Page 83 of Steele

She laughed. “Don’t tell him. As for my mom… Did you ever play twenty questions as a kid?”

“I can handle it.” I leaned in and kissed her.

A big black 4x4 truck pulled up behind my bike. I couldn’t see her brother’s eyes, but the hard line of his jaw gave a good indication he wasn’t thrilled with his sister on my bike. Or maybe he wasn’t happy to see me kissing her. Fuck, could be the Heller Raiders colors on my back. He could have a laundry list of reasons to think his sister was too good for me. And he’d be right, but that wasn’t going to stop me from seeing her.

Ryan shoved open the driver’s door and jumped to the ground.

“You can’t be fucking serious.”

She pointed at her brother. “Don’t.”

Shit. The last thing I wanted was to cause her trouble, but I also didn’t want her to lie to her family about me.

He stopped in front of me, and his gaze tracked over the patches on my cut. “I don’t know much about the Hellers Raiders, but I’ve watched enough television to know that if you treat her like property, I’ll run you over with my truck.”

A slow smile curved my lips, and a laugh climbed up my throat. Not property, but she was mine.

“I’d forbid her to ride with you because we’ve lost too much already, but she won’t listen. So when she’s on your bike—”

“You don’t need to worry,” Jaymi said as she started up the walkway. “I’m going to get my own bike.”

“No way.” Ryan fell into step beside her, and I followed behind them. “You’re not going to kill yourself. They’re dangerous. He’s spent his life on a bike. At least, I’m assuming you have if you’re in a biker gang.”

“It’s a club,” she corrected.

He glanced over his shoulder. “Can’t you tell her no? I thought bikers didn’t let their old ladies have motorcycles.”

He’d shifted sides faster than Lili angling for a rule change on cookies before dinner. I guess riding with me was better than the alternative of Jaymi riding on her own.

“You wouldn’t care, would you?” she asked me. “McKelle and Jazzy ride. I can’t imagine anyone telling Property of Blade she couldn’t have a bike if she wanted one.”

“Hana. And she doesn’t ride. No one tells Jazzy what to do, and McKelle’s been on bikes longer than some of the guys in the MC.”

“Well, her boyfriends don’t seem to care that she rides. I don’t see why my boyfriend would have a problem with it.”

Not like I could say no when she called me her boyfriend. Not that I had to answer.

Ryan continued his conversation with Jaymi. “Are you hanging out at his club?” Ryan slapped open the screen door to the house. “Jesus. I thought you were still sitting alone in that big, depressing house. Instead, you’re becoming a rebel.” He snorted a laugh. “Maybe I should let you. Might keep Mom off my back to get married and have kids.” The unspoken words were there. She couldn’t pressure Jaymi for something she’d already had and lost.

“Change the conversation,” Jaymi said and slipped her hand into mine.

“You don’t need to worry,” I said to Ryan. “I’m going to take care of her.”

Jaymi’s mom came out of the kitchen. “Good. You’re here. We thought we could sit in the kitchen and get to know each other. Coffee is about ready.”

My fingers tightened on Jaymi’s. “Sounds good.”

Two cups of coffee later, Jaymi’s parents Russel and Calista, Russ and Cali as they preferred to be called, knew about Lili, my divorce, the MC, motorcycles, my work in construction, and my plans for the future, which most definitely included their daughter.

While Ryan was on his phone, Jaymi helped her mom with dinner.

Russ stretched as he stood. “Come on.” He rested his hand on Ryan’s shoulder. “Let’s take Brett out to the garage.”

Jaymi smiled at me, and a blush tinted her cheeks.

“I’ll be out in a minute.” Ryan smirked.

Jaymi spun around and stifled a laugh.