“That must’ve takenyears.”
He shrugs like it’s no big deal, but to me, it’s a huge deal. “Some I bought restored. Others, I just couldn’t walk away from. Like that Wagoneer. That’d be the start of a fun project.”
Warmth spreads through me.
“Eli would probably let you poke around, if you asked. He’s a shark when it comes to negotiating, though. Especially when he smells money.”
“I don’t think he’s going to smell money.” Kane glances down at his grease-stained T-shirt, torn jeans, and motorcycle boots.
When I first saw him in them this morning, I almost had a minor heart attack. He’s like a chameleon. But this wasn’t some kind of costume, like he was trying to blend into the situation. This is Kane being Kane. And apparently all he has to do is add grease and ripped denim to have me desperate to tear the clothes off him.
“Even in those, he’ll see it.”
“I can handle myself,” he says, and I have no doubt he can. The man is more capable than anyone I’ve ever met before. It doesn’t matter the setting, he gives off an air of confidence that’s sexy as hell.
And if I don’t stop thinking in this vein, we’re never getting out of this Tahoe.
I reach for the door. “Let’s go inside.”
“What the fuck,Tempe? You know better than to bring anyone here.” Elijah’s tone sounds straight pissed off as he tosses the angle grinder on the workbench and stalks toward us. “Who the fuck are you, asshole?”
Kane’s jaw tightens, and I suddenly wonder how badly I screwed up by not giving Elijah a heads-up that we were coming, because it looks like I’m about to witness a brawl.
“Don’t you fucking talk to her like that.” Kane steps in front of me, his hands clenching into fists by his side.
“I’ll talk to her however the hell I want. You’re in my house, on my property, and I make the rules here.”
“I’m sorry, Eli. I wasn’t thinking.”
Kane shoots a look at me over his shoulder. “Don’t apologize to him.”
He faces off with Elijah in the center of the large metal building. There are way too many potential weapons within reach, and I’m regretting my impulse to come here.
“You want to come into my house and talk shit? Think you can take me, tough guy?”
“Apologize to the lady.” It’s an order from Kane.
“I’m not apologizing for shit. She knows better. She doesn’t bring anyone here, and if she does, they aren’t leaving.”
Kane has a gun at Elijah’s temple before I even see him pull it. “Is that right?”
“Please, Kane. Don’t. He doesn’t mean to be a dick. He just can’t help it sometimes.”
Kane doesn’t even look at me. “No one talks to her like that. I don’t give a fuck who you are or how many cars you chop. I will bury you in your own backyard, motherfucker.”
There’s a long moment of silence, and I wonder if Elijah is going to break or if I’m going to have to grab a wrench to swing at both their heads before someone does die.
“Fuck you,” Elijah grits out.
Great.
“Stop. Both of you. Please.” I look at Elijah. “He’s protecting me because Rafe got into some bad shit. Mount’s orders. He’s not going to say anything to anyone.”
“Temperance,” Kane starts, but Elijah’s eyes widen as he looks from me to Kane.
“You’re one of his fucking lackeys, aren’t you? Think you’re a big shot because your boss owns downtown?”
“I’m nobody’s anything, but if you don’t apologize to Temperance, then I’ll be the guy who gives you a world-class beating as a lesson on how to treat women before I end you.”