Trusting Nicole (The Last Hangman MC #4)(47)

“You’re going to make a hole in the ground, Princess,” Josie says, coming over to me.

“I can’t help it. What if something happens to one of them?”

“They’ll be fine. You know they always come out on top when something like this happens.” She hugs me, trying to reassure me.

“I hope you’re right but I haven’t heard from Jase either.” I sigh, feeling like I sound pathetic. I hate sounding like a lovesick teenager. I’m not that type of girl but I can feel myself turning into one. I groan, frustrated with myself.

“Maybe something came up or he heard about it and joined them at the bar.” She smiles softly.

“I hope you’re right. I mean the bar is across the street. We would have seen or heard them but no one has been there. This is f*cking confusing.”

“I know, Princess.”

I resume my pacing and stop when I hear the door open.

“I’m going to kill those sick motherf*ckers, every single one of them with my bare f*cking hands.” Gabe bellows as he walks in.

“I take it that things didn’t go well?”

“They f*cking trashed the bar in the middle of the night.”

“What?”

“When we heard they were heading there we decided to set up camp and wait for them, you know surprise attack and all that shit. When we walked in everything was trashed. They broke everything that could possibly be broken. Viv is f*cking going mental in there, she’s devastated. This was her dream and they’ve f*cking tainted it.” he yells. Usually I would have a witty comment, but I can see he’s hurting for his woman so I keep my sarcasm to a minimum.

“We’ll all help out and clean the place and replace everything, you know that. Hell, I’ll f*cking sell cookies to raise money to replace the booze if needed.” That gets me a chuckle.

“I f*cking love you, Sis.” He hugs me and kisses my head.

“I love you too, Weirdo.” I grin and hug him back.

“Did you hear from Jase?” He looks at me and motions for me to get behind the bar. That means a lot of the guys are going to be coming in and I’m their barmaid.

I sigh. “No, nothing yet. Do you think something happened? If he heard they were coming here I’m sure he would have showed up.”

“I’m sure he’s fine.”

“Yeah, can’t be worse than what Aleck put him through last night. Seriously, couldn’t you hold him back?” I glare at him as I pass him a beer.

“Which one? They were both going at it and I was enjoying the free boxing match.” He dares to chuckle.

“I’m spitting in your next one.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” He winks. “I did land a good one to his ribs when he elbowed my f*cking face.” I can’t help but laugh.

“Would have loved to have seen that.” I grin as I pass beers out.

“I bet you would’ve. But honestly, I’m sure he’s okay. Why don’t you call him to be sure?”

“Because I don’t want to be that nagging girl who calls her man when she knows he’s on a stake out looking out for the bad guys.” I shrug.

“Good. No man likes a whining and nagging woman,” he says before taking a long pull. “We didn’t get a chance to talk about what you’ve been through. I’m sure there’s more to it than just that one incident. It seems too simple.” He glares at me.

“I really don’t want to talk about it.”

“And I really want to know. The sooner we talk, the sooner I’ll get off your case and leave you alone.” He looks like he means it.

“Do you approve of Jase and I together?”

“No.”

“Great.” I sigh and open more beers.

“I will never approve of any relationship you have. I’m your big brother. I’m here to protect you and make sure you don’t end up with a guy like me, but I see the way you two look at each other. It’s the same way Viv and I look at each other. The same way Aleck and Line look at each other. Same for Ayd and Ant. If you’re going to be with a man like me, might as well be one that I appreciate and respect now that he’s not a cop,” he mutters the last bit and renders me speechless. “Cat got your tongue?” He chuckles.

“Never thought I’d hear those words coming from you.”

“I’m full of surprises and even if I don’t approve of some of the things he’s done, I know he would never hurt you. If he does, he’s dead anyway.” He shrugs.

“If we ever fight, wait for my approval to kill him, might just be one of us being stubborn and not worth the murder charge.”

“Will try to remember that.” He grins.

“Dickhead.”

“Ah, you love me.”

“You’re lucky I do.” I smile.

“So, about that talk?”

“And I thought you were being nice.” I sigh dramatically.

“Go on, I’ll tend bar,” Josie says with a big grin.

“Great, you’re against me too!”

“No, but you two need to talk.” She winks and moves me away from the bar. I grab two beers and reluctantly follow Gabe outside. We sit on the swing set in the kids’ play area.