Chapter Ten

Leia blinked against the sunlight streaming in the window. She went to stretch and bumped into a hard, male body. Her heart skipped a beat, and she turned her head to see Brim passed out beside her, his muscular tattooed chest rising and falling evenly in sleep. The moment allowed her to admire his masculine physique and she pursed her lips as she slowly, carefully, lifted the sheet.

She blinked, as impressed with his southern border as she was with his northern.

Dropping the sheet like it scalded her, Leia quickly rose from the bed and smoothed down the t-shirt she wore. Tiptoeing toward the door, she opened it and saw her clothes neatly folded on the floor. She bent and picked them up, catching the scent of laundry detergent and realized Piper must have washed everything. Leia hurried to the bathroom to shower and change.

Twenty minutes later, she headed downstairs. Martha stood at the stove, cooking breakfast, and Piper sat at the island with her twins in separate highchairs, feeding them.

"Thank you for this," Leia said, gesturing to her clothes.

"It's the least I could do," Piper said with a smile. "What you did for us … that's what family does, and you're now part of this family."

The words brought tears to her eyes, and a warmth to her soul. As Leia sat down on a stool next to the children, Martha slid a plate in front of her. She smiled her thanks and picked up a slice of bacon to munch on. A minute later, Brim walked into the kitchen. He marched over to her and kissed the top of her head before sitting down next to her.

"We'll be heading out after breakfast," he announced.

"So soon?" Martha asked, sounding disappointed. "You haven't seen Striker yet."

"Tell him I said hello, but I've got to get back to my club."

She tutted and handed him a plate of food. "Guess I can't fault you for that. It's about time."

"Don't start, Ma."

She rolled her eyes and turned to start filling up the dishwasher.

"Kix is out at the garage, negotiating selling off the truck parts," Piper said. "That man can turn a profit out of anything."

"There are worse habits," Brim said with a smile.

"Spoken like a true MC president."

He gave a one-shoulder shrug. Martha set a cup of black coffee in front of him. He thanked her and took a sip.

"I don't know about you, but these clothes are the only ones I have," Leia said to him. "Can we stop by Wal-Mart before we get to your club?"

"Yeah," he said and took another sip. "That's a good idea. I'm going to head on out and say goodbye to Kix. Meet me by the bike in ten minutes."

She nodded and watched as he left out the back door. Conflict stirred through her mind. The desire growing for him warred with common sense. They'd only known each other for a few days so any type of intimacy deserved caution, but it was hard to keep her wayward thoughts morally grounded. Years ago, she had tried having a relationship, but when she'd seen the shadow of death on his shoulder, it hadn't ended too well. Brim wasn't anything like her ex-boyfriend, but it didn't diminish the hesitancy.

"Please come back anytime," Piper said.

Leia broke her stare at the back door to look at her. "Thank you."

Piper smiled. "It's I who should thank you. You saved my family, after all. I don't want to even think about what could've happened if you hadn't been here."

The praise made her slightly uncomfortable. "You believed me. That was thanks enough."

Martha came around the island and held out her arms. Leia blinked. She'd never had a parental figure want to give her a hug. Feeling awkward, she hugged her back. Warmth filled her, bringing an ache in her heart because she'd never known what she'd been missing until now. She could pretend all she wanted that she didn't need love, but the hug was nearly her undoing.

"Please come back," Martha whispered.

"I will."

****

Kix shook his hand. "If you ever want to step away from the Death Riders, I'm still needing a new V.P.."

Brim grinned. "Can't have two alpha males trying to be boss. I can send your brother."

"Fuck no," Kix said with a chuckle.

They walked back toward the front of the grandstand where Brim had parked his bike after the shootout. Leia stood next to it, chatting with Piper and his mother, and he couldn't seem to take his eyes off her. There had been something about her right from the start, but he never could've imagined she'd become so important so quickly.

"Mac is at your disposal if you need him," Kix said.

"Thank you. I have to be careful in my search. I was ambushed in a place no one should've known about, which means I was being followed."

"Well, with her by your side I have no doubt you'll find the traitor."

Brim silently agreed. Martha rushed over to him and hugged him tightly.

"I'm going to miss you," she murmured. "But I'm glad you have Leia."

He returned her hug. "Me, too."

"Thank you, Leia," Kix said, holding out his hand.

"You don't have to thank me," she replied as she took hold of it and shook firmly.

"If you need anything, anything at all, just let me know. I am in your debt."

Leia hugged Piper and Martha before Brim handed her a spare helmet. He climbed on the bike and waited for her to settle in behind him.

"Cardinal is about two hours away," Brim told her. "You going to be okay for that long?"

She wrapped her arms around his waist. "I'll hold on tight."

He grinned, patted her hand, then brought his bike to life. With a wave at Kix, Piper, and Martha, Brim revved the engine and off they went.