Page 77 of Nanny for the Bikers

“Glad to hear it. We’ve worked hard to build up a good community for locals and out of towners. Tank, our founder, really pushed for our members to be the law enforcement our town was lacking. Not every club can say their mission is to be selfless in their community. There’s a lot of greedy clubs who prey on the weak.”

“Yeah, like the Fallen Angels,” Razor comments. Some of the other members inside grumble at the mention of the other club.

“The members of the Fallen Angels are some of the most ruthless bastar-“ I cough stopping them from cursing in front of Ayala. I glare at them not wanting to put a damper on the mood. Razor notices my glare and changes topics quickly. Razor starts to tell a story of getting his bike stuck in a bush and the mood lightens up.

I sigh of relief escapes me as Ayla laughs at the story. I marvel at how seamlessly Ayla fits into my world, how easily she navigates the rough-and-tumble banter of the club. It’s like she was always meant to be here, a missing piece clicking perfectly into place.

Listening to their lighthearted conversation, I realize that my members are genuinely taken with Ayla. Their smiles are warm and their laughter sincere as they trade quips and anecdotes. They treat her with a level of kindness and respect that I’ve rarely seen them extend to outsiders.

As Razor and Stitch eventually bid their goodbyes and wander off, Ayla turns to me, her eyes shining with happiness. “They’re amazing,” she says, her voice filled with genuine admiration. “I can see why you love them so much.”

“Bikers aren’t so bad, huh?”

She laughs.

“Thank you for sharing your family with me.”

I tighten my arms around her, emotion welling up in my throat. “They’re your family now too, sweetheart. You belong here, with us. With me.”

Ayla pulls back just enough to meet my gaze, her green eyes searching mine. I see a flicker of uncertainty there, a remnant of the hurt and fear that she’s carried for so long. But beneath that, I also see hope and a growing trust that takes my breath away. I’m never going to give her a reason again to ever doubt me. Us.

“I’m starting to believe that,” she admits softly, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “Being here, with you and the club... it feels right. Like I’m finally home.”

The words sink into my heart, filling me with a joy so intense it borders on pain. I’ve waited my whole life to hear someone say those words, to find a person who truly understands what the Black Wolves mean to me.

And now, against all odds, I’ve found her. This brave, beautiful woman who chooses to stand by my side.

I lower my head, capturing her lips in a searing kiss that says everything I can’t put into words. Ayla responds with equal fervor, her hands sliding up my chest to twine around my neck.

We lose ourselves in the kiss, in the electric slide of lips and tongues, until the need for air finally forces us apart. I rest my forehead against hers, breathing hard.

“I love you, Ayla,” I rasp, the words raw and honest in the charged space between us. “More than anything in this world.”

Ayla kisses me again.

I notice she doesn’t say the words back, but that’s okay. She can say them in her own time. We have nothing but time.

41

AYLA

Iwatch Piper gurgle happily on her play blanket, holding her head up…something she’d only been trying to do when I first met her.

“She’s growing up,” I murmur, turning to Clay, Kip and Teller seated around me. “I know they say that it happens quickly, but this is insane. She’ll be talking by the time we blink. I don’t want to forget all of these moments.”

Clay leans forward, elbows on his knees, blue eyes warm and thoughtful. “What if we did a photoshoot?”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Teller nods, his dark hair falling across his brow. “Photographs we can look back on and cherish.”

Kip grins, handsome face crinkling. “Hell yeah, I’m in. Piper will be the star of the show.”

As the guys enthuse about props and poses, a thought occurs to me. “As long as we include Shadow…he’s a part of the family too.”

Smiles light up their faces at the suggestion. Our loyal dog has been by our side through so much. Of course, he belongs in this milestone.

“I know a photographer in town who specializes in family portraits,” Teller offers. “She has a real knack for capturing candid, natural shots. I think she’d be perfect for what we have in mind.”

“Sounds great, let’s reach out to her.” Clay’s tone is decisive, taking charge as he so often does. “If we can align schedules, maybe we could do this next weekend?”

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