Page 70 of Claimed By the Biker Brothers

“I should’ve kept my eyes on you instead of stopping for coffee,” he says and exhales sharply.

“Please don’t apologize. You’ve been stuck on guard duty with me for so long, for so many hours in the day,” I reply gently. “And I certainly haven’t been the easiest to work with either. Paulie, it’s okay. Calvin was going to get to me one way or another. You know how persistent and resourceful he can be.”

“Yeah, but here? Again? He’s brazen, shameless.”

“He’s also this close to getting his ass arrested again,” I tell him. “In fact, I can call Sheriff Bentley right now and tell him. You’re a witness; you saw him here.”

He shakes his head. “Let’s not waste the cops’ resources on that asshole. I’m here. Calvin’s not coming anywhere near you again. I’ll be more vigilant.”

“I never questioned your loyalty, just so you know,” I tell him, noticing the shadow of doubt in his eyes. “Don’t mind Calvin. He’s bitter. He’s always had a hard time dealing with rejection. He’s lashing out like an injured animal.”

“I would never betray a blood brother, Robyn, never.”

“Paulie, I believe you.”

He nods slowly. “Okay. Go inside. I’ve got you covered.”

I walk into the salon with the brightest smile I can muster and greet Rita. On the inside, however, I’m a hot mess. There’s a bout of morning sickness working its way up my throat. Calvin’s visit has made everything so much worse. His warning only served to deepen some doubts I’ve been harboring for a while.

The Riders and I promised each other we’d stick together through thick and thin. We have love and freedom on our side. But on the enemy’s side, there is malice. There are machinations and hidden agendas.

What if their side wins? Where do I stand? What will happen to Kyra and me if by some unfortunate twist of fate the DEA and Marlo get what they want?

“Hey, honey,” Rita says as I take a seat at my workstation. “Are you okay? You’re looking kinda pale.”

“Yeah, just tired.”

Tired of feeling tired.

Tired of the uncertainty, of constantly fighting against the current.

22

Diesel

“We’re flying blind here,” I tell Knox.

We pull up outside a warehouse on the south side of Redwood, deep in the industrial area. Five years ago, this place was dead and downright dilapidated. Gangs used to hang out here. Looking at it now, I’m pleased to see trucks coming in and out of the main building—things have changed around here since we bought the property for our transport business.

“What do you mean?” Knox asks.

Jagger gets off his bike first, removing his helmet and gloves as he cautiously looks around. I notice his attention stuck on a dark SUV parked a couple of blocks back.

“What is it, Jag? A tail?”

“Yeah.”

“Do we have any idea who it is?” I ask.

Jagger gives me a quick glance. “It’s probably Spalding or one of his agents. That doesn’t look like a dealer’s whip; it looks government issued.”

“We’re doing recon on the Hughes family. We don’t want the DEA following us and drawing unwise conclusions.”

I nod once. “So we lose the tail.”

“Otherwise, we might as well hang out here for the rest of the day.”

“Roger that. Let’s go around the back then. There’s a service road we can slip through.”

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