up in bed in our room here at the B&B, and made sure he didn't have to lift a finger for a damn thing.
"Just the country roads right outside of town," I assured him from where I watched in the doorway.
"Someone else should go with you," he said. "Gunner or Shadow, at least."
"Gun's setting up patrols with the Sons around City Hall," I reminded him. "And Shadow has a tattoo appointment."
"Then consider doing this another time," he huffed. "Mari can learn to ride whenever, preferably when we don't have fucking assassins in the city."
"We'll be fine," Mari told him, cleaning up her supplies as she finished dressing his wound. "And still close by if anything does happen."
"Well, how long you gonna be gone for?"
"No more than two hours," I said. "Just a quick spin, then she'll come right back to dote on you, your Majesty."
Reaper frowned, the lines in his face deepening as Mari cupped his cheek and leaned her forehead on his.
"I need a break, love. It's been an intense couple of days and Josh still needs to be monitored. Just two hours on the bike for some fresh air, then I can get back to my patients."
The tension in his face smoothed just slightly. He brought his hands to the sides of her neck, staring at her for a moment before catching her mouth in a warm kiss.
"You know it's not about that. I just want you safe."
"There are few places more safe than with Jandro on an empty stretch of road," she said, pulling away slowly. "You rest up and don't worry, Rory."
"Ugh, fine. Get gone if you're gonna call me that." He swatted her side, prompting her to get up and duck under my arm on her way out of the room. When I turned to follow her, Reaper called out, "Hang on a second, 'Dro."
I approached his bedside in a few steps. "Yeah?"
The hard scowl returned, all the relaxed ease from Mari's presence gone. "Don't let her out of your sight for a second. Not even to check fluids on the bike. That's an order, do you understand me?"
"Yeah, man. Of course, but," I stared back at him, puzzled, "you know she's safe with me. Is this about the assassin or something else?"
He leaned his head back on the headboard, pinching his forehead with a groan. "I don't fuckin' know anymore. I'd much rather she stayed here but if you're gonna go, just do it and get it over with."
"Alright, dude." I turned to leave the room, choosing not to indulge in his overprotective crap today. "We'll see you in a couple hours."
Mari was already in my driver’s seat, helmet on and her slim fingers wrapped around my grips.
“Go ahead and turn her on,” I said, squeezing in behind her. The bike growled to life after only a bit of protest from the initial spark. That was a small concern. I really had to take cold weather maintenance into consideration up here. “Let her idle a bit and warm up.”
After a few moments, I coached Mari through easing back and out onto the road. The traffic was light this morning, despite Reaper’s concerns. Vehicles were still few and far between for most citizens, so most of them carpooled or walked the short distance to where they needed to be. Four Corners was still small enough to get to most places on foot, although that wasn’t likely to be true within the next few years.
I directed Mari outside of the town limits to the mostly-abandoned country road which had been a highway at some point. She would have been fine in town and probably would learn more navigating city streets, but I did promise Reaper.
“It’s all you, Mariposita.” I patted her waist. “Take us away.”
She relaxed into the seat, cautiously accelerating on the long, empty stretch of road before us.
“Go faster!” I yelled over the engine with a swat to her hip. “I wanna see you make a dust cloud.”
“Fuck off,” she shot back, but she was laughing. I missed the pretty sound and realized I hadn’t heard it in a few days.
I swatted her again, adding, “hyah!” like she was a horse and she shrieked with laughter.
“Stop, you’ll make me wobble the bike!” she cried.
“Nah, girl. You’re rock steady.” But I calmed and settled down behind her. “Here comes a bend in the road. Remember to lean into it.”
She took the turns beautifully, each one smoother than the last as she became more confident in