Page 50 of Bonita Brynne

“Oh honey, you meaneverythingto him. You’re making more out of the term than it really is. In motorcycle clubs, being a biker’s old lady is an honor. You’re his queen, and to other clubs, his property they’ll respect. They won’t mess with another man’s woman. Unless they have a death wish or are in an enemy club.”

“How do you deal with all the violence?”

“There’s violence everywhere, every day.” She popped her shoulders. “The Knights are good men respected in Minnesota and surrounding states. They don’t go out causing trouble—they eliminate it.”

I flushed the toilet and leaned against the wall. “My life was less complicated before Dorian tried to capture me. I want to go back to when I was blissfully enraptured with Joseph and only had my graduation to worry about.”

“I’m sorry you didn’t get to walk.” The sadness in her voice made my throat tight.

“It’s not your fault. It’s Dorian’s.”

“All I wanted was for you to finish college before I came back from the dead.”

I softly giggled and dried my eyes. “It sounds like something that happens in soap operas. Someone is always coming back from the dead.”

“And they never age.” She laughed while joining me on the floor.

“It’s because they use filters when recording.”

“I don’t understand it. What’s wrong with getting older?”

“Nothing. And you’re not old.” I dabbed my eyes some more. “Why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant?”

“‘Advanced maternal age’ is what they call someone like me. I’ll be forty when the baby is born.” She exhaled and lifted her face to the ceiling. “Damn Dorian. He must’ve found out from the female officer who had arrested me. Raul had been furious with how rough she was and told her I was pregnant.”

“He sure is protective of you.”

“He is. Track is a lot like him.” She held my hand. “We were waiting to share the news until after Raymond was home safe. But also until I reached my second trimester. I miscarried several years ago.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry. Are you feeling okay?”

“Yes. Physically I’m fine. Emotionally, I go back and forth between scared and angry. I want to hurt Dorian for coming after my family.”

“I want to hurt him too.”

“How about you?” She glanced at my belly. “Any concerns about the baby?”

“No, I have morning sickness every day. And intense emotions, as you got to witness earlier.” The more I calmed down, the clearer I became. I hadreallyflipped out in the bar. God, I was embarrassed.

“Your pregnancy hormones haven’t been nice to you.”

“No, they haven’t. When will it end?”

“Not likely until the baby is born. But they may mellow out in the second trimester.”

I blew out a breath. “I can’t wait. So when are you due?”

“The end of February.”

“Our babies will be close in age. I’m due mid-March.” It was a little strange that my mom was pregnant too. As I’d said, she wasn’t old.

I couldn’t imagine how she felt when she found out at seventeen, she was pregnant. I had dozens of questions about her and my father, but the right time hadn’t presented itself.

“I look forward to sharing this time with you, honey.”

“Me too.” I gave her hand a squeeze. “Can I ask you about something?”

“Bonita?” he called from the other side of the bathroom door. I guess it wasn’t the best time to discuss my dad. “Baby, can I come in?”

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