Page 21 of Legacy

“Thank you, Reagan,” Jesse says through gritted teeth.

“You’re welcome, Jesse.” Nothing stops the smirk that fights its way to the corner of my mouth.

Not even him immediately turning back down the hall in which he came, retreating to his bedroom, or checking on his daughter. I don’t ask, and it doesn’t matter.

“Oh, this is going to be interesting,” Tempe whispers, leaning closer to Luna.

“Yes, it is.”

I wish they were wrong.

Bikers might not scare me, but this feeling kicking around in my chest at the sight of Jesse…

It’s terrifying.

6

Reagan

“Come in.” Margaret’s voiceis thick and scratchy from sleeping all day.

She lifts her head when I open the door, and I’m relieved by the smile on her face, even if her eyes are dulled with exhaustion.

After Jesse came home an hour ago, he showered and checked on Bea and Margaret. Then he disappeared so I could socialize with Tempe and Luna. Part of me wondered if he minded that I had already forced myself into his life, and now I was having people over at his house. But if he did, he didn’t say anything.

By the time they left, he was still in his room, and Margaret was awake again.

“How are you feeling?” I sit at the edge of the bed.

She’s a fraction of the fierce woman I remember from her last visit to Arizona. Her blue eyes are dimmer than the blazing sapphire I remember. Dark circles draw outthe shadows of her deep wrinkles, but her smile manages to be as bright as ever.

Her thinning, silver hair is tied up in a bun, but pieces fall around her face from rolling around in bed.

“I’ve had better days.” Margaret pulls herself up to sit, propping her back against the headboard. “But I’ve also had worse ones.”

I rest my hand over hers, and they remind me so much of my childhood. After Dad passed away, Grandma and Aunt Margaret would visit more frequently. Almost as if they sensed Mom slipping away in her grief, and they wanted to anchor themselves as a constant for me and Livie.

“I hear you and Jesse got off to a rough start.” A smile cracks in the corner of Margaret’s mouth.

“You meanLegacy…” I roll my eyes.

Her tongue clicks as she shakes her head. “Give him a chance, Reagan. He’s got a good heart once he warms up to you.”

“Maybe he does. But I don’t think it helped that you didn’t warn him I was coming here.”

“He’s protective over Beatrice for good reason.” Margaret shrugs. “I probably should have given him a heads-up, but I knew you could hold your own to convince him. Besides, I figured you’d have a better chance of winning him over. Especially once he saw how much help you can be. And he needs it; no matter how much that boy fights help, he’s got too much on his plate.”

Boy.

I almost laugh because Jesse King is all man. But I suppose Margaret doesn’t see him the same way I do.

“His club seems to keep him busy.” I don’t meet her eyes, trying to sound casual.

Margaret won’t judge, but it doesn’t stop me from judging myself for being so curious about him when he clearly wants nothing to do with me.

“Yes, they do.” Margaret rubs the back of my hand. “Between the club and his daughter, Jesse’s got a whole heap of responsibility on his shoulders. But he’d never let them know it. He’s there for his brothers.”

His brothers.

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