Page 27 of Nova

Reaching out, I pull her to me, and run my fingers through her hair, brushing her loose locks over her shoulder. "I meant what I said yesterday. And I want you to continue to be my attorney." As I play with her hair, Promise closes her eyes.

"Okay." She opens her eyes and looks at me.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

Stomping down the urge to kiss her lips so hard her knees buckle, I kiss her on the forehead instead. "Take a ride with me."

"Where?"

"Does it matter?" I watch her lips turn up in a smile.

"No."

"Go tell your friend you're leavin' with me, and that I'll bring you home later." I swat her on the ass.

"I need to change," Promise looks down at her leggings and an oversized shirt."

"The hell you do. You look perfect just the way you are. Throw on some shoes, and let's go," I tell her. Hesitating briefly, she turns and opens the door, walking inside. I stand in the doorway, waiting for her.

"London, I'll be back later," I hear her call her friend from somewhere inside the apartment.

"Get you some more of that magic, D, girl," London fires back at Promise.

"For fuck's sake, Lon. He's standing at the door and hears everything you are saying," Promise yells.

"Good." There's a short pause. "Hey, Nova?"

"Yeah," I call from where I'm standing just as Promise appears, pulling her hair back and securing it in a high ponytail.

"I meant what I said about your balls." Promise rolls her eyes as she steps out the door. She waits to leave until she hears the locks engage from inside. "Have fun," London sing songs from the other side of the door, and I can't hide my laughter.

With promise at my side, we make our way outside. Straddling my bike, I hold out my hand, helping her settle in behind me. Her long legs hug me as she slides in closer—the engine roars, rumbling between our thighs. Promise wraps her arms around my torso, presses her lips close to my ear, her warm breath on my skin causing my cock to swell. "Rev it up." I grin remembering the other night. I twist the throttle a few times before taking off down the road.

A short time later, we pull up in front of Twisted Throttle. Backing my bike alongside the others, I kill the engine and dismount. Promise removes her helmet, and I hang it on my handlebar. She looks around. "Come on." I hold out my hand, helping her climb off.

"What are we doing here? The bar isn't open yet."

"We need a place to talk about the case." I open the front door, stepping to the side for her to enter, and the smell of my brother's jambalaya assaults my senses.

"Something smells delicious," Promise remarks. The moment she walks in, she freezes, noticing the bar full of people. "Come on. Let me introduce you to everyone." I take her by the hand, and she follows without hesitation.

Everyone is scattered around the bar, sitting at the tables, eating. "Hey, dad." Piper makes her way toward me, then wraps me in a hug.

"Hey, Bean. How are you feelin'?" With my free hand, I pull her head to my chest, kissing her forehead.

Piper tilts her head back to look at me. She carries no physical marks on the outside from her assault, but I worry about what could be going on inside her head, and most importantly, her heart. Those are the bruises and scars I can't see, and it pains me.

"I'm good, dad." She smiles at me, and I try my best to believe her. It only takes her a moment to introduce herself to Promise. "Hi, I'm Piper." My daughter keeps one arm around my waist as she extends her hand.

Promise smiles. "Hey, and I'm Promise."

"That's such a cool name," Piper tells her.

Needing to get introductions out of the way, I begin with my brother. "You may notice a few faces from yesterday, but not my brother, Abel. Most call him Riggs. He's the club's President."

Promise looks between Riggs and me with a surprised look. "Twins. What was that like growing up?"

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