Page 90 of Mensa's Match

“Engrossed?” Celeste asked.

I nodded once. “Sorry, that’s the term the evaluator used. I was taking my work home with me, so to speak.”

Dean narrowed an eye at me. “You mean, mentally.”

“Yes,” I said.

All the nerves I fought off earlier kept me from considering what his parents would say about my sudden change of careers. The room had gone eerily silent.

Celeste’s eyes, so similar to Mensa’s, darted between the two of us during the ensuing silence. “I have never seen him like this.”

I looked at Dean, but quickly realized she was referring to Mensa. I turned to him and I fought rearing my head back at his fierce scowl.

“You should have seen them at Bayou Moon,” Riley muttered.

“Or anytime she came to Twisted when he didn’t want her there,” Finn chimed in.

I shot him a dry look. “I don’t think that’s what she’s referring to.”

Riley grinned at me. “Oh yeah, it is.”

Celeste pressed her lips together for a moment before her eyes widened. “Speaking of Twisted Talons, have you done anything to protect yourself against another shooting?”

Mensa sighed, but Finn spoke.

“Not much we can do unless we all wear Kevlar, and that ain’t happening. That shit gets hot fast.” Finn’s body jerked ever so slightly, and I guessed Riley gave him a kick under the table. “Sorry, that stuff.”

I chuckled silently.

“What’s so funny?” Dean asked.

I looked up, wondering if I’d put my foot in it. Maybe Mensa’s parents were more strait-laced than I thought. Well, if I’d made a bad impression, this would only seal the deal.

“I’m sorry. It’s just that your son is a member of a motorcycle club. It’s surprising that Riley expects Finn to keep his conversation profanity-free.”

Celeste speared a chunk of pot roast. “There’s no way to keep people from carrying guns into that bar?”

“Not really, Ma,” Mensa muttered.

She gave a short shake of her head.

“I’m more concerned about the Corrupt Chrome member who chased the two of you,” Finn muttered.

I squeezed Mensa’s leg to keep him from telling Finn we knew who chased us. Even if Mensa’s parents weren’t going to tell anyone about Wyatt, I wanted to do everything I could to protect his undercover status.

Celeste aimed wide eyes at Mensa. “Chased? What’s he talking about?”

“Sorry, man,” Finn muttered.

“It’s fine,” Mensa said. “You don’t need to worry, Ma.”

Celeste’s head tilt conveyed serious attitude. “Oh, I don’t, do I? If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you ten thousand times, I will never stop worrying about you. Especially since you continue to ride a motorcycle and all these other people are in their carswhile texting, and you tell me not to worry.”

Mensa sat back in his seat, and I wondered if he was going to walk out the door. “Ma, we were chased, I lost them. Everything is fine.”

Celeste raised an eyebrow. “Wewere chased? Who’s we?” She tipped her head toward me. “Did you have her on your bike?”

Mensa nodded, but from the energy coming off him, he was struggling to keep his temper in check.

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