Page 50 of Link (Dragon Riders MC 1)
Link nodded. “Deal.”
And while I wasn’t okay with this deal at all, I also wasn’t stupid enough to override anything. If it put Hope somewhere safe and got her the protection of the Dragon Riders? I was all for it.
So long as she held up her end of the bargain.19Link“So, run me through one more time what’s happening?”
Bowser’s voice caught me off-guard and I turned around in my chair. I furrowed my brow and motioned for him to step into my office as I kicked myself back. With my ankles crossed on top of my desk and my hands threaded behind my head, I reclined back as Bowser closed my office door.
Before sitting in front of my desk.
“You’ll have to be more specific than that,” I said.
Bowser snickered. “Been a while since we’ve been this busy, huh?”
“I mean, would you really have it any other way?”
He grinned. “Not a fat chance in hell. And while we’re at it, you might as well walk me through all of it.”
I sighed. “Joanna’s sister, Hope, has agreed to stay in the clubhouse so long as she’s got daily protection.”
“And why isn’t she having a nightguard?”
“Because she’s apparently proficient with a gun, and that was her stipulation. She wouldn’t take our protection unless she was guaranteed some sort of privacy in all of this, which I get.”
“She’s worried we’re going to be like them, isn’t she?”
I shrugged. “Can you blame her?”
He shook his head. “No, I can’t.”
“I told her we’d issue her a gun with some ammunition she could have overnight, should something happen. But I don’t plan for that clubhouse to be completely alone with her in it at night.”
He paused. “So, what are you really planning?”
“You know that damn thing sits out in the middle of nowhere.”
“Yeah?”
“Well, it gets dark out there in the middle of those woods and shit. It won’t be hard to post someone to keep an eye on the front door without Hope knowing it.”
“You sure that’s a smart idea? Sounds more like you’re going back on your word, which I think is pretty important right now.”
“I’d rather have the woman be mad at me than be dead on my watch.”
He nodded. “Point taken.”
“She’ll get her privacy because no one will be hovering around her at night. But the front door won’t be left unguarded. She’ll have her gun to make her feel safe, and someone will keep an eye on things from the woods until further notice.”
“Does Joanna know about that part?”
“I haven’t told her yet, no. But I plan to. Once her and Hope aren’t talking multiple times a day on the phone.”
He chuckled. “That might take a while.”
I slid my feet off my desk. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure Joanna knows. But you know as well as I do that we can’t just leave her at that massive place all night without someone there.”
He nodded. “I know. I’m actually kind of relieved you’ve got that turning around in your mind. Because it’s one of the things I wanted to bring up with you.”
“I take it you have more things you want to bring up with me?”
He sighed. “Moving her in? Really, Link?”
I blinked. “Do you somehow think you have a say in that?”
“No, no. It’s not that. It’s just—”
I settled my forearms on top of my desk as I watched him gather his thoughts.
“It’s obvious the two of you are head over heels for one another. Which is great. Really. I’m happy for you.”
“But…?”
He licked his lips. “But doesn’t that mean you’re going to be a bit preoccupied with your new company to really make sure Hope is taken care of?”
I saw what he was getting at. “I already have that covered, too. For the first week or so, at least, everyone except me will be taking shifts watching over Hope.”
“Okay. So, you’ve considered that. Wonderful.”
I grinned. “I wouldn't leave someone high and dry like that. I know Joanna’s going to want some time with me. And I want some time with her. I’m not ignorant to that fact.”
“Guess I just wanted to hear it straight from you.”
“I can respect that.”
But I had the feeling that wasn’t all on Bowser’s mind.
“Spit it out,” I said.
He placed his elbows on his knees. “Don’t you think it’s going to be hard for her to stay an attorney and still be part of our world?”
I considered his question. “We have talked about it, yes.”
“I can’t deny that some of the guys—as well as myself—are concerned about what might happen to us with a lawyer in the family. Not that we aren’t happy for you. But if she happens to stumble upon something she shouldn’t, is she going to have the loyalty and dedication not to do something about it?”
I saw the reason for his worry, but I honestly thought it was unfounded.
