Page 76 of The Riders’ Reign

“Can’t we have sliders and chicken wings instead?” I plead.

She turns a sharp gaze on me. “You know, for someone who loves to rescue animals, Ace, you sure do like to eat them.”

My jaw drops. I can’t believe she just said that. It’s not my fault I was born as a meat eater.

With those cutting words, she walks off fast toward the clubhouse. “I’m going to talk with the ol’ ladies and see what we can come up with.”

I turn to Ghost. “Looks like we’re having a picnic.”

Two days later, we’re loading the bikes up with the stuff we’ll need. Blankets. Towels. Cushions. And a huge-ass picnic basket that we ordered online. Due to my amazing abilities as Road Captain, I’ve found a perfect spot. It’s a field with a river running through it, which is picture-perfect, but also seems safe. I scouted it out yesterday. It’s not too far from the compound, so the rest of the guys could get to us in a matter of minutes, if needed. Even better, it’s surrounded by woods with no clear path through, so we’re unlikely to be disturbed.

The day is sunny, but there’s a slight nip in the air. We’re wearing hoodies under our cuts, and Camile has on the prettiest baby pink sweater that I just want to rip off her body.

Ghost finishes tying the picnic basket to the back of his bike.

Surprisingly, he’d been the one to go shopping with her for all the things she needed. He’d gone with her to town, trailed by a few guys at a distance, who watched to make sure they were safe.

“Is it secured?” Camile asks, her worried gaze fixed on the basket.

“Darling, it’s so secure that not even a tornado would remove it.”

This afternoon, we will have an innocent picnic with our girl, then tonight will be debauchery. This evening, there’ll be a big party at the compound with both the clubs coming together to drink and dance and celebrate. In two days, Jack’s old club members will travel back to their chapter, so we’ll have to say goodbye.

It will seem strange not to have them around. Phoenix, particularly, seems like the kind of guy we could use around here.

We climb on our bikes—Camile riding with Jack, me leading from the front—and travel at a slow, steady pace to the picnic spot. It’s a pretty day, and there’s no need to speed when we could be taking in the sights.

We arrive and park the bikes, then take the short walk through the woods to the place where the trees part, before opening into a pretty wildflower meadow with a river running through it. I doubt most people know this place exists.

Stepping into the meadow, Camile looks around, then runs to me to throw her arms around me. The scent of something sweet and seductive washes over me and I hold her tight.

“What was that for?” I ask when we break apart.

“For finding us the perfect spot. It’s so pretty.”

I’m staring right at her. “Yes, it is.”

“I mean the view, silly.” She slaps my arm.

“So do I.”

Her giggles are contagious.

Jack is watching us, but his expression is unreadable. I still have daily worries that he will get pissed at sharing her and want her all to himself.

What would Camile do then? If forced to choose, would she pick us? Or him? I have a deep-down terror that we’d lose out in that situation, though she’s reassured me several times that she’s already had the conversation with Jack, and he’s promised he’ll demand no such thing.

“Okay, let’s get the picnic basket set up.” Camile goes up onto her toes and bounces like an excited kid.

I can’t help but smile at her giddiness.

“Anyone would think we’d bought you a diamond ring, not a picnic basket.” Ghost nudges her, but the minute he says it, the atmosphere between us changes.

Jack pauses from where he’s spreading out a large blanket. “If anyone is buying Baby-girl a ring, it’s me.”

Fuuuuck. My stomach dips.

“But we can choose it together.” He winks to us, and the tight band around my chest eases a whole lot.