Warnings and Wildfires

She reaches out, pulling me into a hug. “I hate him for doing this to you again,” she says.

I heave out a breath. “Me too.” I turn and catch Sully’s eye. “I’m so sorry—”

“No.” He holds up a hand, cutting off my apology. “This isn’t your fault. Besides, I have a few days off while the insurance company jerks me around and my mother has been more than happy to put me to work.”

“See, I always told you momma’s boys make good boyfriends,” Celia says loud enough for Sully to hear and laugh.

I laugh with them, but inside I feel awful. Even if he refuses to admit it, his main source of income is gone because of me.

Sully’s hand touches my shoulder. “It’s only temporary, Aubrey. I can always pick up a few classes at Wrath’s gym or find a few workshops to teach.”

I appreciate the effort to relieve my guilt.

But as soon as we return to his house, I pull out my laptop.

“What are you doing?” he asks.

“It’s time to work on part two of my Business Communications project.”

He narrows his eyes, but a teasing smile plays over his lips. “I don’t know if I’m in the mood for one of your video sessions.” He leans in and tickles his fingers over my ribs, making me laugh.

Pushing him away, I nod to the screen. “I have plenty of footage. I need to edit it into useful content.”

“Need help?”

“Sure. You can help me come up with some compelling descriptions.”

He takes a seat next to me and bumps my shoulder. “See, we’re a perfect team. I give you the boring fitness jargon and you punch it up into something interesting.”

My nose stings. The simple compliment means so much to me. “Thank you.”

We work together for most of the afternoon. Accomplishing so much helps alleviate some of my guilt.

Our night is almost perfect.

If only Darren wasn’t out there waiting to ruin everything.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

A week later, we’re finally given the all-clear to start repairing the gym. Aubrey’s ex had finally been questioned but swore he had no knowledge of what happened or even who I was. The letter Aubrey gave his parole officer didn’t seem to be enough to convince him. I’ve been told the Sheriff’s department is still looking into it, which gives me little comfort. Most importantly, he hasn’t tried to contact Aubrey again.

Oh yeah, I was warned to stay far away from the guy. As if I’m the problem and not that lunatic.

Today, I have more important things on my mind.

After wrapping up some car shopping, I walk into Strike Back to find a team of people already hard at work.

Wrath’s size makes him the first one I identify. “What’s going on?”

He turns and flashes one of his scary-ass biker smiles. “Hammering up some drywall, bro.” Deep, rumbling laughter follows his words. “Where ya been?”

Murphy ambles up next to him and nods at me. “Jake promised us food and alcohol in exchange for our labor.”

“Bullshit,” Jake calls out. “You’re here because of your deep love and respect for me.”

“Okay,” Murphy says, rolling his eyes. “Whatever you say.”

My gaze darts between my brother and the two bikers in front of me. “What’s going on?”

“You take a hit to the head when this went down?” Wrath asks. “We’re repairing the walls.” He speaks each word slow and deliberately as if I need the extra time to comprehend them. “Got two prospects coming over to paint on Thursday. So this needs to get done now.”

“I can’t ask them to do that.”

“You’re not. I am. They wanna patch in one day, they do what they’re told. They don’t want an ass-kickin’ they’ll make sure they do a good job.” He slaps Murphy’s shoulder. “Besides, my little ginger Road Captain’s gonna stick around to supervise.”

Murphy’s eyes widen. “What now?” He scratches a hand over his beard. “I’m not a prospect. Why do I have to listen to you?”

Wrath ignores him and focuses on me. “Don’t worry, Sullivan. I’ll give you a nice, legit bill for the insurance company when we’re done.”

Great, probably a way to help the Lost Kings MC launder some money. Just what I need.

But you know what? I don’t care. Every contractor I’ve contacted is booked out for months. I can’t afford to stay closed that long. Wrath’s in business with my brother. He doesn’t have to be here doing menial work to help my gym when he has his own to run. He’s doing it out of respect for Jake and I’m not about to turn down his help.

“Thank you.” I hold out my hand and Wrath shakes it. “Appreciate it.”

“Ruthless and Royal!” Jake shouts, drawing our attention to the front door.

Remy and Griff stroll in. Remy shakes his head. “Damn, you weren’t kidding about the damage.” He lifts his chin in Jake’s direction. “Who’d you piss off now?”

Jake shrugs off the question and I appreciate him not offering up Aubrey’s personal story for discussion.

“Jesus Christ,” Remy says, squinting at Wrath. “You’re a fucking legend. Don’t suppose you’re willing to come out of retirement?”

Wrath raises one blond eyebrow at me in a who-are-these-little-punks expression that actually makes me laugh.

I gesture to the half-demolished gym around us. “We’re closed if you haven’t noticed.”

“We’re here to help,” Griff says. “Got loads of experience fixing walls.” He jerks a thumb in Remy’s direction. “Redoing his grandmother’s house. Hideous wallpaper everywhere.”

&nb

sp; Remy’s hand shoots out, giving Griff a quick shove. “Don’t you insult my grandma.”

“I’m not, asshole.”

Jake slaps Remy and Griff on the shoulders and pushes them in Wrath’s direction, ending their bickering. “These are my little protégées I told you about.”

Griff scowls at Jake. “There’s nothing little about either of us, old man.”

Jake smacks him on the back of the head and nods Murphy’s way. “This is Murphy. He’s joining us full time at Furious.”

“You fight?” Remy asks.

Great, maybe all the underground fighters in the area can start using my gym to socialize.

Shaking my head, I duck into my office. Jake follows me.

“You’re not mad, are you?” he asks.

“No. Thank you for arranging this.”

He shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Wrath likes it when you owe him a favor.”

My mouth twists into a wry smile. “I’m sure.” My amusement fades as I flip through the stack of bills in my hand. I’ll deal with them tomorrow. “I have to pick Aubrey up from school. But I’ll be back later.”

Outside my office, Wrath laughs. “I knew I was right about you and the little pixie.”

“Shut up.” I chuckle and slap him on the back as I head out.

Jake cocks his head toward the parking lot. “Are they delivering it today?”

“Yup, should be within an hour or so.”

He stops me with a hand on my chest. “You know I’ll look out for her too. Give her rides to school. Whatever you need, right?”

“Yeah, I know.” I pull him in for a quick hug. “Thanks. I’ll be back later to help. Text me if I need to pick up any supplies.”

Aubrey’s waiting in her usual spot, talking to her friend, Emily, and another girl I don’t recognize. I pull up to the curb and flip through the radio while I wait for her.

The door creaks open and she peers in at me. “Why didn’t you honk or something?” she asks, passing me her backpack, which I set behind her seat.

She climbs in and kisses me before I have a chance to answer and by the time we’re finished I forgot the question.