Chapter 76

I turned to see a man in his forties approaching us, well-dressed but with the weathered hands and confident stance of someone who spent serious time around motorcycles.

There was something in his eyes that made me instantly wary - not threatening, exactly, but calculating.

"Hi," he said, extending his hand for a shake.

"Hi," I replied, but kept my hands at my sides. Something about his approach felt too familiar, too presumptuous.

"Fierce. I like that," he said, apparently amused by my refusal to shake his hand.

"Sam, what do you want?" Derek's voice had taken on a protective edge as he moved slightly between us.

"Just...