Page 30 of Panther's Magpie
I leave her with her thoughts as I finish breakfast, the mood now somber. When I slide onto the stool next to her, opting to eat at the large kitchen island, I reach out and squeeze her hand.
“We all have our own demons. It doesn’t make her love you any less.”
She smiles at me, letting her head rest on my shoulder. “She doesn’t love you any less either.”
Then we eat in the comfortable silence, both thinking about the girl who ties us together.
CHAPTER
EIGHT
MAGGIE
With a blanket wrapped around me and a cup of coffee in my hand, I stare out at the driveway. I have a book in my lap that one of the guys was nice enough to bring me that they got from their sister or wife, I’m not quite sure, but I haven’t mustered up the energy to open it yet.
Last night I slept like shit. For once it had nothing to do with Aspen and everything to do with the fact I couldn’t get comfortable. Then when I finally got some sleep, it was filled with weird dreams that I don’t remember.
I bring the cup up to my lips and take a sip. I sigh as the taste hits my tongue and warmth fills me. I’ll give the guys credit for one thing: they know their coffee. I don’t know why, but I fully expected it to taste like the shit you get at a gas station that tastes like sludge, but I was wrong. They take their coffee game seriously, and I appreciate it.
I’m grateful Panther lifted his outside ban on me. Ever since we took that ride together, he has been letting me roam more and more. Now I’m allowed outside by myself, but I can’t gointo the woods where they wouldn’t be able to see me. I find it endearing the way he tries to protect me.
“Hey Maggie, Panther wants to see you in his office,” Hawk says as he walks out of the clubhouse.
“Did he say if everything was fine?” I ask as I stand.
Hawk shrugs as he gets onto his bike. “Didn’t ask, he just asked me to send you in.”
“Okay, thanks. Have a good day at work.”
He dips his chin and turns on his bike. Shaking my head, I head inside. Some guys are hanging out and talking. A couple of them say good morning as I pass by. When I reach Panther’s office, I raise my hand to knock but pause.
Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath to compose myself.
I don’t know what he has planned, but if he’s calling me into his office instead of seeking me out, it has to be important, right?
Licking my lips, I knock.
“Come in,” he says from the other side.
I open the door and pause when I see the woman sitting across from him.
“I can come back if you’re busy,” I tell him softly.
He shakes his head. “Actually, this is someone I want you to meet.”
I step inside and shut the door behind me, then move to sit.
“Hi, I’m Kaia.”
“Hi, I’m Maggie,” I say as I shake her hand.
“Kaia is a local artist who specializes in portraits. I asked her to come by to do a sketch of Asher,” Panther says.
“Oh.”
“Only if you’re up for it,” Kaia quickly adds.
“No, of course I’ll do it. I just don’t know how much help I’ll be,” I tell her as I run my palms over my thighs.
