Tag had come up with the idea after leaving McKenna’s office earlier in the day. Of course, his reasons might be a little selfish, but he didn’t need to tell Luke that. It was obvious by his expression that he knew exactly what Tag was after.
For the next fifteen minutes, Tag offered Luke a glimpse of his perspective on how this little exclusive would work. By the time he was finished, Luke was smiling. “And I get to preview and approve any story that goes out, right?”
“That’s the agreement.” McKenna had already volunteered that little detail, but Tag was going to ensure it was firmly stated in the fine print.
“I say go for it, bro. I don’t see that it could make things any worse,” Luke stated before pausing briefly, then smiling, “But one more thing.”
Tag didn’t like the sound of that.
“Good luck.” Luke laughed unabashedly. “I’ve read some things on McKenna Thorne. You’re a braver man than me, Murph. Braver man than me.”
Tag grinned. When it came to McKenna, he was ready for the challenge.
As Tag descended the stairs, he scanned the crowded bar, hoping like hell McKenna hadn’t left yet. He wasn’t sure how well he liked that feeling, but nonetheless, it was there. It wasn’t often that he found himself hopeful for anything, much less a woman.
Considering he had been in Luke’s office for close to an hour, it was possible she had given up and gone home. He doubted it though. He couldn’t think of a single reason she would show up at the club unless she was hoping to get an answer from him tonight. She wasn’t a regular. He would’ve known if she was because McKenna was the type of woman that attracted attention, especially from men. Even if she didn’t intend to. If he was right, she was planted somewhere close, probably watching him right now as he looked for her.
His mind was scanning through the images he’d conjured up while he’d been sharing his plan with Luke and at this point, he was damn ready to show McKenna exactly what he had in store for her.
That’s when he saw her.
Her back was to him, and he recognized all of that crimson red silk flowing down her back even from halfway across the room. He could only see her in profile, but he could tell she was laughing; her smile practically lighting up the entire room as she regarded the man sitting beside her.
A man who might be damn lucky if he was allowed to walk out of the bar with both legs intact.
Taking a deep breath and a quick detour by the bar, Tag tried to calm himself. As he waited for Kane to pour the bourbon, he continued to watch McKenna and the cowboy sitting across from her. Thankfully, before he went over and made a complete jackass out of himself, he recognized exactly whom she was talking to.
Travis Walker.
Tag didn’t even know the guy was in town. Not that he should have, but he figured Luke or Logan one, would’ve filled him in. As part of the agreement between the men, Travis had applied to become a member of the club. Last Tag had heard, he’d been approved, but hadn’t come back to sign on the dotted line.
Maybe that’s why he was there tonight.
Tag retrieved his drink from the bar and headed in McKenna’s direction. She was so engrossed in her conversation with Travis, she didn’t see him approach, which was more than fine with him. He came up from behind, set his glass on the table, and then leaned down until his lips brushed the soft outer edge of her ear. “Miss me?”
He felt the shiver that ran through McKenna at his words, but other than that, she did a good job of hiding her reaction.
“Travis,” Tag greeted the man sitting across from McKenna, holding his hand out until Travis gripped it firmly and returned the handshake. “Good to see you again.”
“Murphy,” Travis acknowledged. “Looks like we both might just want the same thing from Ms. Thorne.”
Tag clamped his teeth together, but never changed his expression from one of indifference as he glanced back and forth between the pair. The jealousy that coursed through his bloodstream was growing all the more annoying each time he felt it, but he’d be damned if he knew what he was supposed to do to stop it.
“Is that right?” he questioned.
McKenna finally looked over at him briefly, and if he wasn’t mistaken, there was a rosy tint to her pale cheeks that he hadn’t seen earlier.
“An exclusive,” she said, smirking as though she found his reaction humorous.
“Well, I’m not sure Club Destiny is necessarily pursuing Ms. Thorne; however, it is a discussion we’re currently having.”
Had Travis been anyone else, Tag would’ve been irritated that he seemed to know about the club’s personal business.