Page 166 of Snared Rider

“I love you, too.” I tip my head back so he can brush his mouth against mine and relish the touch of his hand on the small of my back.

The kiss is short, chaste, and it leaves me wanting more. Then again, I always feel that way with Logan. He smiles at me, dimples and all, and takes my hand in his.

The front door opens just as we’re about to knock, revealing Derek and Slade. Dorothy is on their heels, her usually bright apparel a little more sombre today (although she’s still wearing a faux-fur gilet). The older woman looks frazzled and concerned, and this makes me worry. I go straight to her, wrapping my arms around her and she falls into my embrace without question.

“He’s okay,” I assure her, as I pull back from her arms. She nods and closes her eyes and I keep hold of her as I turn back to the men.

“Prez, Slade.” Logan juts his chin in greeting and the three men do that weird forearm shake thing they are so fond of. Once the greetings are done, Derek slides his eyes in my direction.

Eyes that see everything.

“How’re doing, girl?”

“I’m on the mend.” This is my standard response because I am on the mend. Physically at least; mentally is another matter. But I know these men. While Derek asked the question he really does not want an emotional tirade of all the ways in which I’m not okay, so I don’t go there.

“Glad to hear it, sweetheart. If you need anything—anything—you let me know.”

“Thank you,” I say because telling him I won’t need anything is a waste of time. Derek will do what Derek does best, and that’s take care of his family. That includes me.

Slade glances between Logan and I, his brow knitting.

“You and this lump are together then?” His forthcoming words surprise me, although they shouldn’t. Slade’s never been one for tact.

“Uh…”

Logan’s arm goes around my back to rest on my hip. “Yeah, we’re together.”

Slade’s sharp gaze snaps to Logan and I see the challenge there.

Oh, boy.

I ready myself for whatever is going to come next, which, knowing these men, could be anything.

“You claiming her?”

In any other situation being asked if I am being claimed would be highly insulting. In our world it means something more. It means something deeper. Logan claiming me says I’m his and he’s mine, that he’ll take care of me always.

“I thought that was obvious,” Logan tells the two older men, who exchange looks.

“You make that shit official, boy.” Derek’s warning is just that: a warning. Logan doesn’t respond, but watches as Derek presses a kiss to my cheek. “If he doesn’t take care of you, you let me know.”

I laugh. “If he doesn’t take care of me, you’ll all know anyway when I kick his backside.”

Slade throws his head back and roars laughter.

“Fuck,” he pats Logan’s shoulder. “Good luck with this one, pal.”

I shoot him a dark glare.

Bastard.

Like Logan needs luck. If anything, I am the one who needs luck. These men are not easy to deal with.

Derek claps Logan’s shoulder before leaning down to kiss Dorothy’s cheek. Slade does the same before the two men head out the door.

Logan watches them make their way up the path and climb on their bikes before he shuts the front door.

I turn my attention to Dorothy, who is definitely putting on a brave face.

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