Page 12 of Claimed By the Biker Brothers

“Kyra, huh?”

I nod, then smile sadly. “Samson, we live in the same town. How did this happen?”

He takes a deep breath and throws an arm around my shoulders, turning us both to face the bar. “It happened because you got out of the life, honey,” he says. “Like you were supposed to, after everything that went down.”

“Yeah, but still—”

“There’s nothing wrong with us being perfect strangers for a few years,” he says. “I know Knox and the boys took care of you. They looked out for you, and you moved on with your life. It’s the natural order of things. But don’t think for a second that I never thought about you or about that bundle of joy of yours. I did. Every damn day.”

I feel it. He means every word, and it tugs at my heart strings. For a long time, Samson was the closest thing I ever had to a father figure. Despite his burly appearance and rough-around-the-edges nature, Samson is a decent man with a strong set of values. In many ways, he’s a better man than most. He’s probably the reason the Rogue Riders were able to pull away from the drug world and rebuild their club into something else entirely.

“I’ve missed you,” I tell him.

“I’ve missed you too. And I guess I’ll have to come around and see Kyra. Jagger says she’s growing up to be quite the heartbreaker. That true?”

“Let’s just say I’ll need to keep a 10-gauge shotgun handy for when she’s a young lady. I also considered digging a moat around the house and filling it up with water.”

“Maybe throw in an alligator or two, just to make sure.”

“That’s not the worst idea,” I say with a laugh.

He chuckles gruffly. “What brings you here, honey?”

“I think we both know.”

“Calvin.”

I nod once, unable to stop a heavy sigh from rolling off my chest. “I didn’t think it would happen so quickly.”

“Just as you were getting used to the good life, huh?”

“As good as it can get for a single mom, I guess. I’ve had Jagger’s, Knox’s, and Diesel’s support, though. In a way, and despite the fact that we haven’t seen each other in a few years, I’m guessing I’ve had your support too, huh?”

He gives me a tentative smile. “Every damn day, honey. Every damn day, I’ve kept you in my thoughts and wished nothing but the best for you and the little one.”

“I’m going to need you to keep us both in your thoughts for a while longer ’cause I’m not sure what’s going to happen next,” I say. “Where are they?”

“Up the stairs, first door on the left; where they’ve always been.”

Samson gives me a gentle pat on the shoulder, and I head to the staircase. I look around again, offering polite nods to those who remember me.

Every step I conquer brings me closer to a conclusion I’ve already come to somewhere in the back of my head. This is just me, putting my thoughts into action. It sounded easy enough when I pulled up outside the clubhouse.

Not anymore. I knock on the door.

“Come in.” Knox’s voice sends shivers down my spine.

My pulse picks up speed as I grasp the doorknob and turn it. The door opens, and I find Knox seated behind his desk, leaning comfortably in his leather swivel chair. Jagger sits in the armchair by the window, the golden glow of a streetlamp casting a soft light across his face. Diesel is on the sofa, pouring himself a double shot of whiskey from a bottle they seem to have been nursing for a while.

And all three look like they could eat me alive.

I wouldn’t object.

“Robyn,” Knox says. He furrows his brow slightly while his blue eyes cut right through me. “Is everything okay?”

“What happened?” Jagger asks, even more worried while Diesel keeps his gaze on me and his lips sealed. “Is Kyra alright?”

“Yes, yes, everything is fine,” I reply with a nervous laugh as I shut the door. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to alarm you by coming here. We’re good. Well, as good as we can be under these circumstances anyway.”

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