Page 22 of Silver Spoon MC Collection: Loni's Crew

I decided to take things slow and force Landon to prove this isn’t some casual fling to him. After growing up in a dysfunctional family with crazy parents, I always swore I’d avoid love and marriage. Then I watched my twin fall for Cash Montoya. The biker treats her like a queen, and I got the opportunity to see a real, loving relationship. I started to believe that my soulmate was out there. My heart squeezed when I met Landon and I thought he might be my future. Only he pulled a fast one on me.

He worked me up at the wedding and got my hopes up, then nothing. I mean zilch. The big jerk hasn’t even tried to make contact with me. Several times, I’ve been tempted to ask my twin about her husband’s friend, but I refused to turn into a needy stalker. I won’t be that woman, the one who chases a man. If the asshole wants to play games, I’m out. Cowboy can find someone else to torture. Too bad my dumb body hasn’t gotten the memo. When I close my eyes, I can still feel his strong arms wrapped around me.

Mrs. Lancaster presses a bag of ice against the lump on my forehead, bringing me back to the present. I wince and fight another wave of nausea as the coldness numbs my temple. What a screwed-up mess. It was a normal busy day until two strung-out assholes came in looking for Hadley. The not-too-bright creeps assumed I was my twin, and there was no way I’d tell them any different. Luckily, our regular customer, Mrs. Lancaster, came in and interrupted them. I probably would’ve ended up with more than a bump on the head and bruised ribs.

Sheriff Armstrong and his deputy took my statement while the paramedics checked me over. When I refused to go to the hospital, the sheriff stepped out to call someone. He came back and told me one of the Silver Spoon brothers is on his way. Please, let it be anyone except Landon.

The bells over the door ring, and I turn to see my prayers weren’t answered. The big jerk bursts into the shop and rushes past the sheriff and deputy. “Are you okay?” He steps between me and Mrs. Lancaster. Rude much? His warm, masculine scent curls around me, and my mind shuts down.

“Couldn’t they find someone else to send here?” I pull back to glare at him, hoping he doesn’t realize how much he affects me.

“What?” Confusion and hurt enter his bright blue eyes.

“I’m sure you have better things to do besides dealing with my problems.” Frustration and exhaustion give my words a super bitchy tone.

“Nothing is more important than you.” He runs his hand through his thick brown hair, and I notice the new lines of strain on his handsome face. “Look.” He glances over my shoulder at Mrs. Lancaster and smiles. “I’ve got it from here. Thanks for staying with her.”

She raises a gray eyebrow and shakes her head. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” she mutters half under her breath. Without thinking, I bite my sore, swollen lip to hold in my smirk. “This girl is going to give you a run for your money.” I realize Sheriff Armstrong and his deputy are watching the show.

Oh well, nothing stays secret in a small town anyway. I’d just as soon give them the scoop. “Why did you come?” Straightening to my full five-foot-two height, I challenge the much taller biker.

His blue eyes narrow before he turns and barks to the other men, “Get out.” When he looks over at Mrs. Lancaster, he softens his tone. “Thank you for taking care of Kyra, but I have it from here.” To my utter shock, the retired schoolteacher doesn’t argue. I watch in dismay as the two lawmen and Mrs. Lancaster leave the shop.

Landon ignores me and walks over to lock the front door. When he turns back to me, I see determination written across his handsome face. “What do you need to grab before I take you to the ranch?” Oh no, buddy. I’m not going to let you off that easy.

I open my mouth to argue, but he walks up and places his finger gently against my lips. “Listen.” He wraps his massive hands around my face and forces me to look into his intense eyes. “I’ve had the month from goddamn hell missing you. My uncle died, my club is getting fucked up the ass, and now you’ve been hurt.” He lays his forehead against mine. “My patience and control are at all-time lows, so please don’t argue with me. Once I’ve gotten a few hours’ sleep, and we’ve had time to talk, you can go back to giving me hell. Deal?”

I nod my head in agreement, too overwhelmed to think of a response. Landon turns off the lights while I grab my purse and laptop. After I switch on the alarm, he takes my hand and leads me out the back door. I don’t argue when he tells me to head up to my apartment and pack a bag. To be honest, I didn’t look forward to staying alone tonight. His incessant pacing runs me up a wall, but I ignore the agitated biker and throw a few things in a suitcase, figuring he’s taking me to my sister’s house. Hadley will let me borrow anything I’m missing. Landon grabs my bag before wrapping his huge palm around my elbow. As we silently walk down the stairs, I allow his closeness to soothe me.

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

KYRA

My heart stops when I see two bulking men standing next to his truck, but Landon calls to one of them. “Thank you for getting here so fast.”

“No problem.” The larger of the two answers. “Giant is working on arranging round-the-clock security.”

Landon nods his head before opening the passenger door for me. I stare out the window attempting to ignore him, but the raised hairs on my arm tell me he’s watching me closely.

“Where are we going?” I ask when he drives past the turn for Cash’s apartment.

“I already told you. I’m taking you to the ranch.” His knuckles turn white as he grips the steering wheel. “Beautiful, frustrating, pain in my ass,” Landon grumbles under his breath.

“I want to go to my sister’s house.” No use fighting his opinion of me.

“Look.” He pulls over on the side of the road, and I notice a black SUV park behind us. “Stop being so obstinate. Hadley is recovering from her accident, and Cash is trying to protect her.”

I forget all about the other vehicle as I argue with him. “So, you’re taking care of me for Cash and Hadley.”

“Fuck a duck, you like to be difficult.” He turns to me with narrowed eyes. “No. I’m here because you’re the most important thing to me, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. Now, shut your beautiful mouth and let me drive. We can have a knock-down, drag-out once we’re home.” He pulls onto the deserted road heading out of town.

“Okay,” I agree as the fight bleeds out of me. Glancing in the side mirror, I watch the SUV stay on our tail. “There’s someone following us.”

“That’s the bodyguards I hired.” Holy shit. Bodyguards?

He turns off the main road onto a tree-lined driveway. A huge white, two-story home comes into view, and I realize Landon is wealthier than I’d thought. “Nice house.”

“Thank you.” He pulls past the circular drive and parks in front of the steps leading to the wraparound porch. He turns to me and runs his fingers gently around the bump on the side of my temple. “Can we call a truce long enough to talk? Please?”

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