Page 85 of Riding the Edge

“No,” Maria replies, shaking her head. “I don’t want to inconvenience any of you. You both have families and my grandbabies come first.”

“Ma, don’t even start with that shit,” Anthony growls. “You’re our mother. If you think for one second, we’re not going to be here for you when you need us, then you don’t know how well you raised us.”

“Anthony’s right,” Lauren declares. “Whatever you need, we’re here.”

Maria’s body shudders with a silent sob and she bows her head.

“I’m going to be fine,” she whispers through her tears.

“Yeah, you are,” Riggs says. “You’re the toughest broad I know.”

“Riggs,” Lauren mutters.

“What? She is,” he defends. Turning to Maria, he pulls his sunglasses from his face and stares her in the eyes. “I mean it, Mama Leone. Cancer ain’t got a thing on you,” he says, pounding his fist to his chest.

As eccentric as he is, there are times when he gives you a glimpse of his heart and right there, he wore his on his sleeve.

“Wolf?” Lauren calls.

“Yeah, sweetheart,” I answer, giving her my attention.

“Thank you for taking care of our mother.”

Been thanked for a lot of things in my life and never did someone’s gratitude mean as much to me as the blue-eyed girl sitting across from me.

“No thanks required,” I say hoarsely.

“So, does this mean the cat is out of the bag?” Riggs questions, pointing a finger between me and Maria. “You two are a thing?”

Maria and I look at one another and I give her a wink.

“You and me, Lady,” I remind her.

Leather and silk.

Meeting somewhere in the middle.

“Yes,” she answers, turning to Riggs. “If that’s what you’re calling it these days, then, yes, we’re a thing,” she confirms, lifting our joined hands. “Al’s been very supportive since I told him,” she adds, glancing at her son. “I don’t know if I could’ve handled today without him.”

Anthony looks at me and I motion towards the front door.

“Why don’t you and I step outside for a moment?”

“That’s not necessary,” Maria argues.

“I think it is, Lady,” I say, keeping my eyes on Anthony.

Placing his hands on his knees, he pushes himself off the loveseat and nods in agreement. With a reassuring kiss to her forehead, I follow his lead and we make our way outside. As I pull the door closed behind me, I watch Anthony cross his arms against his chest and stare at me.

“For God’s sake, Wolf, my mother?” he grinds out.

“Yeah,” I reply. “Your mother. Look, I know what she means to you…what she means to all of you. I think you know me well enough to know when I give my word, I give my soul. I’m not going to hurt your mother, Anthony. I know her worth and I know what she deserves, and I promise you, I’ll take care of her.”

“She doesn’t like when people take care of her,” he snaps.

“Well, she doesn’t have to like it. She has to accept it and once she does she’ll get used to it. She’ll realize she’s not alone.”

“Because she, has you?”

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