Page 77 of The Biker's Brother

Brigid stopped to chuckle like she could imagine being there. “So the two of them figured out that the reason why neither parent had ever married, or even dated seriously, was because they were still in love.

“The boys decided they wanted to get to know the parent they’d never met incognito. Crazy as it sounds, they decided to switch places. They met somewhere in Colorado. Brash cut his hair to match Brandon’s. Brand got tattoos to match Brash’s and learned how to ride a bike. The way Brash tells it, he was a natural, like motorcycle riding is in the blood or something.

“You can imagine how complicated it was, but it worked. They were pulling it off without either parent knowing, but Garland had a health event so they had to come clean.”

“What happened?”

“They were right. Brant and Garland had never stopped loving each other. It’s kind of a happily ever after.”

“It is.” Cami nodded.

“But here’s the real reason I told you all this. Brant and Brash both have heads for business. Like Brandon. But if you asked them about their identities, they’d say they were bikers who happen to be businessmen. Not businessmen who happen to be bikers.”

She stopped and seemed to be waiting for a reaction from Cami.

Cami said, “This is good,” to Rita, who waved a thank you over her shoulder.

“Point is,” said Brigid, “Brandon felt like he had his father’s and brother’s affection, but not their respect. That’s what this job was about.”

Cami sat up a little straighter. “You mean me?”

“Yes. Getting you here safely was about earning their respect. Germane Enterprises might be in the top ten of Fortune 500, but that kind of notoriety only goes so far with bikers.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“I want you to see how much was at stake for Brandon. He couldn’t let anything take priority over getting you here safely. Getting the job done.”

Cami looked at Brigid like she was waiting for more. “This party is his reward.”

“The respect that comes from earning the colors is his reward. The party is just an excuse to party.”

“I heard that.” Brant’s gruff rumble rose over the kitchen noises.

“Well, it’s true.”

“Did you have a good outing?” he asked Cami.

She’d been bred to say, “Why, yes, thank you.” But she was thinking that, maybe in that environment, in a space where Brash was accepted for saying what was on his mind, it might be the one time when she could tell the truth.

“No. I didn’t,” she said. “I discovered that your son is a lying sack of shit.”

Brant stared at her for a few heartbeats before saying, “Tell me how you really feel.”

How she really felt?

How she really felt?

How did she really feel?

Her eyes filled with liquid that threatened to spill over and soak the breast pockets of Brigid’s pretty red silk dress that looked ridiculous with spikey blonde hair and combat boots.

She stood suddenly and rushed out of the room.

Brant sighed. “Yeah. That’s what I thought.”

He looked at Brigid who gave him a rueful smile and a shrug. “They’ll either work it out or they won’t.”

“That the kind of philosophy they’re teaching over at the University of Texas these days?”

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