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“What are you thinking?” I ask him.
“I was thinking of how much I trust everyone in this room and how I can’t say the same for my coworkers. Even though they’re cops and are supposed to be the good guys. I know too many of them aren’t.”
“You only know Lieutenant Traynor is bad,” I protest. “He may be the only one.”
Rafe turns to study me. “One is one too many. I get cops are human, but there are lines cops shouldn’t cross.”
“Isn’t dating a biker crossing that line?” I ask somewhat teasingly.
Rafe leans in and gives me a soft kiss. “Not if I focus on justice and remember some truths about our laws. They are guidelines. They constantly change because they can’t cover all the possibilities. The law is rigid and unbending. Justice tempers the laws. Should a starving man who steals a dollar from a wealthy man receive the same sentence as a wealthy man who steals a dollar from a beggar? The law says yes. However, the reality is the wealthy man would likely not receive any punishment, while the poor man would. Is that justice?”
I shake my head. “Justice is all that matters.”
He grins at me before leaning over to kiss me. “Exactly.”
We continue eating as Max pulls up a chair next to me.
“You think we have enough evidence to cancel the warrant against Viper?” he asks Rafe.
“We should. That’s the first thing on my list tomorrow. I plan on contacting the D.A. to get the warrant rescinded.”
“Juliet said her contact at Michelson’s Trucking is contacting authorities this afternoon. She has all the information she needs to prove Traynor’s taking bribes,” Max continues. “I brought her and Spark their dinner. Juliet wanted to stay by the phone in case their contact needs help.”
“Putting heat on Traynor will help me take back Viper’s case. Normally, I wouldn’t go over my boss’s head, but I will. Tomorrow, I’ll speak to my captain about the case. I need to clear Viper.”
“Don’t risk your job on my account,” I protest. “I can stay in the clubhouse for a few more days. Eventually, you’ll find the killer, and his vendetta against me won’t matter.”
Rafe places his hand on mine and squeezes. “Being trapped in here is driving you crazy. I know it. You want to be out there helping the club or visiting with Angelica. Don’t deny it. You shouldn’t have to be in hiding. I have no problem risking my job if I can ensure your freedom. While I’d like to think I’d be this relentless for everyone, I know I’ll do even more for you. I love you.”
He kisses me again, which has Max making gagging noises. I glare at him, but before I can give him hell, Puma uses a knife to tap on his beer bottle.
“I have an announcement to make,” he says once everyone’s attention fixes on him. He has Mal in one arm, Elina in the other. Alisa’s pressed against his front. He should disappear under their presence, but Puma is a mountain. He shares a smile with Alisa, which gives Elina a chance to jump into the conversation.
“We’re having a baby!” Elina shouts out, which causes everyone in the room to laugh. Puma scowls at his stepdaughter, but he can’t maintain it. The happiness takes over, and he’s beaming around the room.
“We’re having a baby,” Puma confirms.
“Boy or a girl?” Wildcard shouts out.
“We don’t know, and we don’t care as long as we have a healthy baby,” Puma says.
“And as long as it doesn’t weigh ten pounds or more,” Alisa chimes in, which has everyone laughing but puts a look of concern on Puma’s face. I don’t think he considered until now just how big a baby of his would be. Mal is his son, but he wasn’t around when Mal’s mother gave birth.
“I think Puma’s realizing how big his baby will be,” Rafe whispers to me.
I chuckle and nod.
Puma puts Mal and Elina back down before focusing all his attention on Alisa. He lowers her into a chair, his hands hoveringover her still-flat stomach. He’s treating her like high-quality porcelain, fragile. Alisa rolls her eyes and shakes her head when he fusses at her.
I watch Elina and Mal make their way toward us, along with Chill’s stepson, Slade. When I was a prospect, I used to spend most of my time with these three. Some prospects would balk at the thought of babysitting, but I understood the importance of guarding our next generation. Knowing Puma put his faith in me to care for those he loves more than anything was an honor.
“Hey, guys, what are you up to?” I ask as they slide into seats at our table.
“We want to eat dessert with you,” Elina says as Smooth places three bowls of ice cream in front of the kids.
“I’m honored,” I tell her, giving her side a pinch and making her giggle.
“We also have something to ask you,” Slade says, glancing at Elina. Elina may be the youngest of the three and the only girl, but there is no doubt she’s their leader.
