This makes Logan smile. “Is that how you got your face punched in?”
I smirk. “You should see the other guys. I was defendin’ your cousin’s honor, and I’m not sorry. I’d do it again if I had to.”
“I heard about that. What’s Nova doin’ hangin’ around a bar like that?”
“She got invited by a couple of girls who she thought were her friends. Turned out they were just little bitches who ended up leavin’ her there by herself,” I say. “And you know how I feel about women bein’ disrespected, especially Nova.”
“When are you gonna admit you’ve got feelings for her?” Logan asks, folding his arms over his chest.
I glance over his shoulder to make sure Hothead 1 and 2 aren’t coming my way. Logan is the calmer of the brothers, with Haze coming in second. Brew? Sometimes he still scares the shit out of me, and I’ve known him a while. “We’re good. We’re friends. I look out for her?—”
“Cut the crap,” Logan says. “I see it in the way you look at each other. Might have been a friend’s thing a while back, but lately you’ve been different. And while I support your overall goal, I am gonna make it clear that Nova has dealt with too many assholes fucking her around. We all know she’s a handful, but she’s family. So it’s your funeral if this turns on its head.”
“Wow, is that a Nomad Brothers’ approval?” I mock, placing a hand over my heart. “I’m touched.”
“You’ll be fuckin’ touched alright if she gets hurt.”
I sober, understanding where he’s coming from, which is no joke. “I care about her,” I say. “Too much to ever hurt her. I’d never do that. You have my word. The last thing I’m gonna do is anythin’ to make her upset.”
“Good. Because I’ve seen a change in her, and personally? I think the two of you make a cute couple.”
I laugh. “Really?”
“Yeah, but don’t tell my brothers I said that.”
“Don’t tell us what?” Haze asks, sidling up next to his brother. For two huge guys, they sure are stealthy.
“That the two of you are the dumbest idiots bringin’ the van here with two captives inside,” Logan says, turning to face them.
“Who’s gonna tell?” Haze shrugs. “Hold on to your panties, we’re headin’ to the warehouse now, you taggin’ along?”
“Only so the three of you don’t get pulled over and fuckin’ arrested. I’m drivin’,” Logan says, and I toss him the keys.
Brew joins us and hops in the front. “Been a long time since you’ve tagged along,” he says to Logan. “Are you considerin’ what Cash said?”
Logan sighs. “I’d be lyin’ if I said the lure of some extra dough to do the place up wouldn’t be nice, but that means a slice for the MC.”
Once we’re all inside, he pulls out of the lot.
“Still, you know the bar could be better than it is with some refurbishing and a lick of fresh paint, and if you buy the buildin’ next door, you could expand into food,” I say.
“I’d probably sublet it,” Logan says. “Maybe a takeout with burgers and stuff. They could service the bar, too. I’ve got no interest in doin’ any of that shit myself, got enough to do day in, day out. The bar tides me over, and whatever my cut is from the security biz, but things are gettin’ old and it’s startin’ to show.”
Haze leans forward and pats him on the shoulder. “You’ll be okay, brother. You’re still young to us.”
I laugh and Brew snickers, but Logan shoves his hand away. “Hilarious. The thing is, I’d have to give up a considerable amount of my time to the MC, and while I don’t have anythin’ against them or any of you, that’s a big commitment.”
“Maybe it’s time,” I suggest. “Take a load off at the bar, close for a month or two for renovations and reopen. If you’re makin’ more money, you could hire a bar manager, get more staff, andwith the income from the restaurant, you’d be a mile ahead instead of scrapin’ by.”
Logan turns to look at me. “You a finance geek under all that leather?”
I shrug. “Nope. Don’t have to be a genius at it. Let’s face it, you’re not gettin’ any younger, when’s the last time you took a day off?”
Haze chuckles, and Brew looks at me from the rearview mirror. “He’s gonna whoop your ass the second we get out if you keep harpin’ on about home truths.”
“Givin’ some of my income to the MC is a factor,” Logan says. “But then again, Cash has the extra money for expansion and I don’t.”
“You practically live and breathe MC,” Haze adds. “May as well put a patch on it and start hangin’ with us at the clubhouse. What the fuck do you do night after night?”