Chapter 4

“Sofia, I’m not fighting with you on this. That’s my home, and the business money isn’t gonna fix up my new home. End of story,” I said.

“Fine. I take it this is the place you want to put an offer on?”

“I mean I want to go check it out tomorrow with you but, if all goes well, then yeah. I think it’s pretty damn perfect.”

“Well, pick one to have on the back burner in case this one falls through. You know, so we aren’t starting at square one,” she said.

“Well, considering that it’s been boarded up for four years, I don’t think the bank is going to turn us down.”I could feel my dreams getting closer. Sofia was already on her phone setting up an appointment to go see the place tomorrow on our day off. We ordered our food and got to talking about how we would want to fix the place up, but my phone ringing interrupted our conversation.

And I groaned when I saw it was my mother.

“Fuck. Hold on,” I said. “Hey, Mom.”

“Did you leave the damn door open?” she asked.

“Did you tell everyone you fucked where our spare key is?” I asked. “That’s none of your damn business. Lock the fucking door. You trying to get me killed?” she asked.

“Do you really want me to answer that question?”

“You’re not funny. Anyway, that’s not why I’m calling.”

“Shocker. Some dude steal your panties again?” I asked.

“Drop the attitude. I’m calling about the Grove Brothers.”

“Who?” I asked.

“Don’t play stupid with me. The Grove Brothers. You know. Black hair. Blue eyes. Tall. Muscular. Tattoos. Wear the navy-blue leather jackets.”

“Navy blue? That’s a shit color for leather,” I said.

“They were in the damn bar last night talking to you,” she said.

“How do you know who the hell was talking to me in the bar last night?” I asked.

“So, you do know them,” she said.

“No, I don’t. What the fuck are you talking about?”

“The three hot men that sat at the bar with you all night. My friend Janet said they were nursing beers and shit. She sent me pictures. They are hot as fuck. Did you get their numbers?”

Holy hell, she was talking about Mike, Luca, and Matteo.

“No, I didn’t,” I said.

“Why the hell not? You know the kind of guys I go for. They were perfect!”

“I didn’t get their numbers because they’re not single, Mom,” I lied.

“Oh. Well, shit.” I could hear the disappointment in her voice, but I knew that wouldn't stop her for long, especially if she was drinking.

I wasn’t going to let my mother sink her talons into those three. They had seemed like decent guys. I’d been around some nasty bikers in my time, and these guys weren’t that.

“Well, maybe they’ll be back.” my mother said.

“Can’t you just respect people’s boundaries for once?” I asked.

“What? They’re men. They aren’t married, right? Girlfriends come and go.”

“So do booty calls,” I said under my breath.

“I heard that. The bar open tonight?” she asked.

A thought crossed my mind, and I grinned as I eyed Sofia.

“What?” Sofia asked  Can I stay at your place tonight?” I asked while I covered the phone with my hand.

“Of course. What’s up?”

I held up my finger before I cleared my throat.

“Yeah, Mom. The bar’s open tonight. Booker is trying something new out. He’s theming nights now.”

“Theming nights? The fuck does that mean?”

Sofia clapped her hand over her mouth, stifling the laughter pouring from her lips.

“It means some nights have a theme now. Tonight is ‘leather and lace.’ Men are in leather. Women are in racy lace,” I said.

“It’s about damn time that boss of yours did something to get more men in there. I gotta go shopping. See you tonight.”

“I’m not working, but have fun,” I said.

“Always do, sweet cheeks.”

“You are so bad,” Sofia said as I hung up the phone.

“Serves her right for being a bullshit mother,” I said.

“I would love to see the look on her face when she shows up all dressed up, and there’s no one there,” she said.

“Thanks for letting me stay at your place. But we’ll have to go home soon so I can pack.”

“Yeah. She’ll definitely lock you out of the house for this one,” she said.

“Did you get us a time for the tour tomorrow?” I asked.

“Yep. The realtor said she can do anytime, so I told her three in the afternoon. We can sleep, eat, then go, prepared to walk around for a while.”

“I knew there was a reason why I liked you,” I said.

“Smart ass.”