Page 35 of Shadow Touched

She blinked up at him. “You don’t likeit?”

“There’s a unicorn as my screensaver.”

“Yes,” she said brightly as she stood up tostand next to him. “There’re also hearts. See? Right there.”

She pointed to the corner of the screen.

“How could I miss them?” He scrolled throughthe phone, trying not to lose his temper. “How many games did youdownload?”

“Four? No, five. It was actually six, but Ididn’t like the last one.”

He turned off the phone. “Come on. We’reheaded into town.”

“Why?”

“We’re getting you a phone.”

“But I can just use yours—”

“Nope. Absolutely not. You forfeited thatprivilege with the unicorn.”

“Oh. Then you’re really going to hate allthe pictures I assigned to your men.”

A devilish smile lurked at the corner of hermouth. Instead of kissing her senseless and then spanking her ass,he turned on his heels and left his office. She bounced behind him,and he swore he heard a giggle.

Chapter Thirteen

Leia held on tight to Brim as they roaredaway from the compound. The warm sun beat down on her head even asthe wind cooled her skin. Many people waved as they drove by, andshe returned their greeting.

At the phone store she dithered back andforth about which phone would be best, until Brim took the decisionout of her hands and chose the most expensive one on display. Sherewarded him with a kiss. The heat in his eyes promised he’dcollect payment that night.

“Do you want me to run you home or back tothe club?” he asked. “I have church later on so will be busy for afew hours. I don’t want you to be bored.”

She held up her new phone. “I won’t bebored. I’m going to collect all the phone numbers of your men andthen I’ll find songs to attach to them. I think they’d like that.What do you think Thorn’s ring tone should be?”

He thought for a moment. “Make it somethingreally cute. He’ll like that.”

“I’m going to ignore your suggestion, andinstead use that idea for yours. How about that Mary Poppins song,because you’re just so darn sweet?”

He rolled his eyes, but held her hand asthey walked back to his bike. He straddled it and waited as sheclimbed on the back, wrapping her arms around his waist. Justbefore they roared off, she happened to glance back toward thephone store and saw a woman staring at her. She wore sunglasses andhad a hat on. Although there was no way to identify her, Leiathought it might be the woman from Wal-Mart. Then the woman turnedaway and headed into the store. Shaking it off as her imaginationworking overtime, Leia quickly forgot about her as Brim headed backtoward the clubhouse.

****

Brim sat in his chair in the church room,watching as each man filed in. Thorn sat to his right, but thechair to his left, which was reserved for Knuckles, was empty.Lincoln was his road captain, and the unsmiling brother glancedbriefly at the chair before sitting down. He gave a polite nod toBrim. After everyone had settled, Brim brought the meeting toorder.

“I only want to say this once, and that’s tothank all of you for giving me room to grieve the loss of my son,”Brim said, choosing his words carefully. “I’ve shirked my duties toyou as president, and I’m sure this festered some hardfeelings.”

“There’s not a man here that’s going to callyou a pussy,” Thorn said.

“No man should bury his kid,” Lincolnadded.

A chorus of murmurs agreed with thatstatement.

“Did going nomad help?” another memberasked.

Brim nodded. “And meeting Leia. She’s …special. Treat her with kindness or I’ll kick your asses.”

Chuckles broke the solemn mood in theroom.

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