Page 14 of Shadow Touched

“No shit!” He’d seen on the news what hadhappened to Tony DiLuca and his sons. “Pretty unusual for a womanto take it over.”

“And Slade took her name. It sent amessage.” Kix gave Leia a pointed look. “But we can talk aboutother stuff later. Why don’t you follow me back to thegrandstand?”

Brim nodded and then handed over the helmetto Leia. Kix waited on his bike until they were situated and thenhe took off. Brim followed, leaving the small town behind. Theydrove by fields with tall cornstalks swaying in the light breeze.Brim knew that the MC was self-sufficient, and it was somethingthat he hoped his own club could achieve one day. A stone wall gavea modicum of safety. The gate to the compound was open, and one ofKix’s men waved in greeting as they rode through.

The three-story grandstand of a home waspainted a fresh white. Black shutters contrasted sharply. Severallarge garages lay nestled around the house, each with bikes restingin front. Brim parked his bike and cut the engine, then waited asLeia dismounted.

“Wow, I would’ve never thought this was thehome of a biker gang.”

Brim frowned. “You really have a badperception of us, don’t you?”

“Well, kidnapping me didn’t help,” shemuttered.

“You really don’t trust me, do you? Justremember we’re here because you said this was a good idea.”

She waved away his words. “I know. And Iknow my job. But… Look, for what it’s worth, I am beginningto trust you. I’m just not entirely there yet. This whole thing hasme anxious.”

He didn’t know why her words eased some ofthe tightness in his chest. “Come on. Let’s get this overwith.”

Kix waved at them from the porch steps ofthe grandstand, indicating they should follow him. Brim took holdof her elbow, but Leia tried to pull away.

“Remember that we have to convince peoplewe’re a couple,” he muttered. “And that can’t happen if you’refighting me.”

She looked up at him. “Remember ourbargain.”

“I will always look out for you. Trust me inthat.”

They stared at one another, and slowly, thebarest hint of a smile turned up the corners of her mouth. Heglanced at the plump lips, and the thought he’d like to see themwrapped around his cock unexpectantly flashed through his mind.He’d found her interesting the first time he’d seen her, and thatinterest had only increased. Yet now, something inside him shiftedprecariously. Lust certainly, but also an intangible element thathad him lifting his hand to move a strand of hair off her cheek.Their gazes locked, held. The world tilted, throwing him offbalance, and he had an unwanted suspicion that he’d never be thesame again.

“Come on, you two!” a female voice calledout, breaking the spell.

Leia blinked and turned away, leaving Brimwith a feeling akin to loss. Didn’t she feel the same way? A littleunsettled, he pushed whatever it was aside. Kix’s wife, Piper,waved at them from the top of the grandstand’s porch. Leia returnedthe wave and headed toward her. Brim eyed her ass as she walkedaway, acutely aware that his dick had decided it liked what it saw.Luckily his jeans were tight enough to half conceal his damn boner.What a time to suddenly get hard.

He followed Leia into the living room of thehouse. It had been a while since he’d last been there and he notedthe changes. The enormous three-story farmhouse was where Piper andKix lived, taking up the entire first floor. Toys were everywhere.A baby gate blocked off the staircase leading up to the next floor.The very pregnant belly of Piper seemed to precede her into everyroom.

“Welcome!” she said with a gentle smile.“Kix called to let me know you were here, Brim. I’m sure your momis on her way. She and Striker are now living in our old home. Oncethe babies started coming, we had to move into the grandstand. Moreroom.”

“Thanks for having us,” Brim replied. “Thisis Leia.”

“Thank you so much for inviting us into yourhome,” Leia said. “It’s absolutely breathtaking! Modern homes areso cookie-cutter nowadays. I appreciate homes with morepersonality.”

Piper beamed and placed a hand on her belly.“I agree. Most MCs only have a clubhouse, but this is more likehomebase. The men outfitted one of the garages to be their quartersand party den. We redecorated a bit. Updated the kitchen. I didn’twant to be under construction when the twins came along.”

“How many children do you have?” Leiaasked.

“This is number three and I think I’m doneafter this fella is born. Tubes will be tied. I’m getting too oldto be chasing after three kids under five.” Piper chuckled. “Pleasesit. What would you like to drink?”

“Oh, please let me help you,” Leia said.“You shouldn’t be lifting anything too heavy.”

“I’m okay—”

“I agree,” Kix said from the doorway. In hisarms he carried two toddlers, a boy and a girl. The little girl hadher head on his shoulder. “Sit down, Piper. I’ll pour us some icedtea.”

He set the kids down and they promptlyhurried over to their mom. Kix went into the kitchen and Leiafollowed, leaving Brim with Piper and her children.

“Seems odd seeing him with the twins,doesn’t it?” she asked as she sat on the couch. The two kidssnuggled into her, with the boy sucking his thumb. The actionbrought an aching pain to Brim’s heart.

His son used to do that.

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