Voyage en famille : mon mari m'a demandé de conduire seule

Britney “Cracker” Cooper POV

I pulled my beat-down pickup into the parking lot and frowned as I saw a police car parked outside the metal shop.

Jeez, I snorted to myself. I haven’t even rolled into town yet and the cops are already on my ass? I grinned at my own joke, because--- yeah, me and the cops have a long history together…

I turned off the ignition, and the motor died with a loud, almost exhausted sigh, happy to be out of commission and probably plotting the next thing that would break down. Not that I minded. I liked getting grease on my hands once in a while, and decided, working on a truck or motorcycle out in this heat, sure beat having frozen fingers back in New York…

“Stay,” I told Max, whose reply was a big slobbering lick across the face. The way too big, black Tibetan mastiff yipped and wagged his tail as he jumped back and forth in the truck, almost knocking over the motorcycle that was probably in worse shape than my truck.

But I had a good reason for that!

The doorbell rang and some curious customers, as well as a couple of servers, looked up from where they’d been doing and cast me curious glances. I guess I couldn’t really blame them. Fairfax was a relatively small town after all, and being the new girl in town was bound to turn a couple of heads. I hadn’t been back for almost 3 years, and before that, I only stayed for the Christmas holidays, spending them with my adopted sister and her family.

I smiled as some of the big burly men gave me lopsided grins and what probably was supposed to be flirtatious once-overs. I tried not to laugh as I kept walking. So, this wasn’t just any type of metal shop. A lot of the bikers from the local MC, Wolf Riders, worked here, and among them was my brother.

He being the real reason why I’d moved here in the first place.

Rumor had it that the club was dealing drugs, and now I was afraid that the club had gotten my brother into trouble…

“---disturbing the customers,” a deep male voice boomed, pulling me out of my thoughts. I spun around, trying to find the source of the voice, which turned out not to be that hard! The biker was huge, with big, tattooed arms that he folded over his impressive chest. He towered over the 5-foot-something Sheriff, who, in his khaki pants, hat, and shiny star, still paled in comparison to the biker. I grinned. It looked like a poodle starting a pissing match with a mastiff…

Oh, don’t get me wrong!

Sheriff big-shit was impressive, just not as impressive as the biker. And despite looking like he belonged on the cover of Vogue, there was just something about his eyes that I didn’t like. Not that I ever needed a reason to hate a cop, but--- The way he looked at you, in that privileged and arrogant way, as if he was better than everybody else…

“If you have nothing to hide, you wouldn’t mind if I took a look around,” the sheriff replied, smirking.

See what I mean?

“Your logic is flawed,” I replied, not even thinking. Suddenly, both men turned to me--- and I finally realized that I’d once again spoken my mind before my stupid brain could stop me.

Damn it!

“What did you say?” the sheriff asked as if feeling tethered by me. Not that I blamed him. I might be a small thing, but I was as deadly as they came, having earned myself two state championship gold medals in taekwondo and having a black belt in karate.

But since he was the one with the legal gun!

“Your logic is flawed,” I replied and walked right up to them. “Imagine if a total stranger walks up to your house and demands entrance?” I explained, ignoring the looks we got from everyone else. “You might not have anything to hide, but you’re not necessarily interested in strangers going through your p**n collection.” Snickers sounded and low comments about his manhood, which didn’t improve his mood much. He was glaring daggers at me that made me feel like a pincushion, but whatever! I was enjoying making that face, frown, and ruining his perfect skin!

“And if we’re being technical--- is this private property?” I asked, turning to the biker man, who I guess owned the store. He gave me a small nod – as I already suspected – and I turned my attention back to the sheriff. “Since you’re on private property, he,” I pointed to the biker. “Can legally shoot you if he feels the need to protect his land.”

That got a reaction! The bikers seemed surprised by the information, while the Sheriff clearly didn’t appreciate watching me metaphorically disarm him. But whatever! I hated it when cops used dirty tricks and people’s lack of knowledge of the law against them. It was just once again proving that just because you had a badge didn’t make you a good guy!

“And just who do you think you are?” the Sheriff growled and took a threatening step towards me. Being 5 foot freaking 5, I was your pretty average type of woman. But despite that, I still had to crane my neck to look up at him, as he towered over me.

