Page 46 of Claim Me

“Getting swept into the world of the Backcountry Kings when I was a kid saved my life,” I explain, feeling nostalgic lately.

Siobhan’s gaze softens and fills with sadness. She’s thinking of a little boy version of me. I’ve seen that look on her face many times over the years. Siobhan owns a heart filled with sympathy for those who didn’t win the family jackpot like she did.

“Our baby won’t know those struggles,” I say, trying to distract her from feeling bad. “It’ll always have a good family.”

My words do the trick, winning a smile from Siobhan. We finish eating without feeling like we need to fill every silence with words.

After sliding on a long T-shirt and underwear, Siobhan feeds Bubbles. I follow her around, enjoying how I can reach out and touch her whenever I want.

We’re still riding our post-fuck harmony when the sound of motorcycles startles us.

“Ugh, why?” Siobhan asks after checking the security footage.

I peer out the front shades to find Zoot, Noble, and Scarecrow rolling up the driveway. They climb off their motorcycles and head for the front door. Zoot’s brown hair looks damp like he was interrupted mid-shower. Scarecrow was in too much of a hurry to put on a shirt under his club vest. His hair is wild as usual. All three men hold themselves as if they’re going to war.

“Maybe something’s happened,” I suggest.

Siobhan checks her phone. “Someone would have texted me. Just ignore them.”

I frown at her from my spot in the foyer. Only then do I remember how she isn’t wearing pants, and I don’t have a shirt on. Maybe I shouldn’t engage with Zoot just yet.

Yet, once he knocks loudly, I immediately open the door. My president has his weapon out and looks on the warpath. Once his gaze finds me, Zoot’s rage flips to confusion.

“What the fuck is this?”

“That’s Indigo,” Siobhan calls from where I assume she’s locating pants. “He rides in your club.” Hurrying around the corner wearing shorts, she adds, “Have you suffered any other dementia moments? Should we take you to a doctor?”

While Noble chuckles at her comment, Zoot pushes past me and into the house. Standing over Siobhan, he mutters, “We got word you were running around town with an unknown biker. Noble was concerned so we came over.”

Noble struts past us and points at his brother’s back. “It was all him.”

Siobhan frowns at them entering the house. “You could have called.”

“We figured you might be running around town with a creep,” Zoot says, looking around as if still searching for the unknown biker. “We figured you were slumming it with a lowlife. Or maybe the guy was blackmailing you. No telling what was going on.”

“Uh, you still could have called.”

“You’d have lied.”

Siobhan frowns at Zoot. “Hell, yeah, I would have. Why doyoucare whose dick I ride?”

“Wait, is that what’s happening here?” Zoot asks and points between Siobhan and me. “You better not be working your way through my club, hussy. Nothing breaks up a crew faster than fighting over a woman’s pussy.”

“Zoot, that’s your niece’s pussy you’re talking about,” Noble says and gets himself a drink from the fridge. “Can I have these leftover noodles?”

“Sure.”

“How about me?” Scarecrow asks, crowding Noble now.

“I don’t know if there’s enough for you both. Stop distracting me from Zoot policing my love life.”

“Is that what’s happening here?” Zoot asks her and sneers. “Love and hearts and flowers?”

“How did you even know about me and a biker?” Siobhan demands.

Zoot shrugs. “I pay your neighbor to spy on you.”

“And they didn’t recognize Indigo?”