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Wizard turned a ruthless stare on the women then slowly looked at each of the brothers. “If Natalia finds out, whoever tells her will be out of the club. That includes Tink.”

Doom’s jaw clenched with anger. “I won’t say anything, but don’t expect help from me or Tink. You want to blast your way into Natalia’s life, I can’t stop you. Come to think of it, I don’t even want to.” His expression hardened. “If you pull it off, it’ll save the club a shit ton of money. And if you don’t …”

Wizard glowered when Doom let the unfinished sentence trail into a smirk. “And if I don’t?”

“Then I’ll make some money when I bet on Natalia.”

“You’ll bet against me?”

“I don’t look at it as betting against you. I look at it as betting that Natalia will win.” Doom smirked. “I think she’s going to be your Armageddon.”

“Brother …” Weary beyond measure, Wizard started toward the hallway. “You should know me better than that. I’m indestructible.”

Doom moved aside to let him pass. “Yeah. So was the Titanic.”

CHAPTER 4

DOWN A PEG OR TWO

In the rush of preparing for dinner service, Natalia put Wizard out of her mind. She was overseeing a sous-chef making saltimbocca alla romana when Marco rushed into the kitchen.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” he apologized, his gaze shying away from hers.

“You’re only a few minutes late,” Natalia reassured him gently.

The young man was twenty-three and so sweet that she constantly worried about someone taking advantage of him. He couldn’t look at a woman—regardless of their age—without blushing profusely. His overwhelming shyness always tugged at Natalia’s heartstrings.

“Don’t worry about clocking in. I’ll adjust it on the computer so it shows you were on time.”

During the day, Marco worked for his father’s construction company. His father was strict when it came to his job responsibilities. In the evenings, he worked at Natalia’s restaurant.

He continued working for his father because he hadn’t yet found the courage to tell him that he wanted to become a chef. His father believed Marco was working at the restaurant only long enough to save money for marriage. Marco wanted to attend culinary school, but each time he managed to raise the subject, Antonio either changed the subject or dismissed the idea entirely.

Natalia believed it was because Antonio expected his son to take over the family business when he retired. The few times she had spoken to him, he’d been so sweet that she could understand where Marco had inherited his gentle nature—right up until she mentioned Marco’s desire to become a chef. That was when Antonio had explicitly told her to mind her own business.

Instead of putting on his apron to begin bussing tables, Marco remained where he was, a troubled frown creasing his face. Natalia became concerned that he might be sick.

“Is something wrong?” Leaving the cooking station, she crossed the kitchen to him.

Uneasiness filled the young man’s expression. “May we speak privately?”

Her concern deepening, Natalia nodded. “Of course. We can go to my office.”

She led the way and sat behind her cluttered desk. Marco followed her inside and closed the door. Once they were alone, he started twisting his hands together.

“There is something I should have told you.”

Frowning, she studied the twenty-three-year-old. His jerky, agitated movements were starting to unsettle her. A sense of foreboding struck her. Whatever Marco was struggling to say, she wasn’t going to like it.

“My padre has been working at The Last Riders’ clubhouse. He’s building several of their additions.”

Preparing herself to hear that Antonio needed Marco to quit working for her because of the extra work he had taken on, Natalia was relieved that Marco only seemed concerned about her discovering his father was working at the clubhouse.

“I know. Arden asked me if it was all right before she gave Doom your father’s name when The Last Riders were looking for someone to do the work.”

Marco’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “She did?”

“Yes.” Natalia spoke reassuringly. It was no secret that she detested the members of The Last Riders. “Naturally, I assumed you would be working there with your father.”