Page 15 of The Biker's Forbidden Love
“Will you look after her and treat her right?”
He’s questioning me now like a concerned father, and I feel hopeful that he’s coming around to the idea. It feels weird having to explain my intentions to my best friend, but if it’s what I have to do for Lily, then I will.
“I’m gonna buy a place somewhere for the both of us. She can finish her studies, work or not work, whatever she wants to do.” I want to add that we’ll start a family, but I don’t want Bruno to be reminded of what that entails right now.
“You sure this is what she wants?”
“I haven’t asked her formally yet. But if you give us your blessing, then I will.”
Bruno paces the porch. I hope that showing him respect by asking for his daughter’s hand will go a long way toward healing out friendship.
“And if I don’t give you my blessing?”
I shrug my shoulders. “Then we’ll be together anyway.”
I hold his gaze so he gets my meaning. There is nothing in this world that will keep me and Lily apart. If it means leaving the club, if it means going to another state, that’s exactly what we’ll do to be together.
Bruno breaks eye contact and keeps pacing. He gives a soft chuckle that’s tinged with sadness.
“I knew I’d have to hand her over to another man one day. I just thought I’d have more time.”
Hope fills my heart; he’s definitely coming around to the idea. “You’re not giving her away, Bruno. You’ll still be in her life.”
“I know.” He shakes his head. “You’ll understand if you have a daughter one day.”
He puts his hand on my shoulder, and the pressure is a little bit harder than I’d like.
“You have my blessing, Jesse.” I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face. “But you break her heart, you fuck with her, you make my little girl cry, and I will rip your balls off one by one.”
I don’t doubt the man, but I have no intention of hurting Lily. Now all I want to do is find her.
“Can you trace her?”
Bruno pulls out his phone and brings up the tracking app. In a few minutes, I know exactly where Lily is. I quickly splash water on my wounds, then get on my bike.
It’s time to claim my woman.
10
LILY
As soon as I get to the Pacific Highway, I find a place to stop. I’m not comfortable on Dad’s bike, especially without a helmet. I can ride, but I’m not stupid.
There’s an overlook on the side of the road, and I pull up there. A stack of large rocks forms a barrier to the cliff below, and I scramble up and take a seat. It’s nice looking out at the ocean as cars whizz past behind me. It’s calming after the violence at the cottage.
I was fuming when Dad turned up at the cottage. I didn’t realize how angry he’d be when he found out about me and Jesse. I don’t get it. I’m a grown woman. I can make my own decisions. No wonder Jesse denied his feelings for so long.
I couldn’t watch them fighting like that, and I hope going off on Dad’s bike will snap him out of it.
I don’t have to wait long before a bike pulls up at the overlook behind me. Jesse climbs up on the rocks to join me, and when I see his face, guilt overwhelms me. There’s blood trickling from his nose, and his eye is already swollen.
“Jesse, we need to get you looked at.”
I start to climb down, and he puts a hand out to stop me.
“It’s fine, Lily. It looks worse than it is.”
Jesse brushes off my concern and climbs up next to me on the rock.
