Roman's Vow (Riley's Pride #4) - Sandra R Neeley Page 0,106

ready to open for the evening. “So that’s it then,” he said, straightening up and taking note of the duffle Laz carried.

“Yeah, it’s about time I headed home,” Lazarus answered.

“Gonna miss you around here,” Patch said.

“You know? I’ll miss being here. But Jasper’s ready to take my place, and Candy’s got Lisa to help you now with the waitressing, too,” Lazarus said, trying to make both himself and Patch feel better about the fact that he was leaving.

“You’re right. We’re better off than when you found us, that’s for sure. And I been running it for years by myself. I can do it again,” Patch said, walking out from behind the bar to shake Lazarus’s hand.

Lazarus reached his hand forward to clasp Patch’s hand, then stopped and looked at him curiously when he felt something in Patch’s palm. He pulled his hand back and looked at the key Patch had given him.

“What’s this?” Laz asked.

“Ducati. I don’t need it anymore. Figured you could get more use out of it than I can. She deserves to have a rider that can drive her like she’s meant to be driven,” Patch said.

“Oh, Patch, man. I can’t accept this. She’s your bike, man,” Lazarus said.

“No, she’s yours now. Take her, or you’ll hurt my feelings,” Patch said.

Lazarus gave a crooked grin. “You got feelings, old man?”

“Yep, a few, little ones,” Patch said with a grin.

Lazarus nodded. “Thank you, Patch. You’re a good friend,” Laz said, holding up the key clutched tightly in his hand.

“So are you,” Patch said. “Drive safe, take your time, she’ll get you home.”

“I will. Thanks for everything,” Lazarus said.

He exchanged a man hug with Patch, then they walked through the kitchen and out of the back door of the bar. Lazarus came to a stop at the sight that greeted him.

Candy stood there, dressed in black leather pants, a black sweater and a black leather jacket. She had a small overnight bag with her.

“What are you doing?” Lazarus asked.

“I’m coming with you,” she answered.

“Like hell you are!” Lazarus shouted. Then he looked over at Patch. “You know about this?” he asked.

“No, but it’s probably my fault she’s here. I told her you’d be leaving early this morning,” Patch admitted.

Lazarus looked back at Candy.

“He told me he was giving you the bike. So I knew if I waited out here, you’d have to take me with you,” she said.

“Just because you waited until I was ready to leave, don’t mean you get to go with me,” Lazarus said.

Candy dropped all manner of bravado and let her overnight bag fall to the ground. “Please, Lazarus,” she said, looking at him honestly. “There’s nothing here for me. Nothing. All I’ll ever be is that easy piece over at the bar. I’ve got very little education and even fewer skills. Let me go with you. Give me a chance to start fresh wherever home is for you. I’m not asking you to support me, or to even take me as yours. Just take me with you so I have a fresh start.”

Lazarus pressed his lips into a fine line and looked at her skeptically.

“Please. I won’t be any trouble. And believe it or not, I can cook and clean. I won’t be a smart ass, and you know I can waitress, so if there’s a restaurant of any type, I can at least earn a few dollars until I can figure out what to do next. I don’t know,” she said, beginning to ramble, “I was thinking maybe school of some sort, or if I can get an office job somewhere. Just anything to put me in a better position than I'm in now…”

“Fine,” he said, running his fingers across his bald head.

“All I need is a chance…”

“I said fine!” Lazarus said, raising his voice.

Candy stopped rambling and looked at him dumbfounded. “You did?” she asked, hopefully.

“Lord help me, I did. But there’s rules, Candy. Lots of rules. If you don’t abide by them, I’ll put your ass back on a bus to here so quick you won’t know what hit you!” Lazarus said.

“I like rules!” she said excitedly. “Rules are good! Just tell me what to do and I’ll do it!”

“My people are a very private bunch,” Lazarus said.

“I’m planning on being every bit of private as private can get. New start, new life. The Candy you met doesn’t exist anymore, Laz,” she said.

“Alright. Don’t make me regret this, Candy. You put me on the outs with my people and I’ll spank