Dark Guardian (Black Hoods MC #3) - Avelyn Paige Page 0,32
guarantee that. You know you can’t. I know you think you can provide a great life for those kids, but there’s always going to be someone out there who wants revenge for something your club did. They’ll be the ones who are hurt in the end.”
“They won’t. When you love two people as much as I love those kids, I’d put myself in the line of fire to protect them, and so would my club. They’re a part of us now. If you’d give me a chance, you’d see that too.”
“I can’t just give chances away like that. The courts decide the cases, and I just investigate them. I have no power.”
“You have more power than you think.”
If he only knew the truth. I’m powerless. I always have been. Helping kids is all I’ve wanted to do, but I’m not a judge. I’m not an attorney. I’m the bad guy who rips families apart, along with my own heart.
“Do you trust me?” he asks.
I blink, unsure of how to answer. Finally, I decide that in this case, honesty is the best policy. “I don’t know how I could.”
“Just try. I need you to come with me.”
“You want me to come with you, right now? At this hour?”
“Yes. I need you to understand what I’m trying to tell you. The only way you can do that is to come with me.”
I consider his proposal. Riding off into the night with this man isn’t smart, but there’s something about his honesty that makes a part of me feel safe around him. I’ve always been on the hunt for the answers in my cases and going with him may be my only shot at finding Natalie and Kevin. With a deep sigh, I send up a silent prayer.
“I’ll get my jacket.”
Judge
“I’m not getting on that,” she says as I hand her my helmet. “I’ll just take my car and follow you.”
Laughing, I place it on her head. “You’ll love it. Might even loosen you up a little.”
The helmet sits on top of her bun, making it look uncomfortable. Lifting it off, she holds it under one arm and uses the other to pull out one hairpin after another, letting it fall around her shoulders in long, loose curls.
As I watch her run her fingers through them, I have to force myself to remain cool. Her hair smells fruity and fresh. Though I wouldn’t normally think of fruity as a sexy scent, coming from her, it most definitely is. Grace is a looker, even with that tight ass bun. But her hair curling around her shoulders makes her look like a fucking angel.
“There.” With a self-conscious smirk, she puts the helmet back on. I still can’t move. All I can do is watch her fingers work at the strap beneath her chin and wonder how I never noticed before just how good she smells.
Shifting on her feet, she arches her brow. “Is something wrong?”
I blink, clearing my mind of wanting to press my nose into her neck and breathing in her scent. “Nah, we’re good,” I say as I climb onto my motorcycle. I start it up, bringing the roaring engine to life before turning to Grace. “Hop on!”
Sinking her teeth into her bottom lip, she looks at the seat behind me. Her lips move, as if she’s mumbling to herself. Then finally, she nods and places her hands on my shoulders as she swings her leg over the seat.
It’s been a long fucking time since I’ve had a woman on the seat behind me, and none of them had ever molded to me as perfectly as Grace’s tiny form does. Her breasts press against my back as her thighs settle along either side of my hips, allowing me to feel her heat.
Jesus, Judge. You need to get laid. And fast.
The ride to the clubhouse takes about fifteen minutes. Kevin and Natalie are outside with GP’s old lady, Blair, and their dog, Walter. They all pause in their game of fetch and watch as I back my motorcycle at the front of the line, their faces frozen in shock.
Kevin’s face twists in confusion. And maybe even betrayal. “What’s she doing here?” he asks.
Taking Grace’s hand, I help her off the seat. Her cheeks are pink from the ride, and her hair is wild beneath the helmet.
Once she’s on her feet, I take her hand, completely ignoring how soft her skin is, and lead her toward the kids.
Walter, likely sensing the tension in the air,