Page 117 of Knot My MC
“Have you heard from your dad?”
I lift a shoulder. “And if I have? Is he in trouble?”
“You know he’s not in trouble.” Riley bristles and blows out a hard breath. “Despite what you might think, I’m only worried about Kiren.”
“Okay.”
“Do you make a habit out of being difficult?”
“Only for you.” I smile sweetly. “Is that all you needed?”
He opens a desk drawer. “There is one more thing.” He drops a folder onto the desk. “Take it.”
“What is it?” I don’t make a move for it.
“It’s for you.” He huffs and opens the folder for me. There are pictures inside. Pictures of my mother pregnant. Pictures of my dad with her. Pictures of them holding a baby, holding me. They don’t seem to realize they were being photographed. “They’re copies of the originals, but these are from way back when I was trailing Wrecker, trying to find something to use against them.”
“And you thought my parents were the way in?”
He shrugs and points to the picture of the three of us. “I thought maybe they’d want to protect their daughter. Your dad didn’t listen to me until after your mother’s death.” His eyes lift to meet mine. “I liked your dad.”
I swallow. “I liked him too.”
“Liked. Funny you would use past tense.”
Stiffening, I glare at him. “Don’t read into it. You used past tense too.” I shake my head and grab the photos. “Thanks for the pictures. They’re only a little creepy.”
He doesn’t smile, only continues to stare at me as if he knows exactly what happened to my dad and exactly what happened to Axel. After a few tense moments, he glances at the clock on the wall. “I have another appointment, but don’t be a stranger, Kiki.”
No making me promise to get in touch if I hear from my dad. No threats about finding out what really happened to Axel. Captain Riley holds my gaze in that knowing way of his. I roll my eyes, pretending like he isn’t getting under my skin.
“I plan to never speak to you again, Captain. Good luck with the cereal business.”
He does laugh at that stupid joke. Taking that as my sign to leave, I open the door and split. I place the pictures in the compartment under the seat to keep them safe. I wasn’t kidding when I told Riley I had no plans to see him again. If I had it my way, that’s what would happen. I’m a Hound now. Jag, Crow, and Knox are mine and we were made for trouble.
The purr of my Harley fills the air, and I cruise out of the parking lot, a strange sensation washing over me as I head home. The sun shines down on me, warming my skin and comforting me. It’s just me, the road, and my bike, but I don’t feel alone. I remember a familiar smile, one that’ll be in my heart forever regardless of if Dad is here or not.
Give ’em hell, Kiki.
Gripping the handle bars, I accelerate and speed down the onramp, watching for cars and breaking more than one road rule while my long hair whips behind me. I laugh as my stomach drops while I expertly weave between cars.
You got it, Old Man. Love you.
EPILOGUE
TWO YEARS LATER
KIKI
“I don’t know, I really think we should consider a pegging scene.” I stare into the camera, unblinking. My co-workers are used to my ideas by now, and most of them trust me. I’ve worked forPlaying for Lovefor a little over a year and a half and I’ve managed to bring a lot of new readers to the app. I’m pretty sure it’s because we threw in some kinkier sex sequences. Well, that and we added more story lines than their standard miscommunication stuff.
I’m glad the guys are gone for this part of the meeting. They wouldn’t be able to keep their laughter to themselves. The second annual meeting with all the new chapters is well underway by now. I glance at the clock on my laptop. Actually, it’s probably over. Most of Wrecker patched over, and with that many people, the Hounds redistributed its members and expanded. Those who didn’t join moved on to other packs. Wrecker is officially an MC of the past. The only reason I feel a twinge of sadness is because Dad would have hated to see it crumble, but I think he’d appreciate the things my pack is doing. He’d love knowing they take good care of me.
Before I can get too down in my thoughts, I refocus on the computer screen. The silence has stretched on uncomfortably long. “Is my connection okay?” I ask, knowing full well everyone heard me. Sometimes they need a little prompting when I suggest something they’d consider radical.
“Pegging?” Stewart, the head of animation, tips his head to the side. His video feed is a little fuzzy but there’s no missing the confusion lining his face.
Online meetings are generally chaotic, but I’ve managed to make half the team speechless with my suggestion.
