Page 41 of Biker's Babygirl

Ginny lets out a strangled mewl, and I’ve never wanted to hit my brother so much in my life.

“Listen, Shep?—”

“I’m ready to listen toheranswer.” His eyes are hard and angry on Ginny.

My arms tighten around her. “Knock it off,” I order in a voice that would normally get any man, even my brother, to back down.

Shep arches a brow, but still doesn’t look away from Ginny cowering in my arms. “This isn’t like you, Duke. I never thought you’d be the one to put all of us in harm’s way for a little girl that’s done nothing but lie to you since she got here.”

The words hit me harder than a physical blow, and I’m about to set Ginny down to work this out another way when another voice speaks up.

“We shouldn’t be doing this,” Elvis says, his words measured and firm.

We’re all so shocked that he’s the voice of reason that for a minute no one answers.

Then Ginny pipes up at last. “I’ll go.”

Her voice is a whisper, but I hear her loud and clear. I can see by the pained expression on Ellie’s face that she does, too.

I meet her gaze, silently begging her to speak up in Ginny’s defense. It will be better coming from her than me, especiallysince Shep just voiced doubt in my ability to stay objective where Ginny is concerned. I can tell by the anguish I see there that she wants to, but she doesn’t.

“Not happening,” I snap at last, my hands tightening around Ginny again to the point where she squeaks in protest. I loosen my grip a tiny bit. “She’s sick, and?—”

“You’re not thinking things through, bro.” Shep cuts me off, but his voice is softer this time. “You’re letting your heart get in the way. If this was a family member, you’d let another doctor handle it.”

“That’s bull, and you know it,” I snap. “That’s a big part of why we do things the way we do here. Because if it wasyouwho was hurt, I damn sure wouldn’t leave you to another doctor.”

My brother opens his mouth again, and I tense, glaring as I wait for his reply. But before he can, Ginny speaks up once more.

“He’s right.”

Two tiny words, spoken in a soft, trembling voice, but they’re enough to grab all our attention. She flushes under the heat of our scrutiny, and I’m worried she’s going to break down again, but instead she lifts her head and squares her shoulders.

“I did bring this to your house. Show them the rock, Ellie.”

I feel a flash of pride in her—my little girl. The thought flashes across my brain before I’m even aware I think of her like that, but as soon as it does, I know it’s true. That’s what she is to me, whether she wants to be or not. And I’ll protect her as such, even if she never agrees to make that title a reality.

“No. Not now. Ginny had a fever when I left her, and I need to give her a full exam and provide medical care.Thenwe’ll talk.” I meet every single pair of eyes in the room one by one, daring them to object.

Ellie looks away. Elvis merely looks back. Shep holds my gaze for a long time before giving me a tiny nod.

I return his nod with one of my own and do an about-face, moving out of the kitchen and into the hallway with Ginny safe in my arms. Safe for the moment, at least. And I’m determined to do whatever is necessary to keep it that way.

Ginny

I’m still shaking from the earlier incident—it’s not every day a brick goes through the window of the house you’re staying in, a brick aimed atyou—but the moment Duke puts his hand on my back, my nerves start to settle. The heat that radiates from his palm sends waves of calming energy through me.

My cheeks have been warm ever since he announced he was going to give me an exam, but I don’t really care about that as he guides me back to his exam room.

This time, words aren’t spoken between us. He removes his hand from the small of my back to close the door, then turns toward me, arms crossed, his face expectant.

The air seems charged with that same expectation, even as I try to tell myself I’m being silly.

It’s just an exam. He’s worried about you medically. Heisa doctor, after all.

But no matter what I tell myself, goosebumps raise on my arms. I missed him, and my body won’t let me deny it. I fold my arms over my chest, my hands trying to warm my prickled skin before he notices.

But Duke wouldn’t notice because his back is to me. But he’s not moving to get out supplies or anything, either. From my vantage point, it looks like he’s staring at the wall.

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