Page 42 of Wicked Oath

“I don’t know,” Knox laughs. “He looked a bit twitchy when Rogue grabbed you.”

“She’s right,” Talon says. “I know you respect her enough to not take advantage of her or cause her any harm. Shit… Pretty sure you’d save her life over mine.”

“She’s prettier,” Rogue says with a shrug. “Joking aside, she actually is like a little sister. I care about her a lot, but wouldn’t put my dick in her.”

“That would feel like incest,” Torch says.

“Mmmm. Yeah,” Knox laughs.

“What about you?” Talon asks Viper.

“Mhmm,” Viper says. “Ripper is coming with a truck to get the bike. How do you want to get back?”

“I’d like to stay with the bike, but I want Laney back at the house,” Talon says. “Are you comfortable riding back to the house with Jude?”

“As long as he doesn’t throw me into the grass,” I smile.

“You mean on the bike?” Viper asks.

“Yeah,” Talon answers slowly. “That okay?”

“Mhmm,” Viper says. “Probably shouldn’t chance them coming back anyhow.”

“How long will you be?” I ask Talon.

“Hopefully not long,” he says. “You have my location, so you can keep an eye on me if that makes you feel better. Just please stay with Jude when you get to the house.”

“Afraid the dust bunnies are gonna get me?” I ask with a smile.

“Something like that,” he chuckles and wraps me in a tight hug. When he speaks again, he is nearly inaudible. “Viper panicked a bit when he saw you were on the ground not moving. The guys made him wait for me to give them the signal to get closer, so he’s shaken up. He’s going to crash from that soon.”

“What can I do?” I ask quietly.

“Just be there for him. He wrecked a few years back with his girlfriend and she died in his arms. He’s got a lot going on in his head,” he says. When he pulls back, he kisses me.

“Be safe,” I tell him.

“I will,” he smiles. “Just take a shower and force Jude to sit and watch a movie.”

“Oh, she’s gonna make me watch some dumb rom-com,” Viper frowns.

“Hell yeah,” I laugh. “Come on.”

“Hey,” Talon says as he grabs my hand and pulls me back to him. He cups my face and kisses me again. “I love you, Delaney.”

“I love you too, Talon,” I say with a bright smile. “That’s the first time you’ve said that.”

“Thinking I lost you, even for just a few minutes… hurt. It forced me to realize a lot, and that is centered around just how in love with you I am,” he says.

“See? Not so heartless, huh?” I tease.

“Mhmm. Go on before I bend you over that guardrail,” he chuckles and kisses me again. He takes a second to put my helmet back on me before securing the strap. “Jude?”

“I’ll be careful with her. I promise,” Viper says.

“I know you will,” Talon says. “I was just going to ask for you to stay with her until I get home. She’s going to crash from the adrenaline high. Just comfort her the best you can and let me know if you need me.”

“Alright man. We’ll see you soon,” Viper says.