Page 59 of Smooth Sailing

Hugger looked out the peephole, saw a man, probably in his fifties, dark hair going gray, good-looking, built, hadn’t gone soft in the slightest. With him was a tall blonde woman, also built, just a different way. She looked like she could be on the cover of a magazine, even if she, too, was in her fifties.

Ex-stepmom and sorta-stepdad, once removed, the last hearing Diana was host to a bunch of bikers, he didn’t like it and he was going to do something about it.

Hugger hit the button that slid the bolt out if its anchors and then he opened the door.

The man glowered at him.

The woman stared at him, her mouth dropping open.

The man then stormed in and Hugger allowed it, because he was Diana’s sorta-stepdad, once removed and he was there because he was worried about her.

After the woman strolled in, Hugger made sure the door was closed and bolted, then got into position to see Larry shoot a sizzling look toward Diana, a scowl around the men, but his face softened when he saw Suzette.

“Hey, darlin’,” he said gently.

“Larry,” she whispered.

“How’re you doing, sweetheart?” the woman asked Suzette.

“Okay. How are you?” Suzette answered quietly.

“I’d be better, if Larry wasn’t having a shitfit,” the woman replied.

That caused Suzette to smile, just a little.

“Speaking of…” Larry began. “Diana, a word.”

“Larry, as you can see,”—Diana swung her hand wide to indicate the table, including spent bowls, plates and beers—“we’re good.”

“A word,” Larry gritted.

Expelling an aggrieved breath, Diana stood. “Okay, but first, this is Eight.” She indicated Eightball. “He’s a member of the Resurrection MC, from Denver.”

Eight got up, approached and offered a hand to Larry.

Hugger had to give it to him, Larry only hesitated a beat before he took it.

“And this is Big Petey, he’s hanging with Suzette during the day,” Diana went on. “He’s a member of the Chaos MC, also in Denver.”

More handshaking, the tension started to leave Larry’s frame, Diana went on with the introductions and ended on Hugger.

“Hugger keeps me safe during the day and is sleeping on the couch so we both are through the night,” she finished.

Hugger found Larry’s grip was firm, short, and he stepped away, appearing a little humbled.

“Do we still need a word?” Diana asked.

Larry didn’t answer her.

He looked through the men and said, “No offense.”

“None taken,” Big Petey spoke for them all. “My girl let a bunch of strange men hang at her house after knowin’ them for a few minutes, I’d ream her ass too.”

Larry seemed openly relieved Pete understood.

“Want a beer?” Eight offered.

“He needs seven of them,” the woman said. “And by the way, I’m Nicole, and rest assured, I know Di is an excellent judge of character. Though I’m pretty upset I missed her elote.”

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