Page 4 of Riding with the Bad Boy

As I passed Danni, I made sure I was close enough that only she would hear me.

“Be sure to pack that red lace thing I love.” It was an asshole thing to say, but I couldn’t help it. It was a wonder she didn’t hit me. “But that’s only if you want to come.” I let my hand brush hers and felt the small shiver.

I’d have her in back in my bed by the end of the first night. I was sure of it.

7:52 AM.

Where the hell was she? I had actually thought Danni would show up. I was a fool. Women always walked away, but I’d honestly wanted another chance with her. It sucked that I wouldn’t get it.

I didn’t like the idea of her traveling alone, but other than showing up at her house and kidnapping her, I couldn’t make her travel with me.

I couldn’t kidnap her and make her ride with me, right?I might have a bad reputation, but I wasn’t that much of a bad boy. Was I?

The thought swirled in my head as I finished putting my clothes away in the bedroom and double checking I had everything I would need. This RV was something I had been thinking about almost as long as I had been thinking about getting a motorcycle. I didn’t need either, but I wanted them. As much as I loved Heartland Falls and I loved my family, I needed something more. I needed a space where I wasn’t a Crane or a Sterling by blood. Both last names carried too much pressure sometimes. Maybe that was why things changed for Danielle.

I heard a knock on the window and looked up, still hoping to see Danni, but my older brother and my eldest cousin stood there instead. I tipped my head toward the open door and waited for them to walk in.

Sebastian and Kellen both looked around at the luxury interior. As hard as it sometimes was to live up to the expectations of my last name, it did come with its perks. Having a trust fund was one of them, but I rarely touched it. I made enough with my custom woodworking business and doing some consulting for my cousins at the distillery. It had taken longer than I wanted to save the money without using the trust fund, but I was glad I did.

“Damn, this is bigger than my whole freaking house.” Kellen joked. It was a lie. He didn’t have a huge house, but it was definitely bigger than this.

“Only in your imagination.” I shook my head. “Where is Antonia and Emmett?” Antonia was my sister-in-law, and Emmett was Kellen’s son.

It had been a complete scandal when Kellen came home from college after his sophomore year with a new baby and no girlfriend, fiancée, or wife. He didn’t talk about what happened.I wasn’t even sure my aunt and uncle knew who the mother was, but it didn’t matter. We all loved that little boy more than just about anything.

That was one thing I missed the thought of. Back in high school and college I knew I would be a father. My dad was amazing and I wanted to be just like him. I still wanted to be a dad, but I saw how doing it alone changed Kellen. How hard it sometimes was on him. All the whispers and questions. Emmett was almost seven years old and still people acted as if it was a big deal that Kellen wasn’t married or that Emmett’s mom never came looking for either of them. As much as I would love a child of my own, I didn’t think I would want to do it by myself.

“Antonia is still asleep, but she sent her love and told me to tell you to be careful,” Seb told me. “She also wanted me to remind you that most of the car accidents that come into the hospital involve motorcycles.”

I shook my head. I loved my sister-in-law, but she could be a bit of a worry wort. “Let her know I plan to be extra careful.”

“Yeah, I’m sure that will appease her.” He snorted.

“And Emmett?” I changed the subject.

“With my parents.” Kellen filled me in. “It’s their weekend.” My aunt and uncle took Emmett once a month so that Kellen could have a bit of a break from time to time.

“Do you have everything?” Seb asked in true older brother fashion. I loved him, but damn he could make me feel like I was still the little kid he had to look after all the time.

“Yes.” I nodded, still thinking about Danni. I didn’t have everything. “I was just double checking.” And debating committing a felony.

Was kidnapping a felony? Could having a father and brother on the city council get me out of any trouble that came from doing it?

“And you’re determined to do this?” Kellen raised an eyebrow, bringing me back to the moment.

My family wasn’t exactly happy about the idea of me going to a motorcycle rally or getting a motorcycle. They had this idea that it was going to be all drug dealers and gangs riding around causing holy terror. At least that was how my mother described it.

“Yes.” This was like the hundredth time I had this conversation.

“Why don’t you take Logan or Colby with you?” Kellen suggest two of his four younger brothers. “I’m sure dad would give them the time off.”

As much as I enjoyed hanging out with my cousins this was just for me, and possibly Danielle.

“Thanks, but I’m good.” I couldn’t force her. Could I?

“Fine.” Seb blew out a breath. “Be careful.”

“Thanks Dad.” I rolled my eyes.

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