Never in my life.
She didn’t seem to notice my sudden discomfort.
I was an old pro at burying it.
She laughed outright. “Probably for the best. He’s not the snuggling type.”
Yeah. Me, neither.
She let a puff of air filter from her nose as her gaze wandered to the window on the door. Her demeanor shifted a fraction. “Not many of them are. These guys blaze through women like it’s their job.”
Sincerity filled her expression when she looked back. “But under it all, they’re good guys, Brinley. I want you to know that. I want you to know you’re safe here.”
Something deep and resonating flooded from her voice.
Still, I had to suppress an incredulous laugh.
Safe?
Safe was the last thing I felt.
“I gomowercycle?” Kai pointed a little finger toward the shop, angling himself that way like it would get him there faster.
My chest tightened as questions pummeled me again. “And Kai? He’s… yours?”
I was almost knocked off my feet by the swell of protectiveness that suddenly poured from her. A torrent of it. She held the baby a little closer as she pressed a kiss to the side of his head, breathing him in.
Something passed through her features that I couldn’t read. “He’s my heart, but not my son.”
Silas’s son, then.
I heaved a breath, wary of the limbo of questions that whirled through my mind.
“Well, I’d better get Kai out there before he stages a revolt. Motorcycles are serious business for him.” Elena laughed a light sound as she bounced the small child.
She started to back away, and I could see her contemplating before she rushed, “There’s a party at the clubhouse tonight. Well, there’s usually always a party at the clubhouse, but tonight, there’s a special one. It’s Trevan’s birthday, so I get to go.”
Excitement lit up her expression. “You should come.”
“I think your brother might have something to say about that.”
Her voice turned playful. “He doesn’t get to make all the rules, remember?”
She paused at the door, looking back at me, softness in her gaze. “I’m really glad you’re here, Brinley.”
She said it like I’d found my way home and this wasn’t some sort of cruel and unjust penalty I was paying.
A penalty I didn’t even understand.
A bit of the anger flared, but I somehow managed to smile without it being a grimace.
Because I meant what I originally said.
It was impossible not to like her.
“Thank you for that.”
She gave me a deep nod before she tossed open the door. The sound of tools and voices poured in like a wave from beyond, before the din returned to a dull drone when the door drifted closed behind her.
