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“I wish we hadn’t lost so many years,” she started, but I stopped her with a light kiss.
“No more looking back. Okay?” I raised a brow as I waited for her to answer. For a moment her brow wrinkled and she looked sad, then she shook it off and her expression softened. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that she couldn’t stop looking back and that when she looked forward all she saw were insurmountable odds.
She gave me a peck before she stepped back and turned to peek into Trace’s room, where he was playing Go Fish with Lynda. “You gonna be good for Ms. Lynda?”
I looked over her shoulder and made a goofy face at my son, causing him to giggle. When Korrie turned to look over her shoulder at me, I gave her an innocent smile. Those gorgeous green and brown irises were eclipsed when she narrowed her eyes on me suspiciously. Lynda was hiding behind her cards, trying not to laugh.
“What?” I asked, batting my eyes dramatically with a deadpan expression.
“You two better get going. You’re holding up our game over here,” grumbled Lynda playfully.
I shot her a mock salute and stepped past Korrie to where Trace was sitting at the card table with his toes dragging along the floor while he swung his legs. “Love you, little man. We’ll see you soon.”
He stood up, pushed his chair back, and hugged me. My heart ached as I wrapped my arms around him. Before I could get choked up like a pussy, I cleared my throat and stepped back so Korrie could crouch in front of him to say goodbye. Feeling fortunate that he’d so quickly accepted my place in his life, I gave a lopsided grin at my little family.
“We’ll see you soon. If you need anything, you have Ms. Lynda call us. Okay?” she said, and Trace gave her a patient smile.
“Mom. Everything will be cool.” His mature way of handling most things never failed to amaze me. Then again, I was a lot like him at that age. I’d been looking after my sister for over a year by the time I was eight.
“Love you, buddy,” she murmured, and he smiled as he hugged her neck tight.
“Love you too, Mom.” He sat back at the table and focused on his cards. Then he glanced my way and raised his brows. “Dad, I expect you to keep my mom safe on your bike.”
“Roger that, little man.” I took her hand in mine. “Let’s go,” I whispered in her ear. Reluctantly, she left the room and followed me out to the bikes. There was a decided nip in the air, but the sun was shining brightly as I pulled on my helmet and slid my shades over my eyes.
When I climbed on my bike after Venom was seated on his, I glanced at Korrie. “Come on, babe. Hop on.”
Her chest was rising and falling heavily, and her eyes had a bit of a deer in the headlights look as she stared at my ride. “Umm.”
“Babe?” I questioned as the brothers began to start their bikes.
“I’ve never been on a bike,” she finally said as her gaze rose and locked on mine. Inwardly, I sighed in relief, because that was something we could work with. It made me happy as fuck that not only would it be the first time she rode with me, she’d never been on the back of anyone else’s either. I wished Jasmine had decided to come with, because she might’ve been able to tell Korrie she could trust me.
They’d become closer over the past weeks, which was a relief. It was a big deal for the most important women in your life to get along. And though Jasmine may not be crazy about the club, she did appreciate riding with me from time to time.
“It’s okay. All you have to do is relax. Hang on to me and lean slightly when I do. I put the sissy rest on for you, so your ass won’t slide off the back.” I grinned at her eyes widening at my teasing comment. “Babe, I’ve got you. Trust me?”
“Yeah, but not so sure I trust the other drivers out there that don’t pay attention.”
Hawk revved his throttle as he looked over his shoulder at me in question. Korrie was still frozen in her boots, shoulders damn near touching her ears. I saw him lean over to Venom, say something to him, then drop his kickstand to get off his bike and head our way. He gave me a reassuring chin lift.
“Hey, pretty girl,” he murmured. She looked up at him as her chest kept rising and dropping with a shudder. “Nervous?”
With difficulty, she swallowed hard and nodded. He pulled off his glove and ran a finger over the curve of her cheek. She took one deep breath, then her shoulders dropped as she appeared to relax.
A relieved smile lifted her beautiful cheeks. Hawk held her hand and set it in mine as she climbed on behind me. I gave him a thankful nod, because a lot of clubs would’ve told me to “leave the bitch behind.” Instead, he grinned and shouted, “Let’s ride, boys!”
Reaching back, I gave her calf a little squeeze to let her know I had her, then encouraged her to hang on to my waist as we pulled out of the lot. A prospect rolled the gate shut after the last bike cleared the opening.
Voodoo was calling as we started down the road. Though I could see the call coming through, I wasn’t able to answer it on the bike. I grinned at his excitement for us to get there. His mom had been at the hospital with them since late last night when they’d gone in. Kira’s mom had been in Russia visiting her family for the last few months and had storm delays, so it would be a day or two before she got back in country.
With each turn we took, Korrie’s fingers clenched my cut tight. When we accelerated, she leaned into me. After the first few miles, I felt rather than heard her laughter as it vibrated against my back. By the time we all parked at the hospital, she was grinning from ear to ear and her cheeks were flushed rosy from the wind.
I hung our helmets on the bike and turned to her as everyone dismounted and took off their helmets and gloves. Opening the saddlebag, I pulled out the black-and-orange gift bag I’d crammed in there.
“God, Angel! What have I been missing?” Her laughter was rich and did something to my insides as I grabbed the front of her leather jacket and pulled her in for a kiss. Her nose was cold, but she’d obviously enjoyed the ride. We smiled mouth to mouth as her eyes sparkled. “I can barely feel my fingertips, but I’m pretty sure they might be overrated.”
Heart full, I chuckled before I stepped back and put an arm around her. Heads tipped together, we followed the brothers in the front doors. We garnered many looks, everything from awe to fear, but for the most part we ignored them. Everyone smashed onto the elevator and rode to the floor Voodoo had texted us earlier.
