Page 26 of Property of BamBam
He’s got a gorgeous smile, which causes me to flush slightly when my thoughts travel to how sensuous his lips look. I’m nowhere near ready to allow another man, except my son, get that close to me right now. I’m in self-preservation mode. Besides, he might already have a woman in his life for all I know; he’s good looking, kind, and gives off the impression that he can handle anything with the snap of his fingers. If I were single and on the market for a man, I’d snatch him up before anyone realized what a catch he is.
Me on the other hand? Hot mess express. It’s okay, though, I know I won’t always be like this, and Beth has repeatedly said the same thing. And while it may seem odd to some people, I already trust him and know he would never do anything to deliberately hurt me. He’s proven that to me when he helped me without any expectations.
“Then I say yes,” I tell him, smiling as I think about truly becoming independent. I know it won’t be easy, but one of the awesome things about Hope House is I’ll learn the things I need to know to succeed out in ‘the real world’ as Beth calls it.
“So, do you wanna get outta here and go shopping with me on Saturday?” he asks, interrupting my thoughts.
“I’d like that,” I reply. “Can Theo come, too?”
“Of course,” he says, grinning at me.
“Then it’s a date.” I nearly clap my hand over my mouth when I blurt that out, but the smile on his face keeps me from doing it. Way to go, Livy. You jump into the heated frying pan without consciously doing so. Story of my life.
“That hunky biker who was here earlier the reason you’re so quiet today?” Marge asks as we pass the bowls and platters around so everyone can fill their plate.
“Yeah,” I murmur. “He’s taking me shopping on Saturday.”
“You’re not going with us?” Ashley questions as she sets the mashed potatoes on a hot pad that’s in the middle of the table.
“He said it’s not safe right now,” I reply. “Grace, did he call you?” I ask the house mother.
“He did,” Grace says. “Ladies, it’s extremely critical that y’all remember to arm the alarm at night. Keep all the doors and windows locked at all times. Seems the Kings have seen Livy’s ex in town.”
“He better hopeIdon’t see him,” Marge grumbles, slicing into her meat with such ferociousness that I fear for the dish.
“The club is looking for him as well as a couple of his friends,” Grace replies. “We’re going to err on the side of caution.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” I muse. “Jasper and his friends arenotgood guys, y’all. They’re sneaky and will do whatever it takes to lure me to Jasper.”
Shudders wrack my body when I remember some of his buddies. As my tremors increase, I find arms wrapped around me in a hug. “It’s going to be okay, Livy,” Briley whispers as Marge shoves a napkin in my hands to mop up the tears that are freely flowing at the thought of facing any of them again.
“The Kings will protect you, Livy,” Ashley adds. “Especially BamBam, if my guess is worth anything.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, confusion now marring my face. “Everything he’s done for me and Theo is because he’s a nice man.”
Giggles ring out from my dinner companions as Marge slowly shakes her head. “I can see we need to bring you up to speed about the Kings, Livy,” she states.
“I don’t understand,” I mumble through my sobs.
“The Kings protect what’s theirs, plain and simple. They’re a law unto themselves, guided only by whatever bylaws their club has,” Marge says. “Did you notice the diamond patch on the front of his cut?”
I mentally picture the cut that BamBam wears and slowly nod. “Yeah. But what does it mean?”
“It means they’re a one percent club. They make up their own rules and don’t abide by the laws of the land, unless it suits them, of course. Granted, they’ve got legitimate businesses, but it’s highly likely that they dabble in things that are not legal,” Marge replies.
“So, they’re bad guys?” I ask with concern.
“Only to the people who cross them,” Marge states. “I think you’ve made an impression on that biker, though, and it’ll only be a matter of time before he makes you his ol’ lady and you’re on the back of his bike.”
Yeah, I have no clue what she means right now, and have no one to ask. I mean, I could reach out to Issy, but then she’d want to know why I was asking, and because her husband’s the president, she’d probably tell him. I shut that line of thinking down almost before it can take off and say, “Well, for now, he’s taking me shopping. I don’t think it’s for rings or a dress, so let’s leave it at that.”
Once again, giggles ring out as I finish wiping my face of the tears that fell ferociously down my cheeks during my meltdown. “Then let’s eat so we can watch a few episodes ofFire Country,” Grace suggests.
Sounds like a great idea to me. I’ll work on my latest homework assignment then; writing a list of everything that Jasper stole from me.
CHAPTER
SEVENTEEN
