Part 43 (1/2)

”Yes, mother.”

With a roll of his eyes, Rafe made his way through the crowd that filled the bar, ignoring the inviting glances from the women who deliberately stepped into his path.

He was man enough to fully appreciate what was on offer. But since his return stateside he'd discovered the promise of a fleeting hookup left him cold.

He didn't know what he wanted, but he hadn't found it yet.

He'd just reached the door when he met Teagan entering the bar.

The large, heavily muscled man with dark caramel skin, golden eyes and his hair shaved close to his skull didn't look like a computer wizard. h.e.l.l, he looked like he should be riding with the local motorcycle gang. And it wasn't just that his arms were covered with tattoos or that he was wearing fatigues and leather s.h.i.+t-kickers.

It was in the air of violence that surrounded him and his don't-screw-with-me expression.

Of course, he'd been thrown in jail at the age of thirteen for hacking into a bank to make his mother's car loan disappear. So he'd never been the traditional nerd.

”I'm headed out.”

”So early?” Teagan glanced toward the crowd that was growing progressively louder. ”The party's just getting started.”

”I'll take a rain check.” Rafe said. ”I'm leaving town for a few days.”

”Business?”

”Family.”

”f.u.c.k,” Teagan muttered.

The man rarely discussed his past, but he'd never made a secret of the fact he deeply resented the father who'd beaten his mother nearly to death before abandoning both of them.

”Exactly,” Rafe agreed before leaning forward to keep anyone from overhearing his words. ”Keep an eye on Hauk. I don't think he's taking the threats seriously enough.”