Fuck.
As the sound of his rumbling engine disappears, I sit down at my desk and drum my fingers on the table. A few seconds later, the phone rings.
Shit.
I’ve always prided myself on being competent and adaptable, and it looks like I’m going to have to prove that right now.
“Hello, Fast & Fury Custom Motorcycles, Bronte speaking.” I try to hide the indecision in my voice.
“Bronte, it’s me, Abbie. I just thought I’d call in and say hi.”
Relief washes over me. “Hey, Abbie. It is so great to officially meet you. Or rather talk to you. I want to thank you for getting me this job. It came at the perfect time and I’m indebted to you.”
“It isn’t a problem. I’m just getting used to having a father, and now to hear I have an uncle and a cousin. I’m thrilled! And family looks out for each other.”
I laugh. “Well, you haven’t met us yet; don’t get too excited.”
“So how are you doing on your first day?”
“Crow just left me here alone, so I’m not sure how my first day is going.”
She laughs softly. “Do you want me to come in? I’ll bring you lunch. I’ve been waiting to meet you, Bronte. The second I found out I had a cousin my age, I was so excited.”
“Me too,” I admit. “I’d love for you to come in, but only if you don’t mind.”
“I’ll be there in an hour,” she replies.
When we hang up, I feel so much better. I can’t believe what an asshole Crow is, leaving me here alone on my first day, but Abbie has saved the day for me.
And I’m not going to let him win.
Before Abbie arrives, I do what work I can, which includes organizing all the paperwork on my desk, which happens to be a big pile, and going through the parts-order sheets and trying to understand the system they use here. I pick up on some inconsistencies and a few mistakes, which I fix and make note of.
It’s surprisingly a lot of work. They really did need someone in this role, because their documents aren’t filed or organized. It must be hard to figure out what the hell is going on here.
Crow might not know it yet, but he does need me here, and I’m going to prove that to him.
Chapter Three
“It’s so weird that you know my dad more than I do,” Abbie says, and pops a fry in her mouth. She’s absolutely beautiful, with Uncle Neville’s amber eyes, long dark hair like mine and a curvaceous figure. “I mean, we’ve started seeing each other a lot more now, but it’s still like learning someone from scratch, you know?”
“I love Uncle Neville. He’s a little guarded, but I’d like to say we’re as close as he lets me be,” I say, pick up the soda she brought me and take a sip. “He would always be there for any of us without hesitation.”
Abbie laughs. “That totally sounds like him!”
“I was so surprised to find out he had a daughter he didn’t know about. I’m still trying to process the whole thing. It almost sounds like it could be a movie.”
“You and me both,” she says. “The whole situation has been drama-filled and full of surprises. It’s been really complicated too.”
“Complicated how?”
“Just all the stuff with Dad and who he is. My mom has not been excited that not only am I living here, but I’m also spending time with him. It’s been a whirlwind, but I’m pretty happy where I’m at now. I grew up without a father, so it’s nice having him now. Better late than never.”
I don’t know what she’s referring to about Uncle Neville, but I don’t press. I guess the whole thing would have been so hard to deal with, for everyone involved.
“I’m just glad that we all get to know you now,” I say, smiling.
“Me too.” She beams. “I mean, it sucks we didn’t get to grow up together, but you know what? I feel strangely comfortable with you already.”
“I feel the same,” I admit. “I feel like I’ve known you for longer than just an hour, that’s for sure.”
It sounds cliché, but it’s true. This girl was just meant to be in my life, I know it. Blood connections can be strong.
“Uncle Neville never told me that this place was owned by a motorcycle club.”
“It is. Are you familiar with motorcycle clubs?” she asks, watching my reaction.
I shake my head no.
“When I was growing up, they came into my family’s bar, so I had an idea of them, but I didn’t really know what they did.”
“So how did you end up part of it?” I ask.
Abbie smiles. “It’s a long story and I don’t want to scare you. My story with the Knights is definitely...” She pauses, trying to come up with the right word. “...unconventional.”
Now I’m curious. “You have to tell me more.” Unconventional could mean a lot of things, and I really want to hear this story.
“Let’s just say it started with a kidnapping but ended with me getting a happily ever after,” she explains, wincing.
My eyes feel like they are going to bulge out of my head.
“I know it sounds crazy, and if I’m being honest, it is crazy. But I fell in love with the man, and he’s so good to me. It all worked out in the end.”
I don’t know what to say, so I stay silent.
“And now I’ve scared you. I told you, it’s not a story for the fainthearted. But about Fast & Fury—it’s a completely legitimate business, so you have nothing to worry about,” she assures me, reaching out and touching my arm. “You can trust the men here. Temper is my fiancé, so you can most definitely trust him. He knows you are my family, and that means something here.”
“Right. Crow mentioned that you were with a man named Temper,” I say, trying to put the word kidnapping out of my head. “Uncle Neville mentioned your partner owned this place, but I didn’t know he was your fiancé. Congratulations. Also, what’s with the names around here?”
“Thank you.” She beams, and then laughs. “Bikers and their road names, or nicknames. You’ll get used to them. Temper and I, we’re quite an unlikely couple, but he is definitely the man I’m meant to be with. He used to come into the bar I worked at, one my family owns, every single year. He used to ask me out each time, and each time I’d say no.”
“Why?” I ask, smiling at her love story.