Page 3 of The Biker's Single Mom
The SUV stops. The driver's door opens, and a man in an expensive suit steps out, followed by another from the passenger side. I recognize them immediately, and ice water floods my veins.
Tony and Vincent.
My throat closes as the phantom sting of Carlo's backhand flashes across my cheek, the last time I'd defied him, the night I finally ran with Violet. The sound of his voice echoes in my memory:You're mine until I say otherwise.
"Violet," I say quietly, "come here, baby."
She looks up, confused by my tone, but obediently comes to my side. I pull her against me as the men approach the garage.
"Mrs. Ricci," Tony calls, his voice pleasant, his eyes cold. "Your husband's been looking for you."
"It's Ms. Scott now," I correct, fighting to keep my voice steady. "And he's my ex-husband. The divorce was finalized months ago."
Vincent smiles, all teeth. "He doesn't recognize that paperwork. And neither do the Serpents. He wants you and the kid to come home."
I feel Violet trembling against my leg. She doesn't remember these men clearly, but her body recognizes danger.
"That's not happening," I say, clutching my daughter's shoulder. "Please leave."
Tony takes another step forward. "Don't make this difficult, Daisy. We have orders to bring you back. Both of you."
My throat tightens with fear. I've spent two years running, hiding, building a new life away from Carlo Ricci and his "business associates." I thought I'd finally escaped.
"The lady asked you to leave."
Steel's voice cuts through the garage like a blade. He stands in the bay entrance, blocking most of the light, his massive frame silhouetted against the sunlight. Something metal glints in his right hand, a wrench, I realize, though he holds it like a weapon.
Tony smirks. "This doesn't concern you, friend."
"I'm not your friend." Steel doesn't move, doesn't raise his voice, but something in his tone makes the hair on my arms stand up. "And anything that happens in my garage concerns me."
As if summoned by some silent signal, Hawk and the other Riders move to flank him. A united front of leather, muscle, and unmistakable threat.
"She's not going anywhere," Steel continues, his voice lethal in its quietness. "Neither is the kid."
Vincent steps forward, hand moving toward his jacket. "You don't want to get involved in this, biker. You don't know who you're dealing with."
Steel's laugh is cold and without humor. "No, you don't know who you're dealing with. This is Riders' territory. You've got five seconds to get in your overpriced SUV and disappear."
The tension stretches, electric and dangerous. I pull Violet closer, ready to shield her with my body if necessary.
Then Tony holds up his hands in mock surrender. "We'll go. For now." His eyes find mine over Steel's shoulder. "But Mr. Ricci doesn't give up what belongs to him. We'll be seeing you real soon, Daisy."
They back away slowly, climbing into their SUV. The engine roars to life, and they pull away with deliberate slowness.
The moment they're out of sight, my legs nearly buckle. I grip the back of the couch to steady myself.
Steel turns, his dark eyes finding mine. He crosses the garage in four long strides, stopping just short of my personal space.
"Who were they?" he demands.
"My ex-husband's men," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "He's... connected."
"Mob," Steel translates flatly. It's not a question.
I nod, not trusting my voice. Violet presses her face against my hip, and I stroke her hair, trying to project a calm I don't feel.
Steel studies us for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he looks at Hawk and the others. "Call Blade. Tell him we've got a situation."
