Page 63 of May 11

She gazed at Wire's back until he disappeared into the alley. She looked at Brooke and Maverick and shook her head. "Has he gone crazy?"

Brooke hugged her husband and grinned. "Better check out your new ride, girlfriend."

She raised her hands. "Everyone has lost their minds."

"Looks like he's trying to tell you he likes you." Brooke laughed softly. "Take the car. Tell him you like him back."

"That's childish," she muttered.

Maverick's chuckle turned into a cough. Cora blew out her breath, not intending for anyone to hear her.

She sat in the driver's seat and threw her purse on the passenger side. Shutting the door, she put the seat belt on and found the ignition button.

The engine turned over, purring all around her.

Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd played on the radio. The back of her head hit the headrest, and she laughed. He'd teased her for listening to old-school music at his house when cooking dinner.

It should come as no surprise that her parents played music from their generation. It was the music she was raised on.

Reeling in shock at what he'd done, a part of her was irritated that he'd assume she'd allow a man to buy her a high-priced item, and a part of her was total mush that he would show her how he felt by buying her a car, she swallowed the lump of emotions choking her.

She was falling in love with him.

Bad ass, scary, gruff, stubborn, and with a felony record, Wire was the exact opposite of what she'd want in a boyfriend. But his commitment, protectiveness, and quiet devotion broke through her grief and healed her heart.

For the last couple of months, she'd laughed more than she could remember laughing. She fell asleep with a smile on her face and woke up with Wire making love to her.

While there were times, she missed her parents so much she physically hurt, the crippling pain wasn't happening every day.

She even smiled, knowing her parents were together. With their age difference, she always believed her father would go first, and her mom would be here to help her go on without her dad.

But they were together the way they had lived their life.

She pulled away from the curb. Adrenaline spiked. It'd been a long time since she drove anything but the Sprinter van.

This car—she glanced at the middle of the steering wheel—was sporty and small. She turned on the blinker and went around the block. It seemed faster and easier to navigate, too.

Coming back around, she drove down the alley into the area behind the clubhouse. Careful not to drive too close to where the bikers park at the back of the building, she pulled in behind her van.

Wire walked away from the group of men and headed toward her. She shut off the car, took out the key, and hurried to get out of the seat.

She waited for Wire to reach her, then wrapped her arms around his waist and gazed into his face. "I have a car back home."

He shrugged.

"I have multiple cars back home since the ones my parents drove are now mine." She inhaled swiftly. "I probably should've told you more about my life."

"I know all I need to know, babe." He pushed back her hair and cupped her face. "I also know you're here with me, living in my house, sleeping in my bed, and having some of your freedom stripped away because you were in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"That's not your fault."

"Maybe. Maybe not. But what I do know is while you're here with me, I'll take care of you." He lowered his head and kissed her upturned lips. "Whatever happens for the rest of the summer, you're not alone. When summer is over..." He rested his forehead against the top of her head. "Babe, I don't want you to leave. Stay here with me."

She looked up at him again. "Are you serious?"

"Said it." He kissed her. "Ain't taking it back."

"You didn't have to buy me a car."

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