Page 48 of Then Came Love
Chapter Nine
JAX PULLED INTO the parking lot of Whiskey Bro’s, wishing he knew what was going on in Jordan’s mind. They’d had a moment back there in his gardens. An earth-moving-beneath-his-feet moment, but she’d been quiet ever since.
Her brow furrowed as she eyed the shady-looking biker bar and the plethora of motorcycles and trucks lining the lot. “Are you sure this is the right place?”
“Yeah. Didn’t Finlay mention that her husband, Bullet, and his family own this bar? Finlay works here part time and runs her catering business out of the kitchen.”
“No, she didn’t, and neither did Trixie. Her husband’s name is Bullet?”
“Yeah, and I know how that sounds, but you can relax. They’re a biker family. Bullet’s great-grandfather founded the Dark Knights motorcycle club, and the guys go by their road names. Bones is a doctor, Bullet is former Special Forces, and Bear is a hell of a mechanic and designs custom motorcycles. Rumor has it, Bear earned his road name when he fought a bear.”
“Holy cow. What are their parents like?”
“Biggs and Red are two of the greatest people around. Biggs had a stroke a number of years ago, and he no longer rides, but he’s a tough biker through and through. If you meet him, you’ll have no doubt that if there was trouble, he’d throw down his cane and jump right in, and Red is tough as nails, too, like her daughter, Dixie, but she’s kind as the day is long.”
Jordan looked at the entrance to the bar, where three burly, bearded men wearing black leather vests with Dark Knights patches on the back were talking. Her fingers curled around the edge of her seat. “I’ve never been around a biker gang. Are you sure it’s safe?”
He put his hand over hers, squeezing it reassuringly. “They’re a club, not a gang. They’re just a bunch of guys who enjoy riding and living a biker lifestyle. Some of them are tattooed and bearded, and others are clean-cut with no ink. I promise you’re safe. I can keep you safe anywhere we go, but the Dark Knights? They’ve been keeping this entire town safe for decades. Come on. You’ll have fun.”
“If you say so.”
Jax put his arm around her as they walked up to the entrance, not because he needed to, but because he wanted her to feel protected. The guys standing by the steps looked over as they approached. “Good evening, gentlemen.”
They nodded, saying a collective “Evening.”
Jordan smiled nervously as they ascended the steps and went into the rustic bar. They were greeted by the din of conversation, music, and the clack of billiard balls. Jordan’s gaze moved over the sea of black leather vests worn by people sitting at tables and milling around the pool tables and dart boards in the back of the bar, as a room full of curious eyes turned their way.
Trepidation wafted off Jordan like a shiver of cold air.
Jax put his arm around her, speaking low. “Give them a break for staring. It’s not every day a woman with movie-star good looks walks in.”
She smiled. “There you go again, making me feel better.”
“Come on. That’s Bullet behind the bar. Let’s find out where Finlay is.”
Bullet was the most intimidating of the Whiskey brothers at six five and probably two fifty, with cold dark eyes that Jax had seen stop men in their tracks. He wore a black leather vest over a black T-shirt, revealing tattoos from neck to wrist.
“That’s Finlay’s husband? He looks like a biker named Bullet. Who’s the cute brunette bartender?”
“Izzy Ryder. Before moving to Maryland, she worked in Boston with Finlay and at my buddy Jared Stone’s restaurant. He owns Nova Lounge and about a dozen other restaurants around the world.”
“You know Jared Stone?” she asked as they made their way across the scuffed and marred wooden floors toward the bar. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, given your clientele.”
“He’s a cool guy. Have you been to Nova Lounge?”
“No. Todd’s been talking about checking it out for months, but every time I get a reservation, I end up having to cancel.”
Jax gritted his teeth against the comment trying to escape about her prick fiancé. “I’ll take you there one night, and I never break a promise.”
She raised her brows. “I don’t think that’s true, Mr. Oops, I Flirted Again.”
Jax laughed heartily.
Bullet lifted his chin in their direction. “Braden,” he said gruffly, his dark eyes sweeping curiously over Jordan. “Evenin’, sweetheart.”
“Hi,” Jordan said with a smile.
“You two here for karaoke?” Bullet asked.
“You have karaoke?” Jordan asked excitedly.
“Yeah. It’s a new thing Izzy insisted we do,” Bullet said. “The chicks dig it.”
“I love karaoke.” Jordan looked at Jax. “Do you?”
“I do now. So you sing?”
“Oh, God no, but I love watching other people sing. I’d never get up onstage.”
We’ll see about that.“Bullet, this is my friend Jordan. She has an appointment with Finlay for a cake tasting.”
“My wife mentioned you and your man were coming in.” He looked curiously at Jax. “You’re not…?”
I wish.“No. I’m here for moral support.”
“My fiancé got tied up with work and couldn’t make it to town,” Jordan explained.
Bullet’s brows slanted. “Too busy for you? Dude needs to get his priorities straight before walking you down the aisle, darlin’. Where I’m from, nothing comes ahead of a man’s queen.”
Jordan looked at the brawny biker a little dreamily, but at the same time, Jax noticed a shadow of sadness in her eyes. He wanted to take that pain away and said, “He’s got a pretty important position.”
Bullet scoffed and shook his head. Then he set a serious stare on Jordan. “Don’t you worry, darlin’. You’re in good hands with Jax.” He looked toward the kitchen, where Finlay, a petite blonde, was coming through the doors. “There’s my girl now. Yo, Lollipop! Get your sweet ass over here. You’ve got company.”
