He’s good at what he does. No, he’s better than good. That swinging stoppie, using his bike as a weapon? Maybe half a dozen riders I’ve ever known could pull that off,withouthaving to hit a target.
The truth is, if he wasn’t lying naked in my bed right now, I would already have said yes.
So why am I delaying?
Because I still have doubts and questions.
Where does Declan go every Saturday? Why does a man like him join a gang like Briggs’s? How does two-years-and-change without a relationship translate to obsession with me in only twoweeks?
“You still there?” Kurt prods.
“Sorry, up a mountain. Surprised the signal is as good as it is, frankly.” I scowl at the nest of communication towers only a hundred yards away.
“Oh, so you gave me an answer?”
Shit.
“The answer’s yes, all right? We can trust him.”
“Come to the unit Sunday evening. Planning session.”
“Declan too? If he’s fit by then?”
“He will be. And yes, Declan too. We’ll go with your gut.”
“Wait, wait, wait.” I stop him before he hangs up. “You just agreed thatyoumake the calls on the crew.”
“I just did,” he replies. “And I’m basing it onyourcall. Let’s hope you’re right, huh?”
The line goes dead.
Great.
Yeah, let’s hope I’m right.
Declan’s lying on the couch when I walk back in, sweaty, tired, but glad of the exercise. He’s wearing a black T-shirt and shorts, reading a book. One of mine.
“Doing all right?” I ask.
“I’m good.” He nods to his leg. “Changed my dressing.”
The pad on it looks fresh, held with surgical tape rather than bandages.
“That’s great. And made it in here without crutches, too.”
“Not using them.” He turns back to the book, like the conversation’s done. It looks like he’s already a third of the way through.
“So… you like historical fiction romances?”
“Not really,” he says without looking up. “Limited options.”
He’s not wrong. I don’t have a lot of physicalbooks, they take up too much space. Most of my reading material is on my Kindle.
“Okay, then.” I pause, but he doesn’t say anything more. “Sorry I was an hour longer than I said.”
“No problem.” He still hasn’t made eye contact.
“Well, I’m going to take a shower.”
