Page 42 of Panther's Magpie
“Yes, join us, Maggie,” Meek tells her.
I feel my brothers’ stares but ignore them. It’s not normal for us to invite a woman onto the back of our bikes if they don’t mean something to us. Typically, the women who ride with usare our old ladies, sisters, or daughters. Nothing more, nothing less. By allowing Maggie to ride with us, I’m pretty much putting a target on her back, making it known she’s important to me.
I don’t know when it happened, but she is more than Aspen’s friend. The girl means more to me than I’d like to admit, but I’m sick of fighting it. I just don’t know if she feels the same way.
“Here, I got my daughter’s leathers in my bag. She was supposed to come today, but she canceled,” Steel, one of the old-timers, says.
“Thank you,” Maggie says.
He gets off his bike and riffles through his saddlebags for a minute before handing them over.
“They might be a little big, but they are better than nothing. If you’re going to ride often, Pres should get you your own set.”
He gives me a pointed look. Yeah, she isn’t prepared because I wasn’t planning to ask her on this ride. He’s telling me to get my shit together. If it were any other brother, I would be pissed, but he’s an old-timer. He means well, so I let it slide.
“I’ll take that under advisement, Steel,” I say as she takes them and puts them on.
I have to bite back a groan as I look at her. Goddamn, does she look good in leather. Even if it is a size or two too big.
I grab the helmet she wore previously from my saddlebag and help her put it on. After I’ve buckled mine, I get on my bike. Once I’m in position, I help her get on behind me. It takes everything in me not to smile when she doesn’t try to create space between us.
Nah, my Magpie instantly scoots as close to me as possible, her thighs pressing tight against my hips.
Goddamn, if she was in front of me just like this…
The sound of bikes being turned on pulls me from my dirty thoughts.
“Ready?” I holler.
The boys rev, and we take off. Eagle rides next to me on my right side. As we pass by the crowd that’s gathered around to watch us take off, I make eye contact with Ava. Fury all over her face.
I might have downplayed the shit with Ava to Maggie, but it’s for the best. She’s worried about enough shit right now as it is. She doesn’t need to worry about a crazy bitch that I used to stick my dick into from time to time when the urge hit. Deep in my gut, though, I know this isn’t the end.
By Maggie crawling onto the back of my bike, she put herself in Ava’s crosshairs. She’s going to start some shit, I just know it. Just another thing to add to my already full plate of things to watch out for.
Maggie pulls me out of my thoughts as she laughs, squeezing onto my sides. I can’t help but smile. She fucking loves this, just as much as I do.
With one hand, I let go of the handlebars and place my hand on her thigh, where it stays the rest of the ride.
Being out here with my boys, on the open road, with this gorgeous woman behind me feels right. I’ll do whatever I can to make sure this feeling lasts.
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
MAGGIE
“Hey girl. I came to check on you. How are these guys treating you?” Rain asks as she walks through the front door of the clubhouse.
The guys went into the place they call church about fifteen minutes ago. I have to admit, I was getting bored waiting for them to come out. You know everyone always says they wish they could stay home and do nothing all day, but from my experience, it is boring as hell.
I need a purpose. I know this will all go away once we find Aspen, but until then, I need something to keep me going. Something to distract me.
“They treat me just fine. What are you doing here?” I ask.
She smiles. “That run the guys just did? It was for charity. I’m here to help plan the next one. A couple of the old ladies will be here soon.”
I frown. “Old ladies?”
