Page 5 of Protective Biker Daddy

“I suppose I should help you finish then,” he told her. “I don’t need you exhausting yourself with all this.” He nodded in acknowledgment to Russel and me before leading Sarah back into the house and out of the cool afternoon air. As soon as we were alone, I turned to look at Russel.

“I suppose I should go back as well,” I told him, and he smiled at me.

“Would you like some help?” he asked, his voice joyful and eager to please. Usually, I would leap at the chance to spend time alone with Russel, but after seeing how he was acting towards me since the party, I felt indecisive by this request.

“I think I can manage myself,” I told him as I smiled back at him. “Besides, I feel like you have much more important matters to tend to.” He looked confused as he tilted his head at me.

“Are you sure?” he asked, taking a step closer, the warmth of his body radiating from him as he stood closer to me than he ever dared in all the years I knew him. “I could help you carry the heavy items.” I whimpered as my breath caught in my throat.

What on Earth was wrong with me? Ever since I learned that Russel had a crush on me, I had been fantasizing about him. I yearned to feel his warm touch as he held me in his arms.

“I suppose I could use your help,” I reluctantly agreed, knowing that there was no chance of escaping this. “It would give us a chance to talk.” The mischievous smile he gave me made me feel uneasy yet aroused as he nodded towards the house.

“Let’s be off then,” he told me, and I followed him into the house where my room was across from Adam and Sarah’s, still unpacked and nowhere near ready for me to leave.

As soon as we closed the door, I felt his hungry gaze on me, and I quivered as I started to pack my bags. While I moved to and fro in the room, throwing clothing into my suitcase on my bed, Russel sat down and waited patiently in awkward silence. As I finished filling the suitcase, he zipped it up for me.

“I suppose you’re curious about the move,” he finally said as he secured the suitcase. When I frowned in confusion at him, he laughed and shook his head. “Rebecca, I have known you for far too long to be deceived by the good girl behavior. You are anything but subtle when you grow curious about anything.” Realizing he had caught me red-handed, I sank onto the bed and shook my head.

“I know that the move isn’t about going legit,” I told him, and his gaze darkened and grew more grave. “What exactly is going on?” After thinking his response over and over in his head, he sighed and sat down opposite of me.

“If you must know, Joyce is raising hell for us in town,” he informed me. “You see, she’s still bitter about getting kicked out of the compound and being forced to pay her dues to the King’s Knights that she reported us all to the police. I have been doing everything I could to keep them off our trail, but Chase doesn't want to take a chance with so much going on. He plans to have everyone out of here before the police have cause for warrants and start raiding the compound. It’s for everyone's safety.” I lowered my gaze and stared at the ground as I considered this.

Joyce had been far worse than Denise ever was, and Denise was just kicked off the compound thanks to what happened at the Halloween party. At this point, it was better to leave while we could, especially since Sarah was already experiencing complications with her pregnancy. No child deserves to have a life without their parents.

“It makes perfect sense,” I agreed as I looked back at him. “After all, Sarah would be devastated if she lost the baby.” I studied his face and realized there was more to the story than he was telling me. “Anything else I should know about?” He winced as he stared at me.

“Chase is going to give you the chance to leave the group forever,” he told me. “He wants you to have the chance to start a life for yourself and be free of the risk of being labeled an accomplice. He thinks it’s what your father would want.” My heart sank as I stared at him.

“And what do you think I should do?” I asked. He seemed to struggle with this for a moment before shaking his head.

“Honestly, I don’t know,” he finally stated as he stared me down. “As selfish as it sounds, I would prefer you stayed. However, I also feel like Chase’s offer is more than fair. In all honesty, it’s a matter of what you want to do.” I considered this for a moment, torn between what was expected and what I wanted.

I knew Chase’s concerns for allowing me to leave the group and start over in a whole new area. It was better than staying here and risking being charged. While I could always claim ignorance, I already knew that Joyce wouldn’t allow it. Besides, once Chase and the others were gone, I would be at the mercy of the King’s Knights. After all that had happened, there was no abandoning everyone.

“I’m going to stay,” I finally decided, and he looked relieved by my decision. “If all else, Sarah needs me, and I promised. I’ll plead ignorance to everyone, including Chase.”

CHAPTER SIX

Russel

No one could have possibly known just how grateful I was that Rebecca, who was inquisitive as ever, had made her decision. Even though Chase might disapprove, I felt relieved that she would stay with the group. It meant that I still had a chance to confess my feelings for her. It was long overdue.

Rebecca had been in my sights ever since I rejoined the group not long after her eighteenth birthday. She was a beautiful, curvy young woman who had grown into her body with the grace of a swan. Now, so much had changed. She was still as kind and beautiful as ever, and I yearned for her every day. I knew that all I had to do was tell her, and the chances of her becoming mine were higher than they already were.

With just a week before Thanksgiving, we arrived at the place Chase told us he wanted us to consider creating the new compound. It was a quaint little town at the foot of the Rockies in the southern part of the state. Despite what Chase originally implied, we already had the compound property and everything we needed to start the supposed legit business. Adam had no trouble building up a reputation as the best mechanic this town had ever seen. Still, after talking to Chase, Rebecca was going to open a bakery to help solidify our place in the town.

“Good morning,” Rebecca said as I entered the kitchen the third morning before Thanksgiving. “How did you sleep?” I cleared my throat as I poured myself a cup of coffee.

“I’ve had better nights,” I informed her as I sat down at the table with the piping hot cup of coffee. “I never expected it to get this cold this far south.” She chuckled as she placed a muffin on a plate and handed it to me.

“That’s what happens when you live in Colorado,” she stated. “All the locals have been warning me of this.” I nodded as I sipped the coffee in my mug.

“How are the locals treating you?” I asked, genuinely concerned about her well-being. “Any suspicions or anything?” She shook her head immediately.

“Even though this town is considered small, it’s still large enough that a small group of people moving in wasn’t too much of a concern,” she reassured me. “If anything, I think they’re more relieved to have sold so many houses on this side of town to ask any questions.” She turned her back towards me, and I was reminded of all those times I had been with Denise to satisfy my lustful desire for Rebecca.

“How has business been?” I asked, desperately trying to make small talk to distract myself from the arousal that grew inside me.