Page 24 of Biker's Temptation
That sounded exactly like something Margie would say.She wasn’t the friendliest of women.She still hadn’t forgiven me for giving my opinion about the bar bathroom renovation.She tolerated me because she loved Shane, but I knew better than to overstay my welcome when we visited.
“Do you remember anything about him?”I wasn’t ready to give up yet.“Maybe his bike?If I showed you different types of bikes, could you narrow it down?Was he wearing a vest?Did he have patches?”
Daisy nodded and dabbed at her face.“Everyone called him Leo.That’s what his patch said.”She touched her chest.“And there was something over here that looked like an Italian flag maybe.”
“A diamond shaped patch anywhere?”I had learned enough about Shane’s life and the world of bikers to know that was going to be a problem.
She shook her head.“Nothing like that.I didn’t get the vibe he was a one-percenter.”
“Good.”Shane had managed to get out of the club he had served, but very few men were that lucky.“Anything else?”
“He was from New York, but I don’t know if he still lives there.He had the accent,” she said, her voice going a little dreamy at the memory.
“Did he talk about having a job?How old is he?”Nataly wondered.“Do you remember his mom’s name?”
“He didn’t mention his mom’s name.He said he owned a gym.”Daisy hesitated before she admitted, “I think he’s probably forty or maybe a little older.”
I bit my tongue at the revelation of that age gap.Yes, sure, okay, Shane was older than me by eleven years, but I was nearly forty years old myself.I was mature and had lived a whole life of experience.Daisy was a baby compared to me—and that biker had no business messing around with her.
Judging by the pissed off look on Nataly’s face, she had the same feelings.If this biker baby daddy was lucky, we wouldn’t find him.Nataly was an absolute beast when she was mad.I had seen her pick up and throw a full half-barrel keg at a party once—and hit her mark.If this Leo got within grabbing distance, she was going to beat the shit out of him.
“So,” Nataly said with an unimpressed sigh, “we’re looking for a dark-haired Italian gym bro from New York?Yeah.That should be easy enough to find.”
“Nataly!”I snapped in frustration.
“Sorry.”She held up both hands, but I could tell she was anything but sorry.
“No, she’s right.It’s hopeless!”Daisy started crying again, and I glared at my cousin.
“It’s not hopeless,” Nataly insisted.She crouched down in front of Daisy the same way she did when she was giving her players a pep talk.“Listen, even if we can’t find him, you’re not alone.Okay?You’ve got me.You’ve got Melissa.You’ve got friends and people who love you.”Nataly put both hands on Daisy’s shoulders.“We’ll take care of you.We won’t let you do this alone.”
Daisy sobbed.“Thank you.”
“Come here.”Nataly tugged her into a sisterly hug.“You’re all right.”She rubbed Daisy’s back.“You’re okay.”She patted Daisy’s head.“Listen, you need to eat.Come on.My mom cooked.It will make you feel better.”
Daisy didn’t argue.She let Nataly help her stand and lead her back to the lunch waiting for us.While my cousin got her situated, I pulled out my phone and tapped the screen to open the message chain I had with Shane.He wanted to take me on a bike ride down the coast to one of his beach houses for the night.I couldn’t say yes fast enough.
I need your help with something.
Uh-oh.
Need me now?
I need you always.
But this can wait.
We’re still on for the ride to the beach?
Definitely.
Good.See you after work?
Yes.
He replied with a heart emoji.I smiled at that.We hadn’t said the words yet, but they were coming.It was insane to be this in love with someone so quickly after meeting, but I wasn’t going to question it.Life had led me to that bar for a reason—and his name was Shane.
Chapter eight
