Page 33 of Claimed By the Biker Brothers

“Listen, if you want, I can drive Kyra to school,” Ellie says. “I don’t have much else to do for today, except maybe job applications, but there’s plenty of time for that.”

“Are you sure, Ellie? It would certainly help. I’ve got a prissy nine o’clock this morning, and I need to get to the salon earlier to get her nail kit ready,” I say, checking my watch.

“Of course. Go, do your thing; it’s not a problem,” Ellie replies with a warm smile.

Samson gives her a curious look. “You’re Ellie.”

“Yeah…” She sounds a tad apprehensive—until I remember she was never a big fan of motorcycles or bikers in general. “Why?”

“Oh, my gosh, how rude of me. I never introduced you. Ellie, this is Samson, treasurer for the Rogue Riders. Samson, this is Ellie, my good friend and neighbor.”

“I’m also one of the clubhouse managers,” Samson says, giving Ellie a firm handshake while Kyra keeps gazing at the Harley paint job. “Knox mentioned something about you looking for a job?”

Ellie blinks a few times, clearly surprised. “Um, yeah. I’m looking.”

“Well, as it happens, we’ve got an opening at the clubhouse bar. One of our girls is moving out of town, and I’d rather go with someone recommended than put an ad in the paper,” he says. “Would you be willing to come down to the clubhouse later and do an interview with me and the bar manager? You’ll like her. She’s a real crackle.”

“Who’s the bar manager?” I ask, going through my mental records. “Oh, Shay, right? The ginger who kept giving you lip about drinking all the good bourbon.”

Samson grins like the Cheshire Cat. “That’s the one. She was born to whip that place into a better shape.”

“That, I agree with,” I say with a laugh, then look at Ellie. “You’ll love Shay. She’s really cool and fair to everyone on her team.”

“Hold up, I haven’t even gone to the interview yet,” she chuckles lightly.

“You need a job, pronto…”

“You’re right,” she concedes with a sigh. “No, you’re absolutely right. I don’t know why I’m fussing.”

Samson chuckles dryly. “So I’ll see you later at the clubhouse, Ellie. Any time after noon is good for us.” He pauses to look at me. “I’m tailing you today, missy. Come on. You’re going to be late for work.”

“Thank you, sir,” Ellie tells Samson with a shy smile.

“Get the job, then thank me.”

I laugh and give Kyra a hug and a goodbye kiss on the forehead. “I’ll pick you up later, alrighty tighty?”

“Yes, ma’am!” Kyra declares and returns the kiss.

I draw all the love I can from my little girl, then let Ellie take her away, watching as they get into Ellie’s car and drive off. Silence falls between Samson and me for the better part of a minute while I wonder if the nausea I’m suddenly feeling is self-induced or the root of some stomach distress. All this kerfuffle over Calvin’s return may have done a number on my health.

“Are you okay?” Samson asks.

“Yeah. Just got lost in thought for a moment there,” I reply and reset, heading straight for my car. “Ride safe, Samson. I’ll keep you in my rearview mirror.”

“You should ride again, Robyn. It made you happy,” he calls out.

I wave him off, not wanting to respond. But he’s right. I was happy when I was riding my own bike. It wasn’t a Harley—those were ridiculously expensive. They still are, at least for my current budget as a single mother. But my Yamaha DragStar took me to so many wonderful places. Some of my best memories happened on that bike.

Yet another thing I had to give up because of Calvin.

I’m not letting him ruin anything ever again.

10

Jagger

“You’re not going to like this,” Diesel says as he gets off the phone with his buddy in the sheriff’s department. “They don’t have a last known address for Calvin.”

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