Page 25 of Playboy’s Purgatory

Opal is desperately trying not to laugh, bless her. Vanessa doesn’t need any encouragement. I do it enough as it is. Clearly.

“Oh,” my girl perks up as if remembering something, “just so you know, you’ll be getting a call from Rumble soon.”

My eyebrows shoot up to my hairline. “Why, exactly, would you be telling me I’ll be getting a call from him soon?” The suspicion in my voice is clear to hear and from the look on Vanessa’s face, it’s completely warranted.

“I asked him if it would be okay for him to take me for a ride on his bike, if you okayed it. Of course,” she says it like it’s obvious, but I narrow my eyes because I’m not sure it is. “He said I would have to have proper gear, and he would take care of that part. I’m not sure what that means.”

The befuddled look on her face is adorable. “You’ll need a jacket, leather is best, jeans, boots, and a helmet,” Opal informs the both of us.

I’m still reeling so I barely take it in. Vanessa holds out a hand in Opal’s direction and chirps, “There you go.” She looks at me and her smile widens. “He said he would only do it if you agreed, don’t worry. I asked him to give me a few days to talk to you and then call the shop.”

My lips part and I’m speechless for a beat too long. And that too long allows Vanessa to grab her flowers and high tail it back toward the kitchen where, I’m sure, she’ll make her way upstairs.

“Did she just tell me that she asked a relative stranger, and a real-life biker, to take her on a motorcycle ride? And she expects me to just allow her to get on a death trap and ride away into the sunset?” My voice, admittedly, goes a little shrill at the end.

Opal winces before reaching over the counter and patting my hand. “The old timers are the best for something like this but any one of the brothers would treat her like the most precious cargo on the back of their bikes. They are all very ‘safety first’ and have seen what happens when things go bad.”

“How old were you the first time you were on a bike?” I can’t help but ask.

She gets a smile on her face like she’s right back there feeling the wind in her hair. “I was about Vanessa’s age. I was on the back of my dad’s bike.” She focuses back on me. “Warden,” she provides his road name. “I loved it.”

The wistful quality in her voice has me almost reaching for her without realizing it or knowing why.

“Anway,” she waves her hand, the moment broken, her voice bright again, “it’s a rite of passage. All the club brats ride on the back of their parent’s bike the first time.”

“Vanessa isn’t a club brat,” I point out.

Opal nods like I’m the one being ridiculous. I’m not.

I shake it off and let out a low groan. “I’m not going to be able to say no to her,” I complain.

“Rumble will make sure she’s safe,” Opal assures me.

The only thing I can do is nod. Because I know my daughter. And I saw the determination in her eyes.

She won’t let this go. Why does it feel like I’m fighting a war on two fronts all of a sudden?

I don’t like it one bit.

CHAPTER 6

PLAYBOY

When I see Opal restocking behind the bar at the clubhouse, I make my way over to her. I’ve already seen the boxes from Bunz Out. I’ve already inspected the loot.

It was fresh.

She was there today.

Which means she might have seen the flowers. Did she talk to Lara? What happened? Were they still there or were they thrown out?

I wouldn’t blame Lara if she did throw them out. It’ll sting, but I can’t even be mad about it.

People have been giving me a little more space lately and it makes me even more embarrassed. Not only was my behavior out of line, but out of character. Replaying things back in my head, I’m seeing it differently now.

And hearing all the warnings I dismissed.

Not just from Lara either.