Page 22 of One Night with the Biker

“Once I dropped Kylie off, I remembered some club business.”

“Are you stopping at my apartment before you head home?”

I hated hearing her fear and sadness. Ainsley was smart. She knew something was up.

Roman swallowed. “Don’t think I can tonight, sweetheart.”

“Is it true about Dayton?”

Sighing, Roman shifted and the chains jingled, but either Ainsley didn’t hear or she ignored the sound. “Yes, I fucked up Dayton, Ainsley. You should’ve told me what that motherfucker did to you. He’s lucky I found out so far from home.”

I straightened, wanting details, but Ainsley’s sob threw me for a loop.

“He’s a city councilman’s son. You’ll go to jail and leave me all alone.”

Roman tipped his head back. “You’re a survivor. You don’t need me.”

“I do! Everyone needs someone. I love you. You’re an overbearing jackass, but I love you so much.”

His grin made him wince and blood seep from the cut. “I love you too, Ainsley. Stop crying. Everything’s going to be fine. Why the fuck are you so emotional? You’ve cried more these last two days than you have at any time except when Mom and Dad were killed.” He deflated and the energy he’d found seemed to leave him. “Let me talk to Nova.”

“She left, and the next time I see that bitch I’m throwing hands, Ro. She punched me because we had a disagreement.”

Roman jerked against his chains. “She didwhat?” he demanded, having much the same reaction as me.

“Where are you, Roman?” Ainsley demanded hoarsely. “Why do I keep hearing chains? And just because Dayton wanted me to practice blowing him for when we’re married doesn’t mean he had to die.”

My growl matched Roman’s.

“That motherfucker did more than that.” He strained against his chains again.

More? What the fuck did he meanmore?

“Oh my god, asshole! Did you torture the information from him? Why would you do that and risk jail?”

Glancing away, I smiled. No matter her mood, Ainsley loved to talk.

“It doesn’t matter, Ainsley. I took care of it.”

“Yeah, well, if Kylie doesn’t shut the fuck up she’s going to get you sent to jail forever.”

“That’s the least of my fucking problems at the moment.”

“Are you in trouble?” she whispered.

He swallowed, glanced away, and dropped his head. “I love you, sweetheart. Always remember that.”

“No, God, no! Let me talk to them,” she said wildly, truly hysterical now. “Please, please, please.”

“Ainsley, sweetheart, listen to me.”

I don’t think I ever saw so much regret on a man’s face. It was the look of someone who knew the end was near and would extinguish life yet to live and loved ones left behind.

Somehow, he calmed her enough to make her hear him. My insides were roiling and my hands were shaking. I almost wished Warrior had taken Roman Mac out himself instead of doing me the favor of bringing him to me to avenge Trinity.

“I have to go, Ainsley.”

He nodded to me to disconnect. The call ended with her screams. I wanted to redial the number, but I wouldn’t, and I couldn’t call her later. Not only had I blocked her, I’d deleted her number before I had a chance to memorize it. Eventually, I would’ve caved, if only to demand answers. I’d thought it best to have no way of contacting her. Ainsley was an entanglement I didn’t fucking need. Now, I regretted my haste. I could always ask Louisiana for her number, but pride would prevent me from doing that.

---