Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 49530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
“Congratulations!” Elizabeth called, rushing to his side. “You both danced amazingly.”
“Thank you, Elizabeth. I appreciate you letting me borrow Talon for the competition,” Margaret said with a smile.
“Hi, Buttercup.” Talon greeted her with a kiss. He looked tired but happy.
Keeping Elizabeth at his side, Talon handed over a stack of business cards and promotional postcards to Steele. “All these people are interested in joining the Shadowridge Guardians,” he shared.
“Do they expect we’ll have a dance team now?” Steele growled as he looked through the cards.
“Probably. Don’t worry. All the dancers will forget about us by next week. I told everyone the first step was to check the requirements online and fill out the application. That will weed out some more,” Talon predicted.
“I’m starving. I don’t suppose anyone knows how to grill at that clubhouse of yours,” Margaret asked.
“Definitely,” Gabriel assured her. “Let’s head back there for a celebration.”
“Only if you promise not to play Paso Doble music,” Talon warned.
“I won’t ask them to play anything,” Margaret assured him. “Can I catch a ride with one of you? I took a ride share from my hotel.”
Ink stepped forward to extend his arm. With her hand wrapped around his bicep, he led the way to where their bikes were parked.
“He remembers she’s married, right?” Talon asked, watching them walk away.
“He does. Don’t worry about your mom. Ink will take good care of her,” Elizabeth assured him. “Or we could swap and I could hold onto Ink on the way home.”
“Mom will be fine. You’re riding with me.” Talon nixed that idea.
“I should learn to dance like your mom so we could dance together,” Elizabeth blurted. She’d been worried Talon would want someone talented to compete with.
“You can take lessons if that is what you wish. I think we dance perfectly together already, Little girl. I’m not interested in competing anymore. Today was fun to help my mom but it takes more time than I’m willing to commit.”
“I probably couldn’t dance as well as your mother.”
“Hey. My mom started dance lessons at two. She entered her first competition when she was five. I’ll let her tell you how old she is, but she’s danced all my life, so you know that’s over twenty-five years. I would never expect or want you to train for competition dancing.”
“You mean, I’m too old.”
“Not to dance with me and have fun at The Hangout. That’s all I’m interested in—enjoying my gorgeous Little. Besides, I’d never let you past our door with those skimpy outfits on,” Talon told her.
“I’d have to keep everything shaved,” she teased.
“And I’d have to kill all the men in the audience. Steele frowns on violence inside the MC.”
“We better avoid that then. You’ll teach me more of your fun dance moves?” she asked.
“I can’t wait.”
Chapter
Twenty-One
Elizabeth walked halfway across the parking lot before stopping. There were seven members of the Devil’s Jesters arranged around her car. Instantly, her heart rate sped up.
“I thought we were past this,” she called as she selected Talon’s number on her phone. Without hesitating, she called it and touched the speaker button when he answered. “Talon, the Devil’s Jesters are here.”
Elizabeth ignored the slew of questions that followed, only answering two. “I’m safe and in the south parking lot.”
“The verdict came in this afternoon. My in-laws will receive supervised visits when they arrange them two weeks in advance. Jalinda and Jerome will remain living with me,” Slash reported in a booming voice.
“I’m glad the kids get to stay with you,” she said with a smile.
“Me, too. Tell that man of yours our truce is over. The Guardians need to keep their eyes peeled for the Devil’s Jesters,” Slash told her before taking a swig from a bottle she recognized as whiskey.
“You know the social workers will be checking in on you for months, right? Me telling them you’re driving under the influence will not be viewed positively.” Elizabeth hardened her voice to the one she used in court. “Any threat to me would also trigger a review by the judge.”
“That doesn’t stop me,” Vengeance yelled, taking a step forward.
“It does, Marion,” she said evenly.
“Marion?” One of the Jesters laughed at the name. “Who’s Marion?”
“That’s Vengeance’s birth name, Lester,” Elizabeth informed the sneering man, providing his name as well. “Yes, that’s right. I have everyone’s information on file in my office with a note to my assistant to turn that over to the police and search for you all first if anything happens to me.”
“They won’t believe you. We have friends in the force,” Vengeance blustered.
Hearing the rumble of approaching motorcycles, she maintained her bravado. “Picture this, guys. We’re standing in court and my lawyer asks me to stand up next to you. Five foot three inches vs six foot eight inches. And behind the bench? A female judge who went to law school with me. Whose friends are going to be the most help?”