Read Online Blood & Rust (Lock & Key #4) by Cat Porter - Free Book Online Page B

damaged. The worst is when they’re badly repaired, and then they don’t have much value, which can be really disappointing.”
    “Every time, you go into it believing, with the same high energy and focus, don’t you?” he asked. “Believing that the next thing you see or touch just might be an authentic whatchamacallit.”
    I laughed and clinked my glass against his.
    He studied me as I drank, his eyes narrowing. “You’ve got a lot of fucking patience then, Tania. And an extreme level of belief. That’s…special.”
    I squirmed in my chair, a stab of heat spreading through me. His good opinion actually mattered to me. “You have to, or you could miss out on something remarkable.”
    “Yeah, remarkable is the word.”
    My pulse ratcheted at his words, at the firm tone in his quiet voice that seeped under my skin, like it wanted to play there.
    “I’ve learned in this business that good things happen when you least expect them. You never know.”
    His eyes leveled with mine. “No, you never know. Life fucks with you that way.”
    “Yeah, but some of those fucks can be good ones.”
    He laughed, a hand passing over his chest.
    The waitress arrived with our dinner, and we both tucked into the chargrilled steaks and thick French fries.
    “So, this past year, you’ve been working with different clubs?” I asked. “Is that how the nomad thing works?”
    “No. I worked with different chapters of my own club. Only if our national president approves can I have contact with other clubs.”
    “That’s why you were at the Flames of Hell when Grace and I saw you in Nebraska?”
    He wiped his mouth with the large white napkin and crumpled it. “Right. How’s your brother doing? Has he calmed his ass down since his girlfriend took off with his kid?”
    “He’s sort of calm. The last time he came up for a visit, my mom laid down the law about him being a consistent dad. He keeps trying with Jill, but I think he needs to give that a rest.”
    “You think?”
    “She’s done with him and all the club crap that comes with being some biker’s old lady—sorry.”
    “I get it. It’s a lot to take on for some. But if he still loves her, he should fight for her.”
    “You’re right.” I put my fork down. “But sometimes, the love crumbles into bits, and there’s no putting it back together.”
    “Sometimes, yeah.”
    “Anyhow, I’m sure my brother is not a suffering monk or feeling lonely at his club without her.”
    “He’s popular.”
    “You’ve spent quality time over there at the Flames’ clubhouse?”
    His eyes caught mine. “So have you.”
    “What makes you say that?”
    “Something I picked up on that day you and Grace showed up at their clubhouse. You and Finger know each other, don’t you?”
    “He’s Catch’s President. Our paths have crossed.”
    “How much crossing?” His voice was clipped.
    Why did he care if I knew Finger?
    I shrugged. “I’ve met him a few times through my brother.”
    Butler said nothing. I held his gaze, chewing on the crushed ice cubes from my glass, chewing on the answer he wanted, but wasn’t going to get.
    “How are you doing with going back to Meager?” I asked. “Huge decision. You’re not an officer anymore. You’ll be seeing Grace again and Lock.”
    He pushed his dish away. “I’m glad they’re happy together. They both deserve to be. It’s great that it worked out for them.”
    I shot him a look. “Aw, that’s so sweet.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “Save that for the Jacks. How do you really feel?”
    His large shoulders rolled as he leaned forward on the table. “You really want to know?”
    “Yes, I do. Were you in love with her? Are you still?”
    “You don’t beat around the bush, do you?”
    “That’s part of my charm. Answer the questions.”
    “I’ve always been attracted to Grace. Everybody knows that, don’t they? Last year, I thought it was our time, our moment. But it wasn’t, and it isn’t ever going to be. Even though