Page 27 of Shadow Touched

The words brought tears to her eyes, and awarmth to her soul. As Leia sat down on a stool next to thechildren, Martha slid a plate in front of her. She smiled herthanks and picked up a slice of bacon to munch on. A minute later,Brim walked into the kitchen. He marched over to her and kissed thetop of her head before sitting down next to her.

“We’ll be heading out after breakfast,” heannounced.

“So soon?” Martha asked, soundingdisappointed. “You haven’t seen Striker yet.”

“Tell him I said hello, but I’ve got to getback to my club.”

She tutted and handed him a plate of food.“Guess I can’t fault you for that. It’s about time.”

“Don’t start, Ma.”

She rolled her eyes and turned to startfilling up the dishwasher.

“Kix is out at the garage, negotiatingselling off the truck parts,” Piper said. “That man can turn aprofit out of anything.”

“There are worse habits,” Brim said with asmile.

“Spoken like a true MC president.”

He gave a one-shoulder shrug. Martha set acup of black coffee in front of him. He thanked her and took asip.

“I don’t know about you, but these clothesare the only ones I have,” Leia said to him. “Can we stop byWal-Mart before we get to your club?”

“Yeah,” he said and took another sip.“That’s a good idea. I’m going to head on out and say goodbye toKix. Meet me by the bike in ten minutes.”

She nodded and watched as he left out theback door. Conflict stirred through her mind. The desire growingfor him warred with common sense. They’d only known each other fora few days so any type of intimacy deserved caution, but it washard to keep her wayward thoughts morally grounded. Years ago, shehad tried having a relationship, but when she’d seen the shadow ofdeath on his shoulder, it hadn’t ended too well. Brim wasn’tanything like her ex-boyfriend, but it didn’t diminish thehesitancy.

“Please come back anytime,” Piper said.

Leia broke her stare at the back door tolook at her. “Thank you.”

Piper smiled. “It’s I who should thank you.You saved my family, after all. I don’t want to even think aboutwhat could’ve happened if you hadn’t been here.”

The praise made her slightly uncomfortable.“You believed me. That was thanks enough.”

Martha came around the island and held outher arms. Leia blinked. She’d never had a parental figure want togive her a hug. Feeling awkward, she hugged her back. Warmth filledher, bringing an ache in her heart because she’d never known whatshe’d been missing until now. She could pretend all she wanted thatshe didn’t need love, but the hug was nearly her undoing.

“Please come back,” Martha whispered.

“I will.”

****

Kix shook his hand. “If you ever want tostep away from the Death Riders, I’m still needing a new V.P..”

Brim grinned. “Can’t have two alpha malestrying to be boss. I can send your brother.”

“Fuck no,” Kix said with a chuckle.

They walked back toward the front of thegrandstand where Brim had parked his bike after the shootout. Leiastood next to it, chatting with Piper and his mother, and hecouldn’t seem to take his eyes off her. There had been somethingabout her right from the start, but he never could’ve imaginedshe’d become so important so quickly.

“Mac is at your disposal if you need him,”Kix said.

“Thank you. I have to be careful in mysearch. I was ambushed in a place no one should’ve known about,which means I was being followed.”

“Well, with her by your side I have no doubtyou’ll find the traitor.”

Brim silently agreed. Martha rushed over tohim and hugged him tightly.

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