“Careful,” Temperance smirks. “You’re getting that sappy look again.”
Ria claps once. Loud. Businesslike. “Okay, back to the plan. What do you want? What do you need? Say the word and we’ll make it happen.”
I shrug. “I want Ghost to sign the divorce papers. And I don’t want him guarding me.” I sigh, pressing the heel of my palm into my eye. “I know I need protection. I’m not an idiot. And honestly, with you two around, the clubhouse feels... manageable. But I don’t want him playing bodyguard. Not him. Anyone else.” I pause. “Actually, I’d prefer Domino. I like him. We could read together.”
Temperance nods, all steel and fire. “Then we go to Bones.”
I hesitate. “Will he even help? I thought about asking him too, but... Ghost isn’t just a brother in the club. He’s family.”
“He will,” she answers. “If you play the pitiful, betrayed woman card just right. Add some watery eyes for flair. And I’ll threaten him too. Just in case.”
That sounds suspicious. “Threaten him with what?”
Ria’s already snickering. Temperance rolls her eyes like I’m being ridiculous. “With sleeping on the couch, obviously.”
A voice breaks through from behind her, deep, amused. Unmistakable.
“Really, my fiery Temper?”
Temperance fucking squeaks. Squeaks! She spins around like she’s been caught red-handed.
Ria lets out a bark of laughter that echoes through the kitchen.
“You spying on us?” Temperance tries for outrage, but it falls flat with how red her ears are.
Bones smiles at her, slow, warm, and full of so much love it stings something raw in my chest. Once upon a time, I thought I had that. Clearly, I didn’t.
“I just came for coffee,” he says, casual as hell. “It’s not my fault you’re having top secret conversations in a public area.”
And then, because the universe clearly wants to torture me, he kisses her so deep I have to look away. It’s the kind of kiss that’s almost obscene.
“Jesus, get a room,” Ria groans. “Since you’re here and already eavesdropping, biker boy, care to weigh in? Will you help keep Phantom Fail away from Adora?”
Bones’ eyebrows shoot up at the nickname. He recovers quickly, eyes sliding to me. I shift under the weight of his stare.
“I’m sorry,” he says, voice quiet. “For not stepping in sooner. That day... he wasn’t right. At all. I’ve never seen him like that. I was afraid if I pushed too hard, he’d go over the edge faster and I wouldn’t be able to stop him.”
“It’s not on you,” I reply, voice barely there. “What he did, that’s on him.”
He nods, slowly. “If you want someone else guarding you, I can make that happen.”
My relief barely has time to settle before his next words stomp it into the ground.
“But you do know that won’t keep him away, right?”
A lump forms in my throat. “Probably not,” I whisper.
“Not probably,” he says. “Definitely.”
I tighten my grip on the glass in front of me. “He can do whatever else he wants. I just don’t want him to try and take advantage of the situation I’m in right now. I don’t want to put my safety in his hands.”
Bones stares for a second longer, like he’s got more to say. Thankfully, he just nods in agreement.
“Can you also make him sign the divorce papers?” Ria suddenly asks, way too hopeful.
He gives her a look like she just asked him to travel in time. “Divorce?”
Then he glances at me, and I nod, holding my breath.
