Hating You, Loving You (Inked Hearts 4)

I nod.

She catches herself smiling. Shakes it off.

The woman still despises me.

And I still love it.

I shift back to discussing work. "Ryan paying you?"

"You're a co-owner."

"And?"

"You don't keep track of that?"

I shake my head. I trust Ryan. Why take on extra work when he's got it covered?

"Yeah," she says. "Not much, but enough."

"You have a second job?"

She shakes her head. "I have a cheap place to stay."

"Nearby?"

"You're not invited."

"I wasn't asking."

"Not yet."

I can't help but smile.

Even after all this time, she knows me too fucking well.

Chapter Four

Dean

"What's with the fuck me eyes?" Ryan asks.

I feign ignorance. Ryan can chew me out if he wants, but I'm not going to make it easy for him.

"She's a good kid."

"Are you her dad?"

"You scare her off, I make you hurt."

"You won't hurt me."

"Try me."

I mime pushing my sleeves up my arms. Make fists. "Let's go. I'll snap you like a twig."

"You want pain, say it again." His voice perks to that tone he used when we were kids. It's a challenge, not a threat.

It's tempting. I've always wanted to fight Ryan. Must be some primal thing, needing to prove I can take my older brother. I've always been bigger. Stronger.