Page 11 of Single Mom for the Bikers

I stroke the back of my head gingerly, running my fingertips over the goose egg that still hurts like a bitch. “No, but maybe this was my phone call. I’m the fucking defector, remember? You slid out between the cracks right before everything went down.”

Razor's chuckle is dark and more than a little bitter. “Maybe you're right. If someone thinks I joined up here just to save my skin and they want to hurt the Eagles, they might be willing to take a chance.”

“Or maybe we’re both just paranoid motherfuckers.” I sight down the rear of the bike to see if anything else looks twisted. I’d rather replace too much than have something give out while I’m speeding down the highway. “I could’ve just been hit by somefucking suburbanite coming home after one too many at the bar and worried about getting a DUI.”

“I don't fucking believe in coincidences. Something's going on. And I think it's tied to the Outlaw Sons.”

I snort in disbelief. “The Sons? Why the fuck would you think that? They’ve always kept a tight rein on things and stayed out of club drama.”

“You haven't been paying attention.” He pulls a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket and starts playing with it, knocking it against his thigh so one of the cigs pops out halfway, then pushing it back in. “There was a power vacuum after we cleaned up, and they’ve been expanding fast. Too fast. It dilutes authority and fucks with the whole dynamic. Eagle-eye, King and the rest of the officers have been keeping eyes on them. Dunno any more than that. I might be an old buddy, but I’m not inner circle, you know?” He looks around to make sure no one's come in.

I nod. He and Eagle-eye go way back, but Razor’s fairly new to the Screaming Eagles. “Alright, but even if someone wanted to take a shot at me, how the fuck would they know to do it there and then? Even I didn’t know exactly when I was going to be coming back or which route I’d take.”

He stuffs the pack back in his pocket while making an annoyed grimace. “True… true… Maybe you’re right. I’m getting old and maybe I’m seeing shadows, but remember that us old guys are still around for a reason. It ain’t from taking chances.”

“Fair.” I toss the wrench back in the tray. There isn’t much more I can do before I can grab new parts tomorrow. And get Wraith to put a new paint job on it. “I’ll keep my eyes and ears open.”

“Do that.” Razor laughs. “It’s been a couple decades since anyone gave a shit, but I’m your godfather. I’d hate to outlive you.”

I growl and take a lazy swing at him, but he dodges outta the way. He might be gray, but he's still spry. I try not to let the wince show on my face when my beat-up body protests the sudden movement. Then I sober. “Fuck, if the Pit Vipers are back and out to cause trouble… things are gonna get ugly.”

He nods. “Ugly as fuck.”

7

SHELBY

“Come on,baby. Are you sure you don’t want to wake up? You’re getting pretty heavy,” I whisper as I pull Mia out of her booster seat.

Her backpack is already over my shoulder, and I have her pillow—that she insisted on bringing—crammed under my arm. I could take it in two trips, but that would mean either leaving her alone in the car, or leaving the house unlocked with her inside, which I wouldn’t have thought twice about last week, but now…

“Hey there, pretty lady. Need a hand?” a jovial voice calls.

I turn to find a man leaning on the outside post of the fence that separates my yard from the neighbor's. He's burly, in that way that looks like it would be chubby if the extra fluff wasn’t packed on top of muscle. He has an easy grin, and while he’s definitely checking me out, it’s not giving me the same little thrill that I got when Havoc and his friends eyed me up and down. He's got a bit of a shadow covering his jaw, and he's wearing jeans and a black hoodie.

“Um, thanks, but I've got it. Just part of being a mom,” I call, trying to hit that balance between being friendly, but not encouraging. He doesn't look dangerous, but they rarely do. I've had enough strangers showing up at my house for a while, and you never know with men. They’re a lot like vampires—once you invite them in, it can be really hard to get them out without a stake through the chest.

“Cute kid,” he continues, not taking the hint. “I live just down the road. Moved in not too long ago. You lived here long?”

I feel a little guilty. He’s not being creepy really, just a little overly friendly. “Not really. Sorry, maybe we can chat another time, I've really got to?—”

Mia wakes up with a start and looks around with wide, confused eyes like I pulled her through a portal to another world. “Where are we? Are we home?”

“We are, sweetie. Can I let you down?” She considers it for a long moment before she nods. It's a relief. She's getting so big. The instant her feet touch the ground, she’s off towards the house like a bolt of lightning.

Wasn't she just asleep?

The man laughs, still there. “Man, I wish I still had that kinda energy. I heard someone say that if adults ran around like little kids did, we'd die of a heart attack in minutes. Dunno if that's true, but I'm willing to believe it.”

I laugh politely. “Me too.”

Since he seems determined not to leave before we've said a proper hello, I put Mia's things down, and meet him on the sidewalk in front of the house.

“Matt Kelsey.” He holds out a hand and smiles widely. “Pleased to meet you. If I knew there was such a beautiful woman in my neighborhood, I would’ve headed this way sooner. It’s all divorced dads and retirees the other way.”

“Nice to meet you, Matt. I'm Shelby.”

“That’s a pretty name. Never met anyone called Shelby before. Your husband inside?” He makes a show of looking towards the house. “It's a shame for you to have to handle this all yourself. Let me get that.” And before I can stop him, he's picked up Mia's backpack and Mr. Bear.

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