Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 49530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
“I’ll let the club know they don’t need to be on high alert,” Kade stated firmly.
“I owe you guys for protecting my Little girl,” Talon said.
“She’s yours. That makes her one of ours,” Storm commented.
“I’m just waiting for her to sue you for being a smart ass,” Rock said with an almost straight face.
“Thank goodness, she likes me better than you bastards,” Talon rebutted. “It must be my dance moves.”
When the laughter died out at Talon’s spontaneous chair dancing, Steele said, “We do have another issue we need to discuss.”
All eyes focused on Steele as he referred to the paperwork in front of him. “Atlas and Talon have reviewed the accounts. The club’s funds are still low after Silver but rebounding.”
Steele paused as names were offered to describe their former treasurer. None of them were flattering.
“Old pebble balls?” Talon suggested, leaning in to enjoy the fun.
“Continuing,” Steele drew them back together. “We are above water now. The repair shop is running at capacity. We may need more bays to deal with all the weekend riders.”
“And more Guardians?” Atlas suggested.
“Yes. Just because a guy is good with a wrench doesn’t get them into the Shadowridge Guardians,” Kade pointed out.
“We’ve had more women bringing bikes in. Maybe we need a lady on staff,” Doc suggested.
“That’s not a bad idea,” Steele agreed. “Let’s start advertising for staff. Who knows what will straggle in? What do you think of the prospects?”
Talon sat back and listened to the discussion of their current prospects and who might have earned their way into the Guardians. The discussion was brutal and intense. No one wanted the wrong guy to make it into the MC. They’d already seen what happened when someone went rogue.
“Ink has my vote,” he tossed into the conversation.
“Agreed. What do you think of the others?” Kade asked, looking around the room. “I have a few more who’ve asked about being part of the club.”
Curled up on the couch with a big bowl of popcorn, Elizabeth tried to wrap her mind around the idea that the problem with the Jesters was settled. Only now did she realize how much stress she’d carried around as she had looked over her shoulder constantly. Trying to balance work, her new relationship with Talon, and a threat to her personal safety had swamped her emotions.
A tear ran down her face and was quickly followed by another. She wiped them away, trying not to disturb anyone else, but once the torrent started, Elizabeth couldn’t stop. A heart-deep sob tore from her mouth, drawing attention.
“Elizabeth? Are you okay?” Remi asked.
“I’m… I’m fine.” She finally pushed the words past her lips. Feeling her nose start to run, Elizabeth panicked and tried to sit up to find her napkin.
In a flurry of puffy whiteness, popcorn flew all over Elizabeth, the couch, and the floor. With her nose running, popcorn everywhere, and tears pouring from her eyes, she slumped against the back of the couch in utter despair. Ivy handed her a tissue before scooping the popcorn off the couch onto the floor to make a spot for herself. She wrapped her arms around Elizabeth’s heaving shoulders.
“Go get Talon. She needs her Daddy,” Ivy urged the others.
Harper flew across the room.
“Buttercup?” Talon knelt in front of her a few seconds later.
She launched herself forward to press as close as possible to her Daddy as he pulled her tight. Elizabeth knew Ivy would understand her need to be near Talon. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she clung to him as tears continued to pour down her cheeks.
“Little girl, you’re scaring me. Are you hurt?” Talon asked urgently as his hands searched over her body.
“I just can’t… can’t stop… crying.” She tried to explain but was having trouble getting the words out of her mouth.
Using the bottom of his worn-soft, cotton shirt, he wiped off her face. “Oh, baby. Maybe we should have Doc check you over tonight,” he suggested.
Elizabeth could see the concern etched on his face. She tried to pull herself together but just couldn’t. “Nooo!” she wailed.
She felt a cool hand on her forehead and looked to see Doc next to them. Her arms tightened around her Daddy. Elizabeth wasn’t letting him go.
Doc quietly took her pulse. “You are so upset, Little girl. Did everything just become too much?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Is she okay?” Talon asked, rocking her in his arms.
“She’s just where she needs to be. A bit of Daddy time and Elizabeth will be ready to take on anything,” Doc assured them both.
“I’d like that, too,” Talon said, brushing the hair from her face. “Come on, Little girl. I need you to myself.”
Standing, he scooped her off the couch and carried her through the crowd that had gathered, scattering popcorn like rose petals in their wake. Elizabeth peeked away from his shoulder to see the big, tough bikers, who had defended her without a second’s hesitation, watching with worried expressions. She should have been embarrassed but wasn’t.