The Biker's Fate Chapter 616

Hatch leaned back in his chair and stroked his beard. "This has nothin' to do with our 'girls,' Cash. This has everythin' to do with Teagan."

I said nothing.

"Does Mack know about you two?"

I dropped my eyes because I wasn't about to outright lie to Hatch. "There's nothin' to know."

"Bullshit," he hissed. "Goddammit, Cash, you've put me in a shit situation here."

"How so?"

"I don't want to put your shit out on the street, but if Mack finds out I knew anything about you two, I'll have broken the trust of one of my officers and closest friends."

"How about you don't say anything and forget you know what you think you know. Which you don't, by the way, so you're off the fuckin' hook."

"While I appreciate you playin' your love life close to the vest, I assure you, this is not the time to be tight-lipped with your president. If somethin's goin' on between the two of you, and I'm damned sure there is, I need to know if this was a one-time hook-up that's made things awkward between you two, or it's somethin' more serious."

"It's not just you in a shit situation," I pointed out.

"I get that, and normally I wouldn't give a shit what bitch you were fuckin'."

I balled my fists up and clenched my jaw, ready to go to blows if Hatch kept talking about Teagan that way. Hatch smiled and I realized, once again, I'd been had.

"So you're serious?" he asked.

I nodded.

"Does she feel the same way?"

"She's pretty pissed at me right now, but I think so."

"Why's she pissed?"

I sighed. "Because I was a dick to her about having to come in so early."

"Why were you a dick, Cash? Because she's not the reason you had to come in so early."

I let out a quiet curse. I was being 'punished' right alongside of her and blamed her for the whole thing.

He rapped his knuckles on the desk. "Okay, so the first thing you're gonna do is go apologize and beg her forgiveness. She's better than you deserve and you fuckin' know it. And the second thing you're gonna do is set up a meeting with Mack and tell him how you feel about his daughter. He's gonna be pissed, but if you're straight with him, you'll likely keep most of your body parts intact."

"Teagan's not gonna be happy," I grumbled.

"If she's as smart as I know she is, she'll recognize it's the right thing to do and get over it."

I cocked my head. "You've met Teagan, right?"

"Okay, she'll mostly get over it. What can I say, like father like daughter."

I nodded, even though I didn't quite know how I was going to do all of that. I rose to my feet.

"One more thing," Hatch said, and I turned back. "About this Hooks guy. Anything I need to know?"

"Like?"

"Did you put him in the hospital? Is there gonna be blow-back?"

I shook my head. "Nah, he's just a small time, punk-ass kid. Nothing permanent, just enough to make sure he'll be jackin' off with his left hand for a while. Also found out he's not affiliated with anyone."

"Good." He jabbed a finger at me. "You go rogue again, kid, and I'll tax your ass so hard, you won't be able to afford a tank of gas." He raised an eyebrow. "Got it?"

"Got it, Prez."

I headed back out to the garage via the back door and straight to the Mustang I'd been neglecting. I needed a minute to figure out my next steps without the girl squad jabbering a hundred miles a minute.

"Cash?"

I turned to the sound of the feminine voice and tried to keep my expression neutral.

"Hey, Glo."

"Hey, honey," she crooned. She sauntered toward me, her overly bleached hair teased high and in the style that Teagan described as, 'let me speak to your manager.' Gloria was a few years older than me, but with how much makeup she spackled onto her face she looked a hell of a lot older. She was wearing jeans that were way too tight and a crop top that exposed a belly ring on her stomach that flopped over her waistband.

"Did you need something?" I asked.

"Oh, no. I was just checking in. I got here a few minutes ago and saw you. I wanted to make sure you were set for the day. Can I get you coffee, or…" She ran her hand up my arm. "Anything?"

I stepped away from her. "No, I'm good, Glo. Thanks."

Her face fell slightly as I hightailed it out of the breezeway and into the auto bay, Teagan's words running through my head. I'd never seen Gloria as someone who'd been overtly after me before, but now that I was lookin' at her through Teagan's lens, I was seein' things a little more clearly.