Page 96 of One Night with the Biker

“It isn’t your fault. That secret was a ticking timebomb, bound to see the light of day sooner or later.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

He took my hand in his and brought it to his mouth, kissing each of my fingertips and igniting a fire deep inside me. But it would forever be this way between us if I allowed it.

Reese would fuck up, he’d apologize, promise to do better, and make love to me. I tugged my hand away and settled it into my lap.

“It’s okay, Reese,” I said, empty and lost, feelings I’d become all too familiar with since I discovered my pregnancy. “You don’t have to tell me pretty words or romance me. If you want sex, be honest, and let me decide.”

“Would you say yes?”

I wanted to, deep down in my soul where no one could see all my hopes and fears, dreams and disappointments. But I didn’t know what to do or how to respond. It was just a question, so I didn’t have to say anything.

“I was angry with you,” he said, when he realized I wouldn’t answer.

“Ma Siller told me. It still doesn’t make it right. You can’t shit on me and then correct it when you’re over your anger. You should’ve shouted at me.”

“Would my words have been any better had I said them directly to you?”

“It would’ve been in the heat of the moment. Not over an hour later when you had a chance to think about what you were saying but said them anyway.”

“That was unworthy of me.”

“I disagree. It was unworthy of what I supposedly meant to you after our time together here. It was exactly like you because you’ve done it since we met.”

Reese shoved a hand through his hair and gritted his teeth. “I care for you so fucking much.”

“Words are cheap. Not only don’t most of your actions exhibit care, but most of the time I don’t even think you like me.”

He gave me an incredulous look.

I’d gone through so many emotions today that I didn’t think I could handle any more.

“I’m thinking about patching out,” he announced, that bombshell grabbing my attention like nothing else. “You and I will never have a fair shot as long as I’m a Royal Bastard.”

His expression gave nothing away. I didn’t know if he truly wanted to do this or if he felt obligated to do it.

“Razor kept throwing shit my way today. That’s why I was late to the ultrasound. It’s a collective effort to keep us apart.”

I leaned my head against the sofa and stared at nothing in particular, just seeing my brother in his cut and riding his Harley. To the end, Roman loved his club and would’ve been lost without it. I don’t think he could’ve given it up, even for me. Like Reese, he might’ve tried out of a misplaced sense of duty, but it would’ve slowly eaten him up and our relationship would’ve been damaged long before now.

Somehow, I managed to hold my tears at bay. Reese and I needed to have this conversation. The moment I got back to my room at Ma Siller’s, I’d give into my grief. I hadn’t even gotten to tell Roman goodbye. Worse, he’d died angry at me—hatingme.

I swiped at the tears sliding down my cheeks. “Babies are little monsters,” I sniffled. “I didn’t cry this fucking much whenIwas a kid.”

“Ainsley, I would like you to stay here while I’m gone.”

Frowning, I lifted my head. “Why?”

“Ma Siller has places she can go. If those Bloody Scorpion motherfuckers are back, you need a safe space. This is it.”

“It’s in the middle of fucking nowhere. I don’t have clothes or food or my car.”

“I’m going to get three of my brothers to help me. Two of them will have twelve-hour shifts guarding you and one will run errands for you. You can’t have your car. It might have a tracker on it. Whether because of Roman or one of those other motherfuckers, I don’t know.”

“Couldn’t your brothers lead the Bloody Scorpions here?”

“I’ll be gone for two weeks. So far, we’re having a pretty mild autumn. They’ll camp outside.”

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