Page 28 of Swan

“I’ll let you know if things need to change.”

Ronald took a step. “Lockland, you must do the concerts. So many have spent money on?—”

“I’ll be doing them. I wouldn’t let my fans miss out. I’ll speak to one of you tomorrow. Please leave.”

Alisa huffed. “But?—”

“Please leave,” he said again in a sharper tone. “But before you go, I don’t want either of you to speak to Swan. She’s off limits. If you want to talk to her, you run it by me, and I’ll pass on the message. If you see her on her own in a room, you walk away.”

“Lockland—”

“Do you understand me?”

They both nodded.

“Good. Off you go.”

I could see them fuming underneath their tight smiles. Of course, I received a look of pure hatred before they turned and walked out of the room, closing the door after them.

“Lockland—”

“If you’re going to say I was too hard and that you don’t want to come between this, I’m going to tell you that you mean more to me than anything and anyone in the world. I won’t have them disrespecting you. I’m sure they said something vile to you before I got out here, and you don’t deserve that or any type of bad treatment. Especially if you’re willing to take a chance on me.”

Oh my God.

How could I not fall for him all over again after all that?

“Okay,” I whispered.

His smile was big, and then he winked. “Nearly done.”

I’d wait forever for him.

CHAPTER SEVEN

We’d been headed back to my place when my phone chimed. I read the text, and my stomach rolled.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah, Mum suggested we go to the compound. They’re having an early barbeque dinner.” I could not subject him to the club. “I’ll make an excuse.”

“No, let’s go.”

I swung my gaze to him. “You want to go?”

“Sure.” He smiled over at me. He called his guards and told them what we were doing. They were to hang back outside the compound.

But I wasn’t really sure Lockland knew what he would be walking into.

After he hung up, I told him, “We’re talking about the Hawks Motorcycle Club. My father and all his brothers will be there.”

“I know.”

“Lockland, there’s a chance you’ll be interrogated by any of the brothers you come in contact with.”

He chuckled. “I figured. But they’re your people. Your family.” He reached over and picked up my hand to hold in his on his thigh. “They need to get used to seeing me in your life, Swanny.”

My belly fluttered. “Lockland,” I whispered, choked with emotions.

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