“She’s got a smooth gait, which is important for a kid learning balance.Nothing worse than bouncing around on a rough-gaited horse when you’re trying to find your seat,” I tell her.
“Bluebell reads riders well too.She won’t take advantage of Dylan’s inexperience like some horses might.”
I glance at Della, mildly impressed by her knowledge.It’s been so long since I’ve heard her talk about anything on the ranch.I guess I assumed she lost interest, but I was wrong.
“She’s not too tall either,” Della adds.
Agreeing, I hum.“Should be easy for Dylan to mount, and not so far of a fall if he does come off.”
“You think he will fall?”
I sigh.I think that’s inevitable.
“Everyone does at some point.But with Bluebell, it’s less likely.She’s as steady as they come.”
“I bet Amelia loved hearing that,” Della returns.
“I didn’t tell her.Don’t want her changing her mind before Saturday.”
Della laughs softly.“Smart.”
The conversation idles and two minutes later I pull into the compound of the Fallen Demons MC, eager to get this over with.I was hoping Lucifer would call yesterday.I waited around all day, thinking he could call at any time with a new deal, and I’d have to drop everything I was doing to meet with him.But it turns out he likes to keep things suspenseful too.I guess that puts us on even playing field.
I hook a right turn and park about twenty yards from the trailer.Shadow stands off to the side, leaning against his bike, his phone pressed against his ear.I kill the engine on my truck and turn to Della only to find her staring at Shadow through the windshield, her lower lip pulled tight between her teeth.
Not sure what that’s all about, but I chalk it up to nerves.Della is out of her element.Doing business with an outlaw motorcycle club is a far cry from sitting in an office, crunching numbers day after day.
“Hey, you ready?”I ask.
Della’s gaze snaps back to me and she unclasps her seatbelt.“As ready as I’ll ever be, I suppose.”
“Everything is going to work out,” I tell her.I’m not as confident as I sound, but I don’t see the point in worrying her any more than she already is.
“Just follow my lead and let me do the talking.I won’t agree to anything that jeopardizes your position as part owner of the ranch.”
“I know that.”
I nod.“Good.”My gaze cuts back to where Shadow stands, and I draw out a heavy sigh.“Let’s get this shit over with.”
We exit the truck and head for the trailer.Shadow pockets his phone as we near, and he steps forward.
“Shadow,” I greet, my eyes narrowing as he openly stares at my sister.
“Hey,” he replies.“Lucifer is already inside waiting.”
I nod, but it goes unnoticed by him as his eyes never leave Della’s.I don’t know what the fuck that’s all about, but after this meeting, he and I are gonna have a talk.Shadow’s a good guy, but he’s not exactly the guy you want dating your sister.He’s a commitment phobe, and sleeps with anything that walks.
Without another word, I grunt and climb the steps of the small porch leading to the trailer.When I reach the door, I turn to make sure Della is following, but I find Shadow standing with his back to me instead.Della stands at the base of the stairs in front of him, his fingers wrapped around her dainty little wrist, keeping her in place.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Shadow doesn’t turn to acknowledge me, but he does respond.
“I need a word with Della.We’ll just be a minute.You don’t want to keep Lucifer waiting.”
Not a fan of being dismissed, and I certainly don’t appreciate him cornering my sister for a chat.But starting a scene before meeting with his club isn’t a good look either.I bite the inside of my cheek, my eyes shooting over Shadow’s head to gage my sister’s reaction.She doesn’t appear to be frightened or even bothered by his aggressive behavior.If anything, she looks like she likes it.
Jesus fuck.
