Page 40 of Cries of Cassie

"But I'll hold off on demanding answers if you let me ride in the charity this weekend."

The way Maddy tenses confuses me. What is he so afraid of? "Victor's still out there, and it's an eighty-mile loop. You've never ridden that far, and I don't want you to crash because you get tired."

"Okay. Come on, Ripley." Climbing off his lap, I help him to his feet and usher his quiet self toward the door. "Let's get you to a shower."

"Hey Cassie," Maddy calls out, stopping me at the door. "What Rip said about not wanting to lose you, we feel the same way. We're yours."

Eyebrows furrowed like usual, beard trimmed immaculately, tanned pecs on display beneath his cut, Maddy implores me with his entire body to believe him. Even Parker doesn't flinch at that strong as hell declaration, even if he does look a little terrified. I love how Koa seems to want to run after me.

I smile so wide my mouth hurts and know exactly how I'm going to get my way. "Then I'm excited to ride on the back of a Shadows’ bike this weekend."

Chapter Twenty-Three

Parker (Spider)

Judging by the look on my mom's face, I know I'm in for some shit. With my dad at her back looking like he has a lecture on the tip of his tongue too, there's no doubt they're about to embarrass me in front of everyone.

"Can we not right now, please?" I mutter, trying to usher them away from literally the entire club.

Dad glances around. "No, I think this is the perfect time to hash this out. Care to explain to me the rumors I've been hearing?"

"Treating that woman the way you have, I oughta ground you for the rest of your life, Parker," Mom hisses, curly blonde hair whipping in the breeze.

Effortlessly, as if he doesn't even notice, Dad maneuvers her hair away from his face and tucks it around her shoulders. They're so perfect together, and like every other time I witness the ease with which they love each other, self-doubt creeps in. I'll never have what they do.

"Are you listening to your mother?"

Sighing, I glance over my shoulder at the woman they're defending against me. Cassie bounces on her toes in front of Koa, both practically giddy about the long day ahead of us.

Don't get me wrong, I love going on these rides, but having Cassidy on the back of Maddox's bike is stressing me the fuck out. I should just be glad she's wearing proper attire.

The sexy as fuck all-black outfit from neck to ankles, paired with her bright red boots with scuff marks, still draws way too much fucking attention.

"Let them look," Mom sasses. "They all know she's yours."

Without taking my eyes off Cassidy, I growl, "Which means they shouldn't have their eyes anywhere near what's mine."

"Watch your tone," Dad snaps, slamming a hand down on my shoulder. "And in case you didn't realize it, you just claimed her."

I open my mouth to, what? Deny it? Everyone knows I'm following her around like a dog with a fucking treat. In this instance, I'm a ridiculously possessive MC president chasing a curvy redhead who is hellbent on carving a Cassidy-size space in my club. And heart.

Fuck.

Mom all but stomps her foot at my silence. The realization that I'm stressing her out enough to have a physical reaction makes me feel horrible. "If she's yours, Parker, why are we hearing what an ass you've been? This better not be about me."

"Mom, you know I can't get attached. Especially at a time like this. I can't go through what Dad did when you⁠—"

I swallow and look away. Except this time I can't look at Cassidy. I can't fathom falling in love with someone who isn't as ruthless as I am. Someone who won't kill to protect themselves or know how to fight off the biggest man in the room. There's a comfort in loving three MC presidents; my worry for them is far less than it would be with Cassidy.

Hell, my mom knew how to defend herself and exactly what to do when in danger, but she was still fucking kidnapped and held captive for weeks.

"If she died...Mom, I've watched you and Dad mourn Noah all these years after he died. That pain doesn't go away. I don't know if I'd survive it." A flicker of pain zips through my mother's gaze before she settles the emotion into understanding and empathy.

"Parker, kid," Dad says thickly, reaching for me. "Noah's death didn't come as a surprise to us. We entered our relationship with him knowing he was sick. His death wasn't some kind of accident or the work of our enemies."

I force myself to stay still and accept his gentle touch on my bicep. All I want to do is end this conversation, get on my bike, and outrun my fucking feelings. Why do I have so many damn feelings?!

Leaning in, I take my voice down an octave and hiss a rant that makes my heart clench and wither. "He still died, Dad. The love of your lives died. What if Cassie's sick too?! What if she gets taken from me like Mom?! I'm not as strong as you are. I won't be able to keep myself together. I'll fly off the rails so fucking far, nothing will bring me back."