Page 17 of Riding Hard

Following behind him, I let him lead the way. Once we reach the front door, I open it and watch as he slips inside. He probably doesn’t even need me here, but I have to give the office all his paperwork and fill out a bunch of forms.

It doesn’t take me long to fill everything out. The social worker has already called, and his school in Henderson sent over all his files. It’s all going to be good. At least that’s what I tell myself over and over.

Sinking down onto my haunches, I look into Cade’s eyes. “You got a phone,” I say. “You call me if you need to. Whatever it is, I’m here.”

He smiles and jerks his head slightly. “I know, Dad.”

That breaks my heart. He does know, but not because I’ve been on top of my game, which is what breaks my heart. I should have done better for him. A teacher appears at the doorway and calls out his name.

Standing, I watch as he walks away without even looking back. He’s ready for whatever comes his way. I give it three days before he’s ruling this school and has every fucking person here, kid and teacher, eating out of the palm of his hand. I know he’s already got me right fucking there.

Always has.

Turning toward the front desk, I look at the woman sitting behind the counter. They’ve been told not to let Destinee take Cade, but I want to make it perfectly fucking crystal clear that Destinee does not even look at Cade, let alone take him anywhere. I don’t give a fuck if they share DNA or she comes telling some sob story.

“If Cade’s mother, Destinee, appears, she doesn’t even look at him,” I grind out.

The office lady smirks, and I watch as she leans over the counter. “I know who and what you are, Slade Voss. I’ll call you if that woman comes around here.”

I don’t ask how she knows me. It’s not like the Iron Flame MC is a secret, especially in Boulder City. Dipping my chin slightly, I give a nod of approval. Nothing else needs to be said. She understands what I want. Turning around, I walk out of the school. There’s plenty of security here, so I’m not worried about that.

But Destinee is Cade’s biological mother. She knows what to say and how to say it, especially to him. I don’t want him to deal with her, to feel guilty, or to think that he has a difficult decision to make.

It’s not Cade’s choice, and I don’t want him to think that it ever is. I know what it’s like to be told to choose at that age. It’s not anything I ever want Cade to feel. This is something his mother did, and the choice is mine. He will never see her again. Not if I have anything to say about it.

CHAPTER

FOURTEEN

LOOT

Pulling my car up to the clubhouse, I let out a heavy sigh. It hasn’t been that long since I was last here, but everything feels different. Flicking my gaze to the side, I notice the cleaning service is here. Well, Wrath’s old lady and her cousin Alex are here.

Unfolding from the front seat, I walk up to the door, wrapping my fingers around the handle, and I look back at my car. I wish it were my bike, but fuck, I don’t have the ability to do that right now. I need to have my car with me and available at all times in case I have to get to Cade.

Walking into the bar, I look around. It’s empty. All the whores and club members have disappeared, mainly because Alex and Elodie are here doing their cleaning frenzy.

I have some paperwork to handle, so I slip into the office, grab my files, my books, and my computer from the filing cabinet, and make my way into the conference room, where we hold church.

I can’t be cramped up in that little office all day long. I need to spread out my shit and have some real elbow room. I’m already at least two weeks behind on my books, and I need to buckle down before it’s time to pick up Cade from school.

Opening the conference room door, I take one step inside and pause. There, bending over in front of me, is a woman I’ve never seen before. Most probably wouldn’t believe that I could tell if I knew a woman by the way her ass looks in a pair of cutoff shorts—but they would be wrong.

I definitely have never seen that ass before. I would remember. Vividly. She’s shifting her hips from side to side as she does whatever the fuck she’s doing, oblivious to me perving on her plump ass.

Moving toward the table, I place my stuff on the worn wooden top. She doesn’t even flinch. I wonder if she’s got earbuds or something in her ears because otherwise, she doesn’t have an ounce of situational awareness in her bones right now.

Sinking my teeth into my bottom lip, I stand with my legs wide, crossing my arms over my chest as I continue to watch her. I know it’s not Elodie. This girl is leaner than Elodie, even if her ass is phenomenal, but her legs are thin, long, and lean. She’s also got a whole-ass nest of light-brown hair piled on top of her head.

I stare at her as she moves around the room, dusting, wiping, doing whatever the fuck it is she’s doing. It’s cute, but she really needs to be aware of her surroundings. Then, as if she finally senses me, she stills. I should have timed her, because no doubt I’ve been standing here for at least five minutes, if not ten.

Slowly, she turns around, a spray bottle in one hand, a white rag in the other, and her blue eyes meet mine. They widen, then round as her lips part in what I can only describe as awe. I want those lips wrapped around my cock.

“Morning, babe,” I call out.

She blinks once, twice, three times before she reaches for the earbuds that are in her ears. I watch as she tugs them out, her gaze searching mine. She clears her throat, nodding once.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were here. I was just getting this room cleaned.”