Page 89 of Nanny for the Bikers

My voice rises with each word, the frustration spilling over like a boiling pot. I glance at Ayla, desperate for some kind of support or validation. “And now she thinks she can just waltz back into Piper’s life like it’s no big deal? Like she has any right to be a part of it?”

Ayla meets my gaze, her green eyes filled with understanding. “I know it’s a lot to process, Kip,” she says gently, her voice soothing despite the chaos swirling inside me. “But we need to focus on what’s best for Piper right now. Getting angry isn’t going to solve anything.”

I let out a heavy sigh, knowing she’s right but struggling to let go of the resentment that’s taken root in my chest. “That woman isn’t good enough for Piper, I know that…”

Ayla puts a hand on my arm. “You’ll figure it out. You always do.”

I nod, taking a deep breath and forcing myself to focus on the road ahead. The anger still simmers beneath the surface, but Ayla’s calm demeanor helps.

I clear my throat, my gaze darting between Clay and Teller as Ayla and I reenter Jamie’s hospital room. “Hey, can I talk to you guys for a sec?” My voice is low, a stark contrast to the beeping machines surrounding Jamie.

Clay’s brow furrows, his dark eyes searching mine. “Everything okay, Kip?”

I gesture towards the hallway, trying to keep my expression neutral. “Just need a quick word.”

Teller nods, his lean frame unfolding from the chair beside Jamie’s bed, handing Piper to Ayla’s waiting arms. “Lead the way.”

As we step into the sterile corridor, the fluorescent lights cast harsh shadows across our faces. I take a deep breath, bracing myself for their reactions.

“You won’t believe who just showed up,” I begin, my voice barely above a whisper. The words feel heavy on my tongue, weighed down by the implications.

Clay crosses his arms, his broad shoulders tensing. “Who?” His tone is wary, as if he can sense the impending storm.

I meet their gazes, steeling myself. “Sydney.”

The silence that follows is deafening. I watch as a myriad of emotions flicker across their faces—disbelief, anger, confusion.

Clay’s jaw clenches, his eyes narrowing. “What the hell does she want?” His voice is a low growl, the protective instinct radiating from him in waves.

I shake my head, running a hand through my hair. “She claims she just wanted to talk…I barely gave her the time of day.”

Teller’s usually calm demeanor cracks, a flash of fury in his eyes. “Good. She doesn’t deserve anything from us.” His words are sharp, cutting through the tense air. “Not after leaving Piper at our door and running off.”

I nod, my own anger simmering beneath the surface. “I got her number, so we could talk to her.” The memory of Sydney’s pleading eyes makes my stomach churn.

Clay’s hands ball into fists at his sides. “I don’t want to talk to her.” His voice is a low rumble, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air.

Teller runs a hand over his face, his expression pained. “This is going to be a mess,” he mutters, his voice tinged with exhaustion.

I let out a humorless chuckle. “When is it not with us?” The attempt at levity falls flat, the gravity of the situation too heavy to ignore.

“She lost her rights when she left Piper,” Clay points out.

“But she is still Piper’s mother,” Teller comments.

We fall quiet.

I run a hand through my hair, my mind racing with the possibilities of what Sydney’s sudden appearance could mean for our carefully constructed world. “I don’t want to keep Piper from her mother,” I admit, the words feeling heavy on my tongue. “But I also don’t trust Sydney.”

Whether I trust her or not…I doubt it’ll be so easy to get her off our backs.

47

AYLA

“Call me if you need absolutely anything, okay?” I add, my tone softening with sincerity as I meet Jamie’s eyes. Dropping her off feels weird when I, practically, haven’t left her side for the last forty-eight hours while she’s been in the hospital with Thomas.

She chuckles weakly, amusement flickering across her face. “You sound like my mom.”

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