“A lawyer,” I replied sweetly, fluttering my lashes. “And a damn good one at that. But don’t take my word for it.” I spun, turning towards the biker and very disrespectfully turned my back to the cop. I almost wished I had eyes at the back of my neck, just so I could see his face. But the view in front of me wasn’t all bad either…

“Do you feel threatened, Mr.---?” I found his name tag on the side of his black tee. It read “Buck” and I had to bite my lip not to grin. The name fit him. His big hands would easily be mistaken for huge antlers, and with those forest-green eyes and black hair… He was huge, in all the right places, and fuck me, but I hope he was proportional all over!

“Buck,” I continued, giving him my best lawyer face. “Is this man harassing you, or in any way bothering you and preventing you from doing your job?”

He looked surprised for a second – probably too much man to accept help and whatnot! – But with a subtle wink, I got him on board, despite the displeased frown he was sporting.

“Yes?” he growled, making it sound more like a question, but I could work with that…

“This is police business, miss,” The sheriff once again tried to get ahead in the conversation. “Do you want to be arrested for obstruction of justice?”

I spun on him so fast, he had to take a step back, so I didn’t step on his Armani shoes! Which made me wonder: how – on his salary – the shit did he afford shoes like that?!

“Unless you’re actually charging my client with something,” I said, shitting out law so fast, I probably made him dizzy. “I think your business here is concluded. And as for arresting me,” I smiled absolutely loving this part, as I crossed my arms over my chest and gave him a bright smile. “You can’t arrest people for doing their job, now can you?”

There was practically steam coming out of his hat!

Ah! This is why I love my job!

“We haven’t been introduced,” he growled, reaching out his hand for me to shake. “I’m Sheriff Emilio Jones. And you are?”

Why did it feel like I was offering my hand to a snake?

“Britney Cooper,” I replied anyway, shaking his hand firmly, refusing to show fear, and instead kept my smile in place. “And here’s how things are going to go from here!” I gestured to the people around me. “You’re going to bid these nice people goodbye, leave a tip for coffee, and then get back to your job so they can go back to theirs. Otherwise, tension might rise, angry words will be said and then he,” I pointed to Buck. “Will have legal rights to shoot you!”

Surprised, Sheriff Jones glanced between me and the tall biker. And damn it, but when I heard knuckles cracking somewhere in the shop, I think the poor sheriff just shit himself!

“Do we understand each other, Sheriff Jones?” I asked, keeping my voice deceivingly sweet, as more and more people were lowly snickering and some outright laughing. Knowing that he wasn’t going to win this fight, he finally accepted defeat, although he did it very disgracefully…

“Have a nice day,” he snarled, spinning on his feet and marching out of there.

“Why thank you, I will,” I called after him, giving him a girly wave on the way. “Bye!”

Surprised, people started applauding me and laughing at the same time. Some even came up to me, telling me he got just what he deserved. I did a ladylike curtsy and laughed it off.

“Why did you help me?” suddenly sounded behind me--- And there was only one man with a voice that could make me shiver.

Buck!

He did have a very sexy voice, and I had to cross my legs, not to let my libido run away with me while I imagined how he would sound, talking dirty to me…

“I hate cops! Sue me!” I replied and shrugged nonchalantly, and was just about to be on my way when I remembered the reason why I was here. I gave him a quick once-over, and I realized that he might be just what I needed…

“Do you do custom jobs?” I asked and got a little surprised when I had to crane my neck a lot upwards just to be able to see his face. “I accidentally ran my bike into a car, and it needs some repairs. Think you can give me a hand?”

OK, I didn’t plan on getting involved with the shop, the club, and hell, even my brother and I had an understanding about not getting into each other’s business. But if I got to hang out with 300 pounds of gorgeous…

How could I refuse?

The guy gave me an equally, although less subtle, once-over, as his gaze actually paused at my cleavage. When he was finally able to tear his eyes away, he made a hand motion towards the desk, and although I didn’t see it, something fun must have transpired, because he was smiling all of a sudden. I turned my head, looking at the reception area, but---

Yeah, there was no way, bolts and screws were that interesting…

“OK,” Buck murmured, calling for my attention again. His amazing green eyes landed on me again, and this time, there was a ghost of a smirk on his lips.

“Let’s see what you got!”