Page 80 of Single Mom's Bikers

“Uncle Zane?” Daisy’s voice carries over the engine. “Are the bad men back?”

My heart stops. “What bad men, sweetheart?”

“The ones Mama used to watch for. Before we came here.”

Fuck.

“No bad men,” I lie smoothly. “Just trying new roads. It’s an adventure, remember?”

But her words echo in my head.The ones Mama used to watch for. Before we came here.

What the hell is Evie running from?

We take the long way home, losing our shadows in careful stages. Rose follows in her car.

“Can we do more adventures?” Violet asks when we finally stop. “That was fun!”

“Course we can.” I help with their helmets, noting how Daisy stays quiet. “Any day you want.”

Rose approaches as the girls head inside. “We need to talk.”

“Those weren’t Death’s Head.”

“No.” Her expression hardens. “Much worse. Get them inside, and lock up. I’ll handle Evie.”

But when we enter the house, Evie’s already there. One look at our faces, and she knows.

“Girls,” she says calmly. “Homework time. I need to speak with your uncles.”

They go, but Daisy pauses. “Mama? Was it the bad men?”

Something breaks in Evie’s expression before she covers it. “No, baby. Everything’s fine. Go help your sister.”

After they’re upstairs, she turns to Rose. “How many?”

“Seven cars. Professional surveillance. They’re?—”

“Don’t.” Evie’s voice cracks. “Not here. Not now.”

“Evie.” I reach for her, but she steps back.

“The girls need dinner. Homework help. Normal things.” Her hands shake slightly. “We’ll talk later.”

Rose looks ready to argue, but Draven touches her arm—he came here after dropping Owen off at his nanny’s place.

“Fine.” Rose heads for the door. “But this isn’t over.”

After she leaves, Evie passes on a smile and calls the girls down. Acts like everything’s fine while helping with math problems and making dinner.

But I notice things now, such as how she positions herself to watch windows. How she flinches at car sounds. How her hand keeps touching that newly bandaged snake tattoo.

“Uncle Zane?” Violet tugs my sleeve. “Will you read stories tonight?”

“Of course, princess.” I pull her close. “Any story you want.”

Across the room, Evie’s eyes meet mine. In them, I see fear, gratitude, and something else. Something that looks like goodbye.

Not happening. Whatever she’s running from, wherever she came from, she’s ours now. All of them are.

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