Page 22 of Bowser (Dragon Riders MC 2)
“Can I ride along and help?”8HopeListening to them bicker was like listening to a bunch of old ladies trying to get their way for afternoon tea. I mean, their fucking motorcycles woke me up from a dead sleep at a quarter to midnight. Did they really think I’d sleep through them arguing, too? These walls weren’t as thick as some might figure. Even though I didn’t catch the beginning of the meeting, I made my way to the closed door and stood there with just enough mental energy swirling around to clock the plan they were crafting. It made me smile, too. I knew Bowser was smart, but his plan really was a good one. In some ways, I was proud of him. Proud that he was finally stepping up and taking control of this situation. I was ready to get on with my life. Ready to make something of myself and craft a life I could be proud of.
Like my sister had done with hers.
But the longer I stood at the closed hallway door, the more unimpressed I became. I heard Link’s hard voice through the door. That man would’ve rather been with my sister than here, helping me. Like he said he would. It made me sick to my stomach. Joanna would be infuriated with him if she knew the kinds of things he said to Bowser right now. Part of me wanted to charge in there and defend his honor. Especially when he started questioning Bowser’s motives for wanting to move me in with him.
A statement that made my gut jump with delight.
It was clear to me that my sister had already talked with Link. And it was very obvious that Link knew something was going on between Bowser and myself. I didn’t want to get the man in trouble, but damn it, I was a woman with needs. People should’ve been happy for me, you know? That I could go through what I went through with Skeleton and still open myself up like that for someone. Hell, I didn’t think it would ever happen. I didn’t think I’d ever care for another man ever again, much less want to strip myself down for him.
And here I was with Bowser, wanting all of it. Wanting more of it. Wanting as much of it as he could provide.
I thought that was a victory.
But apparently, I was alone in that argument.
I pressed my ear up to the door and held my ground. I closed my eyes and drew in deep breaths as the guys talked about tweaking the plan and using bait or whatever. It sounded like a good plan. It sounded like one that would work. I wanted to help, though. I wanted to have a hand in taking Skeleton down. I wanted to stare that man in the face and smile once he was down on his knees with a fucking gun to his head.
Like he had done to me so many times.
Then, it happened. A voice I didn’t recognize spoke up and said something about a ride. About leaving town for a while in order to get things set up. There. That was it. That was how I could help. I could get myself out of this damn cabin, get out there for a ride, spend some time with Bowser, and be of use instead of a burden. I was tired of being a burden. I was tired of being the person people always had to save.
So, the rest of my self-control flew out the window as I inched the hallway door open.
As I padded softly through the kitchen.
As I stood at the edge of the living room, staring at a bunch of big dudes situated in a circle.
“Can I ride along and help?” I asked.
Everyone froze except Ash. He slowly turned his head toward me, his lips pursed with silence. The man really didn’t talk much. And as far as I heard, he hadn’t spoken at all during this little meeting of theirs. Still, he was the first to face me. He was the first to acknowledge me with a nod of his head.
And he was the first one to talk to me.
“Why?” he asked.
I shrugged. “Why else? So, I can help.”
A slender man shook his head. “You can’t help. Not on this.”
“I’m sorry, who are you again?” I asked.
The lean man snickered. “I’m Sly.”
I nodded. “Right. Sly. I get that you don’t know me other than the trouble I’ve gotten myself into with this whole mess. But trust me, I’m much more useful out there than I am in here.”
Link shook his head. “Joanna would kill me if I sanctioned something like this.”
“Nice to know you’re already pussy-whipped, then.”
Bowser chuckled as Link’s eyes widened before I cleared my throat.
“I’m not asking to take over this project or head-up my own rescue mission. All I’m asking is to ride with you guys, come along, and help out where I can. Because trust me, if you’re going to try and convince women to dangle themselves as bait for a man like Skeleton? You’re going to want them looking into the face of the woman you’re trying to save. It’s going to be more powerful if I’m there, and I’m going to be able to seal those deals with them more than you guys ever will. That, I can promise.”
