Page 66 of Enforcing the Rules

“Starved.”

I smiled. “I know this cute little corner diner.”

She grinned and corrected me. “Café.”

“Right.”

Half an hour later, we sat in a booth up front that overlooked the street, eating platters of food.

Cora Lee had been surprised to see us walk in and had gone straight to fetch Kate’s mother.

Connie came out from the kitchen and gave us the once over, then folded her arms. “So, you two an item now?” Her eyes went from me to her daughter.

“Yeah, Ma. We are,” Kate replied. “You gonna have a stroke about it?”

“Long as he’s good to you, I’m fine with it. Minute he’s not, him and me are gonna have a problem.”

I couldn’t stop the corner of my mouth from tugging up. “Message received, Mrs. Baker.”

She harrumphed and returned to the kitchen.

Kate rolled her eyes and resumed eating.

“She like that with all your boyfriends?”

Kate grinned. “Are you my boyfriend?”

“I’m your man. Same thing, right?”

“I don’t know. I’m not up on all the rules of the biker life. Am I your ol’ lady?”

“Not officially. That’s a special designation. But if things go well, it might be in your future. You okay with that?”

“I’m not sure what being an ol’ lady entails.”

I put a forkful of food in my mouth and chewed. “I might have to introduce you to one. Let her give you the rundown.”

“Lola?”

“Yeah. She’d be a good one to talk to. Her or Isabella or Evelyn. They’re all pretty sweet. You’ll like them.” I looked out the window and remembered the first time I’d laid eyes on Kate. “Want to ask you something, babe. Need an answer.”

“Okay. About what?”

I lifted a chin to the front door of the café. “That night those two guys were hassling you. What was that about?”

“It’s a long story, and I think I’ve shared enough for one day. Let’s save that story for another.”

“Did a little digging. He’s not a nice guy, Kate.”

“I know.” Her words were spoken softly.

“I want you safe, babe.”

“I have my gun. And now, according to you, I’m not leaving your side.” She was trying to lighten the mood, but it wasn’t a joking subject, and we both understood that.

“You will tell me. Someday.”

“Yes.”

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