Hooked (Viking Bastards MC #1)(36)

…

Zach

Grace’s mom hasn’t shut up since the moment she walked onto the balcony. She keeps tossing her head so her long blonde hair, which is pulled up into a ponytail, bounces over her shoulders. She could easily pass for thirty years old.

I see where Grace gets her class from, though. Her mom’s not given me a sideways glance out of place, and she keeps smiling at me, as though to include me in her superficial conversation.

I might even have played along with her game if she’d turned up alone. But she brought Russell. And he’s everything I thought he’d be.

Looks like he’s about to play a game of f*cking tennis. He has a white sweater tied over his shoulders, and floppy blond hair that for some reason really irritates me.

“Coffee, Russell.” Charity hands him a cup and he takes it without bothering to look at her.

“How long have you known your new friend, Grace?” He gives her a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.

“A while.” She sounds cool, but I can tell she’s wound up tight inside. I’m tempted to grab her hand and pull her onto my lap, just for the reaction, but if she wanted to touch me she wouldn’t be standing just out of reach.

“Are you from around here, Zach?” He favors me with that shark-like smile, and I have a satisfying vision of filling his mouth with my fist.

I want to give him a smart retort, but there’s only one answer to his question. “No.”

His smile now borders on a smirk. “Not really your scene, is it.”

“Russell.” Grace sounds agonized, but she doesn’t need to be offended on my account.

I give the jerk a slow smile that’s filled with deadly intent. “What scene’s that, Russell?” I use his name deliberately, and it works, if the way he tries to hide his shudder is anything to go by.

I’m in the mood for a fight, and all he needs to do is throw down the challenge. But instead of responding, he turns his attention to Grace. “Are you free tonight? There’re some things I’d like to discuss with you.”

No, she’s not f*cking free tonight. I only just manage to keep that thought locked inside my head and forcibly relax my fist. There’s nothing I’d like better than to flatten him, but this is Grace’s world, not mine. And doesn’t that prick know it.

“There’s nothing to discuss. Or are you talking about work related issues?”

The look on Russell’s face is almost as satisfying as a bloodied nose. He obviously didn’t expect her to knock him back like that in front of her mother.

“No, of course I’m not.” There’s a hint of irritation in his voice. “But Grace, we do need to talk.”

“There’ll be plenty of time to talk next week.” Grace’s mom smiles round at everyone as though that’s going to relieve the tension. “You’re still coming to Thanksgiving dinner, aren’t you, Russell?”

It’s a punch to the gut. If there’s one holiday I actively hate, it’s Thanksgiving, and I try and forget about it as much as I can. Except, not only is it next week, but Grace’s ex is going to be there with all of her family, and I don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out they’re going to try and get the two of them back together.

In my world I’d call him out on it. But things are different here, and while I don’t give a shit about playing by anyone else’s rules, I don’t want to push Grace away.

What the f*ck is wrong with me?

They leave soon after, without even trying one of Grace’s muffins, and only when we’re alone again does she sink into her seat, lean over to me, and take my hand.

“I’m so sorry about that. I had no idea they were coming round today.”

I shrug. No way in hell am I letting her know just how much her ex pissed me off—or that I can’t get over the fact she kept her distance from me the entire time her mom was here.

“No big deal.” I drain my third coffee to underline that point. I’d planned on staying with her until midafternoon but I need to get away from this place. “I’ve got to get back to work.”

She doesn’t try to stop me. “Oh. Okay. Well, how about I come straight to your place after work on Tuesday? I could stay over if you like.”

I should tell her it’s over, whatever this is between us. Except I don’t know what it is, and I sure as hell don’t want it to end.

Fuck Russell. Fuck the lot of them. I cradle her face and lose myself in her gorgeous blue eyes. “You do that.”





Chapter Fourteen


Zach


Ever since Sunday I’ve been trying not to think about Grace, but it’s like she’s a permanent fixture inside my brain. No matter what I do, I see her face or hear her voice, and I should be batshit crazy by now. Who wants a chick to take up so much headspace? Especially when she’s not even around.

Except I’m fooling myself. I like thinking about her. Even after the f*cked up meeting with her mom and ex I still can’t get enough of her. Christ, it’s a good thing my brothers can’t read my mind.

She arrives early on Tuesday afternoon, along with what looks like half of her kitchen. “You moving in?” I’m only half joking.

“I want to make up for our ruined Sunday breakfast.” She hauls a bag filled with ingredients from the trunk and I take it from her.