Broken but Breathing (Jinx Tattoos 2)

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“So who’s this tart you’re sending in here for me to train?” Kali asked, taking a sip of her energy drink as he leaned against the heavy oak desk in the office.

“She’s not a tart,” he snarled. He knew the types of girls some of the brothers brought around. He wouldn’t have Kali thinking she was an easy lay looking for a good time.

“Oh ho, this is serious indeed,” Kali said with a wicked cackle.

He shook his head at her obvious glee. “She’s a good friend who’s been through a lot. She’s trying to get herself together and I’m helping.”

“You bringing me some junkie biker bunny?” Kali asked. Her brow furrowed, and her lips curled up with contempt.

“No, nothing like that. She lost her family a few years back, and it screwed with her head. Put her life on pause. She’s getting back out there and I want to provide a cushion and a safe place.”

“I take it she doesn’t know you own this place,” Kali said.

“No, and I want to keep it that way.”

Kali snickered. “It’s your funeral.”

“You think she’ll be mad?”

“I know I’d be pissed if it felt like you pulled one over on me when I was trying to get back on my feet.”

He thought of her small stature. “I’ll take the risk.”

“I hope I’m there when this blows up.”

“You’re so damn bloodthirsty, Kal.”

She laughed. “Are you kidding me? Have you met my brother? It’s in my DNA.”

“You got a softer side, you just try to hide it.”

Kali rolled her eyes. “Is this the blonde I’ve been hearing whispers about?”

“Gossiping old women, I swear,” Snake muttered.

She laughed. “So that’s a yes. You want me to show her the ropes, hang back and observe, yeah?”

Snake nodded. It was time he started testing her to see how well she fit into this world he’d brought her into. Loose lips sank ships, and he needed to know that she could think fast in a sticky situation. For the most part the Wild Ones operated a completely legal operation, but there were always areas of grey.

“All right, I’ll do what you want. Hopefully, she pans out. It’d be nice to get some female friends around the club.” She finished off her drink, pitched the can in the garbage, and walked out of the room with her full hips swaying. Dressed in a pair of skintight jeans with bedazzled pockets and a white T-shirt that stood out against her mocha-colored skin, she was as sexy as she was sassy. She wore her dark locks in a faux curly Mohawk that highlighted her oval-shaped face, high cheekbones, and full red lips. If he hadn’t been blinded by grief when he first joined, he would’ve gone after her. Now, she was like a sister. Besides, he liked his face the way it was. Her overprotective brother would demolish anyone who tried to do more than flirt with his baby sister.

A knock on the door and a look at their cameras signaled Es’s arrival. Kali returned to the bar with more clean glasses for the bar.

“Damn, you’re glowing. How serious is this?” Kali asked.

“What?” he asked, turning to focus on the woman grinning beside him.

“Nothing,” she replied, patting his face. “Let’s go let Estelle in.”

She stalked toward the door with purpose, and Snake felt a moment of apprehension. He never knew what the hell Kali was going to say or do. He rushed after her. Kali opened the door with a grin and his jaw dropped slightly. Es had on a knee-high black wrap dress that showed just how much weight she’d put on, and four-inch heels which made her legs look insanely long. He cleared his throat.

“Welcome, Estelle. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

“It is?” Es said.

“I told you, my brothers are worse than school girls,” Snake replied, narrowing his eyes at Kali. “Come on in, Kali will take you to the office and perform the interview. I’m a little bias I think.”