Banger’s Ride(144)
“Get the fuck away from her!”
Luke dropped his arms from around Cara’s waist and she jumped from his embrace. Turning around, Hawk’s fiery gaze swung over her, and his lips pressed together in a thin line.
“Who are you?” Luke looked from Hawk to Cara, baffled.
“I’m the guy who’s going to kick your pansy-ass.” Hawk’s voice was cold and lashing.
“Hawk, stop it.” Cara glared at him.
“Thought you had to work, Cara. Is this your night job, going out with fuckin’ pansies? Or is he a client? I know how you like your clients.” He looked her up and down, and Cara saw desire in his eyes along with slivers of fury and… hurt?
“You know this guy?” Luke asked, wide-eyed.
“He’s my client,” she said icily.
“I don’t know what your problem is, but Cara isn’t on the clock right now. Call her tomorrow during her office hours.” Luke waved his hand.
Hawk leaped forward and grabbed Luke by the collar. “Don’t ever fuckin’ wave your goddamn hand at me again, or I’ll break it. You got that? You’re with my woman, and you need to fuckin’ leave.”
Cara yanked at Hawk’s arms. “Stop it, Hawk. This is insane.” Tears laced her voice.
Hawk let go of Luke, shoving him away. He looked at Cara, his eyes softening, and whispered, “Let’s go, babe.”
Luke, smoothing down his shirt, opened the passenger door and said, “Come on, Cara. I’ll take you to your car.”
“Who do you think you are?” Cara snarled at Hawk. “What in the hell are you doing here? Are you following me, or what?”
“Following you? Don’t flatter yourself. Insurgents own this restaurant. I came here with some of the brothers.” He gestured toward the front of the building. Cara looked over and saw Banger, Jax, Ruben, and a few other guys she didn’t recognize.
Looking at Luke, who was holding the car door open for her, and at Hawk, who was glaring at her, Cara wondered what the hell had happened. All she wanted was a good barbecue dinner, not all of this crap. I should take a cab and leave both of these idiots here. That would teach them.
She half-smiled at Hawk as she entered Luke’s car. Looking smug, Luke slid into the driver’s seat, rushing to close his door as Hawk moved toward the car. Under her breath, Cara said, “You better get going or I’m not going to be able to stop what may happen next.”
Luke backed up the car. “I’m not afraid of that jerk.” He flipped his finger at Hawk, and with his face a glowering mask of rage, Hawk lunged forward like a panther ready to kill his prey.
Luke squealed out of the parking lot, laughing.
“I wouldn’t tease him,” Cara said. “He’s not the forgiving type, you know?”
“Asshole thinks he’s cool and badass because he has a leather jacket and a motorcycle.”
“He isn’t trying to be cool or badass, or whatever; that’s who he is, not an act. He’s honest, not trying to fit into anything in our world. He lives by his own rules—his whole club does. And that’s what makes him free.”
“What the fuck are you talking about? Are you condoning his behavior tonight? What’s going on between the two of you?” Luke demanded.
“I’m not saying that Hawk was right to come over and say all that crap. I’m pissed about it. I’m saying what you see is what you get. He doesn’t kiss ass or wear leather to pretend to be bad, or whatever. I guess I’m saying he isn’t shallow.”
“And I am?”
“I didn’t say that. Let’s just drop it, okay?” Cara paused. “I did have a nice time tonight. Sorry about my big, scary client.” She smiled at Luke and patted his hand.
“He has a thing for you. What did he mean by you’re ‘his woman’?”
“Biker talk, I guess. Who knows? And he doesn’t have a thing for me.”
“Yeah, he does, and you know it. Watch yourself, Cara. Don’t do anything stupid. A guy like that is bad news all the way around.” Luke squeezed Cara’s hand and brought it up to his lips. “I don’t want you to do anything stupid like falling for this asshole.”
“I’m not falling for him. That’s crazy.”
“I saw the way he looked at you, but what hurt was the way you looked at him. I don’t want to lose you, Cara.” He ran his hand down her cheek.
Cara looked out the window; houses and trees were blurs against the nighttime backdrop. The street lights, like glowing orbs, seemed to float in the air as the car raced down the road. It’s more like you don’t want to lose your chance of being partner at my dad’s law firm. Or could it be that you want to get your hands on my dad’s money? I don’t buy this poor-me-I-love-you act for one minute.