Page 102 of Their Property
T-Bone approached her, cupping her shoulders as he lowered his forehead to hers. “We'll support whatever you think is best,” he said. “But we need a plan, little lady.”
Her eyes squeezed shut, the obvious distress on her face making my chest ache. “I don’t know! He’s probably freaking out because he thinks I’m dead or a prisoner, and I don’t know what that means for you guys if he finds out we…” She took a deep, shuddering breath. “I should go alone.”
“No.” T-Bone’s grip tightened on her shoulders. “We’re not leaving you unguarded. Either we all go or we find another way.”
“Travis.” Kyrie breathed his given name as she blinked up at him. “If you all come with me, we can’t act like…he can’t know that we…”
“Sweetheart, that cat’s going to come out of the bag eventually. It’ll be worse if he finds out later that we were hiding it.”
“You’re not a liar anyway, Kyrie,” Dyno added. “Don’t take on that burden to protect us.”
“I will if it keeps you from being treated like criminals!”
“Been there, done that, got the T-shirt,” T-Bone chuckled. “Whatever happens, we can handle it, little lady.”
Shadow cleared his throat. “I don’t mean to insert myself into your situation, but is it at all possible the governor wouldsupportyour relationship? Why go in assuming he won’t approve?”
Everyone went quiet, looking at Kyrie while she thought on that notion. “It’s…possible, I guess,” she relented. “Not very likely. I mean, don’t get me wrong, Shadow. He has no problem that you share a wife with three other men. But I’m certain he’s never imagined such a thing forme.”
“And with bikers, no less,” Shadow added with a small smile.
Chris puffed out his chest. “There is an understandable allure to us, no denying that.”
Tiff snorted and smacked his arm. “If you’re lookin’ to share me, you’re out of luck. My hands are full enough with just you.”
“Exactly how I like it,” the VP purred, leaning into her.
Their banter broke the tension a little, and even Kyrie cracked a smile. “I should just go in and be honest, I guess.”
“That’s usually the best way to handle things,” Shadow said gently.
Kyrie turned to me, signing as she spoke. “Grudge, are you okay with this?”
I just nodded and made anokaysign. Wherever T-Bone and Dyno went, I would go. No matter what, I would still guard her vigilantly.
“So that settles it,” T-Bone said. “We go right up to the governor and put it all out there.”
“Good luck,” Shadow said. “The Demons will watch out for you if anything goes south.”
“Thanks, Shadow.” T-Bone turned to him and the two of them clasped fists. “Hopefully, we don’t need our asses saved, but we appreciate knowing you’ll be there if we do.”
“It’s nothing you wouldn’t do for us.” Shadow released his fist and clapped a hand down on my shoulder. “Happy for you, brother,” he said low near my ear. “She’s a gem.”
I didn’t know how to tell him there was nothing to be happy for.
THIRTY-ONE
KYRIE
Ithought I might throw up the whole ride to Four Corners. With all the twists and turns through the desert, it was a small miracle that I didn't.
We decided not to drag out the inevitable any longer and headed to my home territory that night. I curled around T-Bone's back, my cheek on his shoulder blade and hands stroking his chest as we rode. He was a pillar of strength and comfort, as I knew he would be. He kissed my fingers and rubbed my legs, which pressed tightly against the outside of his own. If I shut my eyes and held on to him hard enough, I could pretend he was carrying me away. Back to freedom, the service center, their clubhouse, I didn't care. Anywhere but the prison we were riding to.
Again.
The bikes gradually slowed to a stop, and I heard voices over the idle rumbling which meant we must have reached the Four Corners entry point. Dad was strict about who came in and out of the territory and kept soldiers posted at all the entrances twenty-four-seven. He'd know we were here before seeing us.
T-Bone's hand lifted away from my thigh, returning to the handlebars as a soldier approached.
