Tartlet (Turf Wars #4) Read online

  She looks at me, her eyes narrowed. “It’s expensive art work, you uneducated prune.”

  I snort a laugh. “Prune? Seriously? That’s the best you’ve got.”

  Her cheeks go a little red. “I need to see Daddy.”

  Aw, Daddy.

  “Daddy is busy with his favorite son. You’re going to have to wait your turn.”

  She crosses her arms.

  “Where’s Magnus? Is he downstairs? Maybe I’ll go tell him about my new job and the gorgeous bikers I’m working with ...”

  Her eyes flash. “Watch yourself, Gabriella.”

  “Or what?” I challenge. “I hold your biggest secret, Becky. Perhaps I’ll make friends with Beckett, he is pretty hot after all.”

  Her cheeks get so red she looks like she’s going to explode. “Stay away from him.”

  “I’ll send your regards.” I flick my hand at her and walk down the hall to my room.

  I’m well and truly old enough to live on my own, but after a little trouble recently, with a man and a break and enter, I decided to settle down a bit and moved back in with Dad. He wasn’t happy, but he prefers me where he can control me. At twenty-two, I’m hardly a kid, but I’m also old enough to rough it on my own. Still, this house is massive and, most of the time, I’m left alone. If this job pays off, I’ll get the hell out of here.

  I shut my door and pull out my phone, glancing down at the three missed calls. Oh, Reggie. He isn’t going to give up easily. I lived with him for a year, and we had a rather toxic relationship. He was into bad things, and he brought out the wild side in me even more so than it already was. We got into trouble and when we decided to break into a jewelry store, he took the fall. He chose to take the fall, but after serving eighteen months and getting out on good behavior, he wants back in my life.

  I’m not interested.

  I ignore the calls and instead dial my best friend and savior, Rhett.

  We’ve been friends since we were kids—he was originally Brad’s friend but the two of us hit it off and have remained close ever since. He was by my side through school, through moving out of home and back in, through every bad decision I’ve ever made, everything. He’s just always been there and without him, I’d be an absolute wreck.

  He and Brad aren’t friends anymore, but that doesn’t stop him being part of my life.

  “Where you been?” he asks, voice gruff, when I answer the phone.

  Did I mention Rhett is hot? Like super-hot. Like if you combined one of those bikers with a cowboy and they had a baby, you’d have Rhett. He has that bad boy edge, all ripped jeans and tattoos, but he is very country orientated. Always dressed in flannel shirts while rocking a mountain man beard. He’s got the most intense silver eyes and the face of a dark lord. Thick black hair, chiseled jaw ...

  Anyway, he’s hot. You get the point.

  He also goes through women like the world is about to end and he’s not wanting to waste a single moment of penis usage.

  He owns a ranch outside of town, comes from a rich family, too.

  He and his friends buy and sell cattle, but I for one know that’s not the only shit they’re buying and selling. They keep to themselves, but I guarantee the guys are trading illegal crap.

  Whatever, not my business.

  “Getting a job,” I answer him.

  “Where?”

  “At the new garage in town.”

  “With the fuckin’ bikers?”

  “Yes, those. I’ve got some business to do for Daddy Dearest involving them.”

  He makes a growly, sort of grunting sound. “What the fuck is your father puttin’ you into his sketchy business for?”

  I shrug, even though he can’t see me. “I offered.”

  “What the fuck for?”

  “Because I’m curious and I need something to do. What is it to you, anyway?”

  “They’ve got a bad rep around town.”

  “So does everyone who lives here.”

  He goes silent.

  He knows I’m right.

  “Maybe so, but you can’t afford to be getting in their bad books.”

  “I’ll be careful.”

  “Gab ...”

  “Rhett ...”

  “You’re not goin’ to listen to me anyway, are you?”

  “Nope.”

  “Fuck.”

  “Talk to me about something else. How’s Peaches?”

  “Candy.”

  “Close enough.”

  “She’s gone.”

  I snort. “Okay, so who’s up next?”

