Page 13 of Riding Dirty

“Was Piper acting weird, or is it me?” Levi kneads his palms together as he watches Romeo drive away with what I’d guess is a four-thousand-dollar trailer.

I shrug, struggling to withhold what I know, which isn’t much. “Not sure, man. You should talk to her.”

“You don’t think he did anything to her, do you?”

I shake my head and cross my arms over my chest. “No clue. Don’t know the guy.” I land my hand on his shoulder. “Look, I’m sure Piper will tell you everything tonight after things have calmed down. I’m going to head back to the house. I’ll send her back with my truck. I’ve got an oil change planned for the morning, anyway.”

He nods, and though I suck at reading expressions, I can tell Levi doesn’t look pleased.

I don’t want to invite him over tonight. I want the night alone with Millie, but I can’t leave him hanging. “Why don’t the three of you come over for dinner? You, Piper, and Angie. I’ve got some steaks in the fridge and—”

“Thanks, man. Appreciate it, but Angie is going to want time alone with her daughter to figure all this out.”

I try not to show my relief.

“If you change your mind, let me know.” I turn toward my bike and start up the engine, desperate to get back to Millie. The thought of her in danger today tore at my insides and holding her in my arms is like a lazy Sunday morning. Every time she lands there, it’s as though that’s where she’s supposed to be, and I can’t get enough. It’s simple, easy, and perfect. Now, I have to figure out how to get her to stay.

Figuratively, that should be easy. We’ve solved a lot of her problems. Her brother is out of her hair, the looming threat of a shitty car filled with drugs is gone, and I’m pretty sure the way she looks at me is the same way I’m looking at her… which changes everything.

That said, she did have plans for San Diego. I need to find out why.

When I pull into the driveway of the cabin, I see the girls sitting at the kitchen table through the front window. Millie has put on tea and they’re sipping from moose shaped mugs, deep in conversation. I feel bad interrupting, but I need to hold Millie in my arms and Piper needs to go talk to her father before he loses his mind.

“Hey.” I open the front door and kick off my boots.

Millie stands from the table and rushes to my arms, filling me up with all the emotion I’ve been thinking about all day.

Fuck, I can’t wait to get her alone.

“I know you were only gone for an hour,” she whispers, “but it felt like forever.”

I don’t think I’ve been missed a day in my life. It’s nice. “How was the hike?”

She glances toward Piper. “Good. A little complicated but I think we’re working through some things.”

I nod. “Your dad wants to see you.” I toss Piper the keys to my truck. “I was going to drop it off for an oil change, anyway.”

She sighs and stands from the chair, twisting her ponytail into a knot between her fingers. “What did he say?”

“Nothing much. He’s worried about you.”

“But he doesn’t suspect Romeo and I are…”

“No. I don’t think so, but you should tell him. If he finds out on his own, it’s going to be that much worse.”

She laughs. “Yeah. I don’t know the last time you called your dad and told him you were dating a much older man from a rival gang, but… I can’t imagine that goes down well.”

“Are you dating?”

“Not officially, but we’ve seen each other a few times.” She sighs. “I can’t stop thinking about him. I’ve tried. Really, I have.” She sighs and tears stream down her face. “It’s like the more I try not to think of him, the more I do. His arms, his voice, the way he makes sense of me.” She tips her forehead against the cabin wall. “What am I going to do?”

Millie lands her hand on Piper’s back and stares toward me with a pouted lip before mouthing,‘I don’t know how to help her.’

Trouble is, I don’t either, and the less I know, the better. Levi and I are good friends. I don’t want to be holding shit back from him, especially something as serious as this. Romeo didn’t seem like the rest of the Death Rangers, but that doesn’t mean shit. For a moment, even the Devil can seem kind.

“You should tell your dad what’s going on, Piper.” I let out a heavy breath. “The Death Rangers aren’t like Rugged Mountain MC. They’re animals with no hesitation. You could find yourself in some serious danger if you’re not careful.”

She huffs out a sigh and twists toward me, wiping tears from her face. “And that’s how my father’s going to react. He doesn’t get it. No one does! Romeo isn’t like those guys. He wants out! He wants a different life. I can’t stop what I feel for him, Gunner! I’ve tried.”

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