He takes my hand and leads me up three steps onto a porch, then keys the door.
Flipping the light, he shuts the door behind us, and I get my first look around.
The place is rustic with a big stone fireplace with windows in the corners on either side. It’s decorated with warm colors, overstuffed armchairs, and colorful braided rugs.
I rub my upper arms.
“I’ll get a fire going. The place will warm up in no time.”
“Keno, my bike is destroyed. I need to get it fixed. God, I’m so pissed. Who would have done that?”
“Could have been anybody. We’ll deal with it tomorrow.”
“Have you been here before?” I ask.
“Nope.”
“But Rock gave you the key?”
“Yep.”
“He knows you were bringing me up here?”
“Actually, it was his idea.”
My brows lift. “What? Why?”
“Because I needed a safe place to put you, and the club doesn’t have a safe house.”
“Safe house? Put me? What the hell are you talking about?” I throw out a hip.
“Babe, don’t get your panties in a wad. I needed a place where I knew you couldn’t contact your brothers.” He holds out his hand. “Give me your phone?”
“Why?”
“Can’t have you calling them, Six.” He waggles his fingers. “Hand it over.”
I know he’ll wrestle me for it if he has to, so I pull it out and smack it hard into his palm. That only earns me a grin.
He shoves it in his pocket and moves to the fireplace, calling over his shoulder. “There should be some whiskey in a cabinet. Why don’t you pour us both some?”
I want to stomp my foot, but I don’t need Keno mad at me. I may have to ask him not to kill my brothers later, and it’d be better if he still liked me when I do it.
“Fine.” I whirl and head to the kitchen area.
I find a bottle in a cabinet next to some short cut glasses. I fill them and carry them into the living room.
Keno is squatted down, tossing logs in a pile, then adding kindling. Soon flames lick up the side of the logs, snapping andcrackling. The two of us stand in front of the blaze, warming up and watching the yellow flames crawl over the bark of a new log. I pass him a glass, and he clinks his to mine.
“Cheers,” I say.
“Warmer?” Keno asks, staring at it.
I nod and hold my hand to the heat.
He watches me intently. “You know I want you to be happy, right?”
“Yes.” And suddenly I’m afraid of what’s coming.