  He grunts. “Nobody right now, I’m busy.”

  “Your penis doesn’t agree.”

  “I can fuck and not have attachments.”

  “Oh, I know.”

  “I thought we were talkin’ about something else?”

  “We are.”

  “No, we’re talkin’ about my dick.”

  “Okay, fine, how are the guys?”

  “Fine.”

  “You’re super moody, what’s wrong?”

  “Nothin’, shit is stressful around here.”

  “One of the cows giving you a hard time?”

  He grunts, but I can hear the lightness behind it. I can always make him smile, which is saying something, because he rarely smiles.

  Rhett has never told me his story, but I know he had a massive falling out with his family when he bought the ranch. I think his father disowned him, and I guess it made him bitter. He rarely smiles and when he does, it doesn’t reach his eyes. He just lives in this broken world that he covers up with cows and women. Not at the same time, I hope.

  Tee hee.

  “Come have a drink with me.”

  I glance down at the time. I have to get up at five to start my first day, I can’t risk getting drunk with Rhett and missing that.

  “I can’t, I have to start first thing. I should go to bed.”

  “Fuck me, are you growin’ up?”

  “Nope,” I laugh. “I gotta go, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “See you, Gab.”

  “Love you.”

  “Love ya, too.”

  I hang up the phone and flop onto my bed with a grin.

  This is going to be great.

  2

  “FUCKIN’ NO, THAT DOESN’T go there,” Remy growls, fists clenched as he glares down at the bolt I’m trying very hard to get back in, but he’s making it impossible, hovering every five damned minutes.

  “Listen, buddy—” I stand, the screw falling and bouncing on the ground as the tool in my hand waves in front of his face “—I’m quite capable of doing my job. What I don’t need is your big, burly ass hovering over me while I’m trying to work. If you’re trying to find fault, give it up. I could find a hundred faults with your work, but you don’t see me riding your ass.”

  His mouth twitches.

  “You’re here on trial, it’s my job to ride your fuckin’ ass.”

  “Well ...” I lean in closer. “Do it gently, and quietly, because I’m trying to get this car finished for Mrs. Walker because, god dammit, she has to pick Sunflower up from the vet!”

  He blinks. “Who?”

  “The owner of this car.” I roll my eyes. “Bikers, no common manners.”

  “Fuck me, I can’t follow the shit you dribble. Finish it up, I’m goin’ on lunch.”

  My stomach rumbles at the idea, but I say nothing. I simply act like nothing happened. He stares at me, but we both choose to ignore the gurgling sound. I turn and get back to it, and Remy goes off for lunch. While he’s gone, two of the other guys from the club come in and help out. Hugh and Hank, both of them look at me like I’m in their manly space, but I ignore their stares.

  “You guys want to fart,” I yell out, “then fart. I’ve heard it all.”

  I peer over at them to see them looking at me in horror.

  “You always so fuckin’ out there?” Hank asks, crossing his arms.

  “Yep.” I nod, tightening the screw and stand
ing. “You’ll learn to love me.”

  “Doubt it,” Hugh grunts. “Hurry up with that job; I need to move this car out and bring another one in.”

  “Keep your panties on, big guy, I’m nearly done.”

  If looks could kill ...

  I finish up the job and move the car out of the way, the two of them getting to work on the car they drive in after me. I walk over, leaning against it. “You two like besties or something?”

  “Fuck me, we’re not in high school. We’re in the same club, brothers,” Hugh answers, head buried deep in the engine bay.

  “Oh, like blood brothers or gang brothers?”

  They both look at me.

  “Gang brothers.” I nod. “Figured. You both got ladies?”

  “Fuck me, do you ever shut the hell up?” Hank growls, glaring at me.

  “You bikers are moodier than a woman on her period, what’s up with that?”

  Both of them ignore me.

  “You done with the car? Good.”

