Page 13 of Shadow Touched

“Just drop it, okay? It’s not even up fordiscussion.”

She frowned. “You can’t erase him, Brim. Youcan’t keep him hidden away like he never existed. That’s not ahealthy way-”

“Stop!” he yelled, which caused her to jump.“What part of I don’t want to talk about it do you not understand?Jesus, woman, not everyone has to tear apart their emotions likewe’re in therapy! That’s why I didn’t want to fucking bring itup.”

She stiffened. “Why are you always somean?”

Once more she managed to render himstupefied. “What?”

Leia held up a hand and began to tick offthe count. “One, I save your life and you kidnap me. Two, you chainme up to you so I’m forced to pee in an outdoor bathroom.Three, you force me to use you as a pillow, which by the way, youaren’t comfortable. Four, you yell all the time. And five,you’re mean!”

She managed to take him so completely bysurprise that all he could do was gape at her. Her tirade managedto rob him of speech, and he scrambled to find his footing. Butbefore he could figure out a rebuttal, the roar of a motorcyclereverberated through the small downtown area. They both turned andwatched a large black bike pull into the gas station and roll up tothem. The rider cut the engine and pulled off his sunglasses.

“Kix,” Brim said in greeting.

The large, lethal looking biker gave a nodof greeting. “Thanks for showing respect,” he said, giving apointed glance at the cut Brim took off. “Your mom didn’t tell meyou were coming.”

“She doesn’t know,” Brim said. “We, ah…

He suddenly didn’t know if Leia would stillabide by their agreement after everything she had said to him.

“We wanted to surprise her!” she said,stepping in to fill the momentary gap of silence.

Kix looked between them. “We?”

“I’m Leia, like the Star Warsspelling,” she said and gave an enthusiastic wave. Then she grabbedhold of Brim’s arm and hugged it tight. “I’ve been beggingBrim to meet his mother and he finally relented, although I’mpretty sure it was to shut me up. I have that effect on him, butwhatever. We’re here now! So nice to meet you. I hope it’s okay wejust popped in!”

She smiled at him, then winked up at Brim.He almost missed the anger still lingering in her eyes.

Kix cleared his throat. “Um, sure. I’m KixRockwood, President of The White Death. Always good towelcome—”

Leia let go of Brim to curtsy. Brim coveredhis mouth to keep from laughing. If there was a right way to disarmKix Rockwood this was definitely it.

“Great!” Leia said enthusiastically. Shepointed to the diamond tattoo near his eye. “Did that hurt? I’vealways wanted a tattoo, but am just too chickenshit. Brim has alot, of course. He’s tough as nails, you know. It’s almostimpossible to get him to laugh.”

She rolled her eyes.

A brief moment passed while they all lookedat one another. Leia kept smiling, looking like a blank doll, butBrim knew it was all an act. He cleared his throat.

“I didn’t expect you to personally greetus,” Brim said, changing the subject.

“We’ve had to step-up our patrols,” Kixsaid.

“Problems?”

“A new gang decided to muster in on ourterritory. Thought we’d turn a blind eye on their racist shitantics. Big trucks flying big fucking Nazi flags. Pretty surethey’ve got tiny dick syndrome.”

Brim chuckled. “If you need any help, let meknow.”

“Might take you up on that. Striker isleading a run and Slade … well, he’s moved into anotherposition.”

“Not sure what that means,” Brim admitted,raising an eyebrow.

“He’s become his wife’s lieutenant in herBorgata.”

Brim blinked. “Borgata? Wait, Slade’smarried?”

Kix nodded. “To Normandy DiLuca.”

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