afraid that if he had to endure the lusty glances Mo was shooting Nicki’s way, he might do some damage.
“Sean!” a feminine voice shrieked only seconds before a mass of blonde wrapped him in an affectionate hug. “It’s so good to see you!”
“Hey, Lina.” Sean chuckled, returning her embrace.
He was more than a little pleased to see the flash of a scowl across Nicki’s face before she could hide it. Nicki was jealous! There was no reason for her to be, but he’d take it.
“I’d like you to meet someone. Lina, this is Nicki, the one I was telling you about. Nicki, meet my cousin Lina.”
Nicki nodded in greeting, but her confusion was as obvious as her relief.
“Hi, Nicki!” Lina said cheerfully. “Come on back. Kyle’s waiting for you.”
Nicki looked questioningly at Sean, but he just smiled and indicated that Nicki should follow Lina.
“Is she always so cheerful?” Nicki murmured out of the side of her mouth so only Sean could hear.
“Yes.” He grinned. “Perpetual sunshine, that one. But don’t be fooled. She’s every bit as tough as a Callaghan even though she’s technically from the Connelly side of the family.” His grin grew as he leaned closer. “And her tat’s a lot bigger than yours.”
The area right around Nicki darkened considerably. She turned to see what—or ratherwho—had cast her in shadow. Sean bit back a smile as she looked up … and up … into the face of the very large man standing there. Even he had to admit that Kyle cut an imposing figure. He was dressed in black jeans with a black T-shirt stretched taut across a massive chest with long black hair and black shades despite the fact that they were indoors. Her lips parted in shock.