  I turn to see Remy walking back into the garage, arms all bare and biceps showing as he pulls his greased up shirt back on. He flicked it off when he walked out, I’m guessing he didn’t want to get his food all messed up, and damn, I’m not complaining. Neither is his little fan club consisting of three girls who have stopped out front of the garage and are staring with lusty eyes. They’re probably seventeen, maybe eighteen.

  I nod in their direction “You’ve got a little fan club.”.

  Remy turns around, shirt still partially unbuttoned. He gives them a nod and they giggle, whispering amongst themselves as they bat their eyelashes at him.

  “Jesus,” I mutter. “Pathetic.”

  “Jealous, kid?” Remy grins at me as he brushes past me.

  “The only kids around here are those girls, and no, I’m not jealous. You have to like someone to be jealous, and trust me, I don’t like you.”

  He keeps the grin.

  “Yo.”

  I turn to see two more bikers walking into the garage, one of them is Adan, I met him earlier, and that leaves only one person for the other one, Beckett. I study him as he gets closer, and his eyes are on me, narrowed. Shit, I hope he doesn’t know who I am. If he does, this all goes to hell because they’ll be immediately suspicious.

  “Do I know you?” he asks me, stopping and letting his eyes roam over my body.

  “Probably.” I shrug. “I’m always getting into trouble around town.”

  He purses his lips a little. “Must be it. You must be the new mechanic?”

  “Temporary,” Remy grunts.

  I roll my eyes and stick my hand out. “Yep, that’s me. Gabby.”

  Beckett takes my hand, and I take a second to study him. Well no wonder Becky was obsessed, this man is gorgeous, there’s no doubt about it. He looks like Thor, but a biker version. That hair is to die for, and if I had hair like that, you can guarantee I’d be flaunting it.

  “Get back to work, you’ve spent long enough annoyin’ the crap out of everyone,” Remy orders.

  I grin at him. “Yes, boss.”

  I get back to work.

  With a smile on my face.

  Because I’ve always got a damned smile on my face.

  “STILL THINK YOU’RE fuckin’ crazy,” Rhett mutters, putting his feet up on the balcony railing outside my bedroom and sipping the beer I just grabbed.

  Yes, I have a balcony of my very own. Rich family and all that.

  “It’s fine, they’re all pretty nice actually,” I tell him.

  “Not when they find out what you’re doin’ they won’t be.”

  “Then I’ll just have to make sure they don’t find out.” I wink at him.

  He glares at me. “Seriously, Gab, you’re fuckin’ playing with fire.”

  I give him a smile. “I like fire.”

  “You’re fuckin’ crazy.”

  “Oh, I know.”

  “They kill for less.”

  I roll my eyes. “They’re not going to kill me, Rhett. You’re being dramatic.”

  He gives me a look.

  I keep my smile.

  “You let me know they so much as touch a fuckin’ hair on your head.”

  “Aw, you’re so protective.”

  “I’m smart, there’s a difference.”

  “And protective.”

  He takes a sip of his beer.

  “I want to come ride Bessy on the weekend,” I say, crossing my legs and leaning back in the chair. “I need some nature.”

  “It’s Benny.”

  “I like Bessy better.”

  “Bessy is a fuckin’ cows name.”

  “Well, the horse looks like a cow.”

  “Fuck me, I wonder why I’m still friends with you sometimes.”

  I blow him a kiss. “Because you love me and couldn’t live without me.”

  “Somethin’ like that. You spoken to Maggie yet?”

  I lose my smile and glare at him. “No, why the hell would I?”

  “We’re grown ups now, Gab. You’re bein’ petty.”

  “You fucked her. She was my best friend. She lied to me. It’s not petty.”

  “We’re not together, can fuck whoever I want.”

  “I know you can, but not her. And it’s not even that, it’s that you two snuck around. If you can fuck whoever you want, why not just tell me?”

  “Point made, but you’re still talkin’ to me. Why not her?”

  “You owned it, she lied and tried to act like it didn’t happen. Not only that, she looked me in the eyes when I asked her if she was sleeping with you and said absolutely not, she’d never do that. When I asked you, you outright admitted it. That’s the difference.”

