“I’m listening,” Hunter tells Benton.

Benton glances around the parking lot. Some people have left, but a lot are still loitering around, smoking, drinking, and basically just hanging out outside of the bar. Some dude is even howling at the moon, totally on something.

“I need a place to hold a party,” Benton says as he returns his gaze to Hunter. “Tomorrow night. And I was thinking I could use your house.”

Hunter rests his hands on the steering wheel. “Dude, we’re not party event holders.”

“Dude, I’m not asking you to be,” Benton mocks. “I don’t want you to just let me hold a party at your house. I’m trying to be a little bit evasive since I’m not quite sure how much she knows about what you guys do.” He nods his head at me.

“She knows everything,” Hunter replies with a shrug. “We’re actually having her work for us.”

“Really?” Benton comments with a look of intrigue on his face.

I sense Hunter and Jax stiffen at that, but I’m not sure why.

“Okay. Then I’ll just lay my proposition out there,” Benton says, digging a pack of cigarettes out of his jacket pocket. “I want you to set up some massive security so I can spy on the entire party.” He pops a cigarette into his mouth and lights up, smoke circling around his face and snaking into the cab.

Hunter taps his finger against the steering wheel, his gaze flicking to Jax.

“Zay would have a fit,” Jax reminds him, sliding his arm down from the seat and wrapping it around my shoulders. “Remember what we talked about before we left the house.”

“Don’t worry about my brother,” Benton says, taking another drag. “I can get him on board with this.”

Hunter stares at Jax for a moment before directing his attention to Benton. “How much does it pay?”

“Five thousand,” Benton replies, resting his arms on the windowsill.

“Five thousand dollars?” I didn’t mean to say the words aloud. They just slipped out. But for a good reason. “Holy crap, that’s a lot of money,” I mumble with wide eyes.

A smirk touches Benton’s lips as he flits his gaze over to me. “I think I’m starting to get the appeal of this.”

I’m not certain what he means, but Hunter apparently does.

“Watch it,” he warns in a tone that doesn’t sound like it belongs to him.

Benton raises his hands, but his eyes continue to glint mischievously. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to cross a line.”

“Yeah, you did,” Hunter says, his gaze searing into Benton’s. “So just lay off, okay? She’s off limits. And make sure to spread the word about that.”

My heart pounds in my chest at the way he says it—so protectively.

Benton assesses him then the mischievousness slowly fades from his eyes. “Fine. I’ll let it drop. Though, I am interested in seeing where my baby bro plays in this weird dynamic you three have going on. Guess I’ll get to observe that while you’re working for me.”