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My blood ran cold, “I’m not a fucking informant.”

“I never thought of you as the type. No more than I figured the local law enforcement for fools. They’ll come lookin’ eventually.”

“Might be or might be they won’t.”

“Yeah well, if they do– Can I count on you to be here? For my mom, I mean?”

I wasn’t sure if I was staring at a trap, or if it were an honest question.

“I’m not sure this is the time or place…”

“I’m not sure how much time I have on this side of a fence, so, it’s the perfect fuckin’ place.”

I inhaled and slowly let it all out, the breath and my intentions, “She’s the only thing that makes me feel human and alive again. I want that, I want her; which is why I’m on my way to pick her up and take her to the clubhouse.”

Vick scoffed and laughed.

“I’m serious, Banshee’s ol’ lady has the girls decorating the place. I’m going to propose to her,”

“In the Steel Disciples club house?”

“Wherever gets me the answer I want,” I grinned.

He gave a slow nod and scratched the stubble again, “I guess I’ll see ya’ll up there then…”

He stalled for a moment, before turning and heading back the way he came.

I felt lighter than I had in a long time as I cruised toward her place. I felt like I was on the edge of something new, something precious and entirely mine.

A family.

The thought made my eyes burn a little.

I coasted quietly up to the curb in front of her house, intending to surprise her. In my head, I was going over everything I’d say. I’d already decided the exact spot I was going to ask her; I just had to make sure I didn’t bumble and end up sounding like a fool.

“You’re watching the ground like you’re unsure of your own feet,” Brenna laughed.

My attention snapped to the porch, and my feet suddenly forgot how to work. I stood staring at her like I didn’t have an ounce of sense to me.

And why wouldn’t I?

Her hair was perfectly styled, long, dark curls hung loosely about her face and down her shoulders. Those heavy breasts were spilling out of a corset that shaped her waist and flared around her hips. A long skirt ran the length of her, with a modest split that ran to her knee on either side. Her eyes were always something to get lost in, but this evening they were lined and perfectly faded from a dark, almost black, shade at the bottom of her eye lid, to a burnt red color around the corners.

“You have to warn a man before you strut out like that woman,” I teased.

She swatted my arm before taking it and allowed me to escort her to my bike. Every step of the way I waited for her to steer me toward the car, or protest, but she didn’t.

She slowly slid behind me and got herself comfortable. I took the side streets as far as I could, giving her plenty of time to adjust to the ride and trust my driving. Eventually, she loosened her grip on my vest and enjoyed herself a little.

“It isn’t as bad as I thought. It’s loud but…”

“You’ll get used to that,” I laughed, giving her leg a squeeze as I navigated into the parking lot.

I held out my hand, assisting her as she dismounted the bike and adjusted her skirt. I knew she was a little nervous, by the way she looked up and nibbled on her lower lip.

“You’re fine. You’re with me,” I reminded her.

Chapter Twenty-One