Page 25 of Claimed By the Biker Brothers

His body is warm, my thighs resting against his hips. The heat travels through us, spreading across my core as the engine rumbles to life.

“Youdefinitely feel nice,” he says.

“You good, Kyra?” Knox asks my daughter.

“Yes!”

“We’re set, then,” Diesel says and takes off first, his Harley rumbling ferociously as he leads the way.

It’s a beautiful day, made even more beautiful by this unexpected surprise. Just as they promised, we go for a slow ride. I like it because it gives me the time I need to remember what it’s like, out in the open, the wind in my face and rushing through my hair. Kyra loves every second, holding on and giggling incessantly while Knox carefully steers the bike forward.

We ride past our neighbors’ houses with their picket fences and manicured gardens. Some of them recognize me and wave at us. I give them nods of acknowledgment, then glance forward over Jagger’s shoulder. The park rises ahead with its gold leaf trees and greenish-red shrubs. Autumn has come to Redwood, and it looks prettier with each passing day.

“That was amazing!” Kyra exclaims once we’re off the bikes and our helmets are back in Jagger’s top case. “Let’s do it again!”

“We’ll ride back after the park,” Knox tells her, and she takes his hand. “Your mom says you love the duckies. Should we go feed them?”

Diesel takes out a bag of seeds from a case mounted on the side of his motorcycle. “I brought these for you specifically. They say it’s better to feed them seeds and nuts instead of bread.”

“Our teacher said bread makes the duckies’ tummies hurt,” Kyra says, pouting slightly.

“Then I brought the right stuff, huh?” Diesel replies.

“You’re smart.”

Once we reach the duck pond, it’s as if we’re in another world. It’s quiet and peaceful, the sunlight dancing across the water while the ducks gather at the edge. Kyra is with Diesel, each scoops up a handful of seeds that they toss across the grass.

I can’t get enough of my daughter’s cheers and chuckles as she watches the ducklings and their mothers rush to gobble up as much as they can while I sit on a bench next to Knox and Jagger.

“She looks happy,” Jagger remarks.

“She loves it out here,” I say. “It’s one of her favorite places. I love coming here with her.”

Knox looks at me. “Yeah, I can see by your smile.”

“Of course, I’m enjoying today’s company as well,” I reply with a smile.

He plants a quick kiss on my lips. “So am I.”

“Have you seen him?” I ask, the elephant in the room still hovering somewhere behind me.

The guys exchange glances and take a moment to answer.

“We haven’t. Some of the Riders have spotted him here and there, but never for long enough to figure out what he’s up to or if there’s any immediate danger. He seems to be keeping his nose clean, at least for now,” Knox says.

“I don’t want to give you a false sense of security, but it might be a good thing that he hasn’t approached you yet,” Jagger says.

I take a deep breath, Knox’s arm stretched around my shoulders. Instinctively, I lean into him, welcoming the body heat and the sense of safety his embrace gives me.

“I guess,” I mutter. “But it’s unlike him. Calvin promised he’d be back for us. He promised he’d make my life a living hell.”

“He can try,” Knox replies. “But he will fail.”

“We’re here, Robyn. He’s not. That’s all that matters,” Jagger says. He laughs as he watches Diesel playing with Kyra and the ducklings. “I have to admit, I didn’t think I’d ever see this soft side of his.”

“Who, Diesel?” I ask.

He nods once. “I mean, look at him. Kyra has turned him into mush.”

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