Page 34 of Ride

Laikin signed an autograph for the rosy cheeked waitress and pulled out his wallet to pay.

“Dinner’s on the house, Mr. Laikin. The owner’s a big fan,” she said.

Everyone left a generous tip and stood. As I grabbed my purse, my phone lit up, and my brother's name scrolled across the screen.

“Hello.” As soon as I answered, a strong hand pressed against my lower back. I stiffened and turned to see Laikin behind me. Our eyes locked for a split second. His chivalry was still there as he held the door open, allowing me to walk out first into the hallway of the hotel.

“Kayne wanted to say goodnight before he goes to bed,” Brett said. I heard rustling through the phone at the same time flashes of light beamed in front of our faces.

“Laikin and Sincere over here!” Loud screams of fans distracted the mob of photographers. Sarai strolled to the black SUV. Instinctively on guard, like a pit bull in a ring, Laikin blocked anyone from touching me.

I scrambled behind Sarai, climbing in closer to the window. “Hi, baby boy.”

“Hi, Mommy.” Kayne yawned through the phone.

“Did you have a good day with your uncle Brett?”

Laikin swiped away on his cell phone with a brow raised and a crooked smile on his face.

“Yes, when are you coming home?”

“Tomorrow and we’ll have the entire day to spend doing whatever you like.”

“Yay! Can Laikin come?”

The torment of his presence every time Kayne wanted to hang with him was becoming too tempting. Hearing the loud scream of his name, Laikin gazed at me with a smirk.

“Um, I’m not sure, baby. Laikin has to work.”

Kayne responded, “Okay.”

“Listen, Mommy has to go. See you tomorrow. Be a good boy.” The impulse to reach out and smack the smirk off Laikin’s face rose.

Kayne replied, “Bye, Mommy.”

I tucked my phone away after setting it on do not disturb, ignoring the stare from Laikin while the car pulled off into traffic. Making our way to club didn’t take long. Sincere helped me out this time as the driver helped Sarai on the other side.

We walked in to loud cheers of Laikin and Sincere’s names. A loud beat of music passed through the club as the women did their best to get to them. Laikin held on tight to my hand, which I never asked him to take. I wanted to yank it away to not give the wrong impression, but he insisted on me being close to him like this was my first time in a club. I went out with my girls back home plenty of times. Laikin stopped to talk with another guy, while Sincere hugged a woman who could barely cover her breasts in the tube top she was wearing.

“We have a section for you, bro.” The owner motioned for us to follow him. Security created a space for us so we could get through the crowd from the bar to where we’d be sitting.

“In the house tonight is Sincere Pendleton, and our boy, Laikin Trenton, from the top league of drivers in the Formula One industry.” Removing my hand from Laikin’s, I took a seat. I grabbed the champagne bottle and glass, then poured a sip to calm my nerves after being in the public eye. If Winter could see me right now, she’d be ready to twerk and rock her hips in a celebration.

“Anything else you need, let me know, cuz,” the manager explained.

I eyed Laikin for staring at me. “What?” My senses throbbed with the strength, feel, and scent of him.

Laikin spread his legs wide, showcasing his thick penis, which could not be avoided under his black slacks. “Nothing.”

My back pressed against the seat. “Trip has gone well. Are you excited to get back on the track?”

Laikin gripped the bottle of Don Julio as the waitress placed more napkins on the table.

“Yeah, time to get back on to show folks who I am,” Laikin boasted, lighting a cigar.

I leaned in close to speak over the loud music. “Since when do you smoke cigars?”

“A lot about me you have missed, Amena.” Laikin sat back on the couch, head falling back as he looked up at the ceiling, blowing out smoke with an arm stretched behind me.

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