  “She was scared of losin’ you, go easy on her.”

  I grit my teeth. “Whatever, she’s out of my life now.”

  “You two have been friends for a fuckin’ long time, she misses you.”

  I miss her too, but I’m not about to admit that.

  “Reggie’s been calling me.”

  Rhett sits upright, his eyes narrowed. “What the fuck for?”

  “He’s out.”

  “Know he’s out, but also thought he was smart enough not to fuckin’ call you. I’ll deal with him.”

  “He’s harmless, Rhett. I can handle it.”

  “He’s not fuckin’ harmless, he thinks you owe him and he’s as shady as they come.”

  “He wouldn’t hurt a teddy bear.”

  Rhett shakes his head. “You’re fuckin’ wrong about that, be careful, Gab.”

  “I’ll add it to my list.”

  My giant ass list of things to watch out for. Bikers, ex-criminals, my ex-best friend. It’s a long list.

  “Gabriella.”

  I turn to see Brad walking into my bedroom, his eyes narrowed. He looks at Rhett, but says nothing—it’s no longer worth his time. He stopped acknowledging him years ago.

  “There’s a reason the door is closed, Bradley. You knock.”

  “I’ll do whatever the fuck I want. I need to talk to you.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “Alone,” he orders.

  I roll my eyes and stand, walking inside so Rhett can’t “hear” us.

  “What?” I snap.

  Brad leans in close. “I’ve left a list on your desk of things we need to know. Be very specific when getting this information, if you fuck it up, you have me to answer to.”

  I take a step back and scrunch up my nose. “You don’t scare me, and I’ll do the best I can do. Are you done?”

  “Don’t fuck up, Gabriella. We’re all counting on you.”

  “Well, it’s about damned time, too.”

  His face goes a little red. “You might not be as sensitive as Becky, or as smart as me, but you’re part of this family and you have a reputation to uphold.”

  “I don’t know what part of that was the biggest insult, that I’m not sensitive or smart, or that I’m actually part of this fucked up family.”


  “I can’t deal with your shit tonight, I’m out.”

  He turns and walks out.

  I watch him go.

  Well, I wonder what incredible things he has on the list for me.

  Can’t wait to find out.

  3

  “THAT’S NOT FUNNY!” I screech, standing, covered in grease and oil, anger bubbling in my chest as the chuckles from Remy, Hank, and Hugh ring through the garage.

  They are playing pranks on me already, and today’s prank has resulted in me being covered in fucking crap when I undid something that was meant to be god damned empty. I push away from the car and get to my feet, dripping with thick, black liquid as the three of them laugh. Oh, they think this is funny, do they?

  “What you’re doing is so fucking unoriginal,” I yell, throwing my hands up. “You think I haven’t copped this from every single creature with a penis in every single garage I’ve worked in? Get something new, you bunch of immature pigs.”

  Their laughter gets louder.

  Angry, and filthy, and pissed at the immaturity of them, I turn and storm toward the bathrooms. I run into a gorgeous woman, slamming into her small frame and putting grease all over her. She screams a little, leaps backward and stares down at herself and then looks back up at me.

  “Shit,” I say, feeling guilty for ruining her nice top. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there.”

  Her eyes go past me to the laughing stock behind where we’re standing, and then zone back in on me. “If they did this to you, you tell me and I’ll go right on over there and kick their fucking asses.”

  I blink.

  She shakes her head. “Shit, sorry, I’m Poppy. I’m Beckett’s ... pregnant sort of better half. You must be Gabby, he was telling me about you.”

  Wait.

  Oh.

  Yes.

  This is good.

  I know about Poppy, Becky hasn’t stopped going on about her and what a bitch she is, blah blah blah, but pregnant. She failed to mentioned that one. Does she know? Oh, god, I hope she knows.

  No, wait, I hope she doesn’t know so I can see her stuck up face when I tell her.

  “It’s nice to meet someone who is willing to kick their asses as much as I am,” I mumble, extending a hand. “Care to help me come up with a plan?”