Page 93 of One Night with the Biker

“Done. We can’t have a paper trail for obvious reasons, so I trust you like living. Don’t fuck over me and this will be an easy transaction.”

Not answering, he opened the door. “The deal is made, so leave.”

“You got it.”

I wanted Ainsley and I to grab a bite to eat, but she declined, saying Ma Siller promised her a delicious meal and she wouldn’t disappoint her.

As much as I loved Ma Siller, I was sick of her interference, too. Ainsley and I needed to talk before I left. I was in enough shit at the club without insulting Bolt’s ol’ lady. If it came to that, I’d just have to do it. Ainsley was near her second trimester and I was done with the fucking games.

We weren’t chess pieces to be moved around the damn board at everyone else’s beck and call. I didn’t doubt Ma Siller liked Ainsley, but Bolt told me today the grilling she and the girls subjected Ainsley to. He wasn’t sure if Ainsley would mention it, so he wanted to head off the drama.

“Ainsley passed Glinda’s tests with flying colors.”

So fucking what? She shouldn’t have been tested in the first fucking place.

When Ma Siller opened the door and I guided Ainsley into the house, she suggested Ainsley change into something more comfortable.

“No,” I said. “Ainsley and I are going for a spin after dinner. Her jeans are just fine.”

Ma Siller lifted a brow at Ainsley. “Are you up to it?”

“I’m fine. Reese and I need to talk.” She smiled at me so sweetly. “But I’m going to take a quick shower. I won’t be long.”

True to her word, it took her twenty minutes for her to return to the kitchen, smelling like flowers and wearing another pair of jeans and a black long-sleeved T-shirt.

“Is dinner ready? I’m starving,” Ainsley said. She looked between Ma Siller and I. “Now that I’m freshened up, what can I help with, Ma?”

“Nothing, child. Take a load off and sit down. I’ll heat the chicken and rice while we have the pear salad.”

“I love pears!” Ainsley gushed, although I foresaw disaster on the horizon.

Pulling Ainsley’s chair out, I waited until she situated herself at the table before I took my seat. “Have you ever had Ma’s pear salad?”

“Nope, but she’s cooked goulash, stewed chicken and noodles over mashed potatoes, cheesy potatoes, and a snack of shredded turkey with cream of chicken soup served over white bread.” She leaned closer. “Tess brings me a lot of food, but Ma cooks all the time, and I don’t want to insult her.”

“It’s fine, Ainsley,” I told her in low tones. “Eat the food you like the best.”

“So far, I’ve liked it all.”

She smiled at me and my heart melted. Her trust in me had been shaky at best. After Ma Siller told her what I said, it was probably non-existent. I wouldn’t have a lot of time with her because I still had a lot to do, but I had hope that she’d at least hear me out.

Ma Siller sat a plate in each of our places, then seated herself, and demanded we say grace. When I first moved in, I resentedthe order until I realized it was a small price to pay for her kindness to me. Even if they were just words I said to make her happy.

On cue, Bolt walked in. He always managed to miss the blessing. He swore it wasn’t on purpose, though I called bullshit. Dutifully, he washed his hands, kissed Ma Siller’s cheek, before grabbing his own plate of pear salad and sitting at the table.

Glancing from Bolt to me, Ainsley shifted, then cleared her throat. “I’ve already thanked Ma Siller, but seeing as how I’ve barely seen you since I moved in, I want to thank you, too.”

Bolt grunted.

“Are you looking forward to your run?” she pressed.

“Might be if my dang gonnet ride wasn’t giving me shit.”

“The chain again?” I asked, lifting my brows.

Worry creased Ma Siller’s face. “I thought you had it completely replaced, Siller.”

“I did, Ma,” he said gruffly. “But that sumbitch’s flapping around again. How the fuck can a new chain do that when I only been riding it from the club to here? Don’t make sense.”

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