“I thought nothing was hotter than a chick with a gun.” Arianne raised an eyebrow, but Sparky just laughed. “A chick with a gun on a bike … now, that would be something to see.”
Dawn stifled a laugh. Cade didn’t need to see her on a bike to chase after her. He used any excuse to get her in bed. Dressed for job hunting? Check. Dressed for a PTA meeting? Check. Undressed for the shower? Double check. Cleaning and unpacking their new house in her old sweats and ratty T-shirt? Check again. He thought she was sexy. Period. And there was nothing she could do that didn’t make him want her all over again.
She heard a squeal of laughter and spotted Cade playing with Maia and Tia and their new dogs. He’d brought them the two pups from a shelter in Whitefish—one each—and they were already a permanent part of the family. Although both girls adored him, Tia was his closest companion, always thinking up new ways to make him smile. He had suffered through countless of her baking disasters, but he never complained. He ate whatever she made and convinced even Dawn that it was the most delicious food he’d ever tasted.
“Hope you’re not giving Sparky a hard time.” Banks pulled a beer from the cooler and twisted off the top. “You should see these two at the bar. They think they run the place ’cause they’re old ladies. I need more staff. Normal people. Bikers are nothing but trouble.”
“That’s why you’re always at our parties.” Sparky grinned. “’Cause you hate us.”
“Just bein’ polite.” Banks sipped his beer. “You’re good customers, and I like to keep the customers happy.”
After catching up on club gossip, Dawn excused herself and went looking for Cade. She found him near the back fence with Zane, deep in conversation. Usually cold and distant, Zane greeted her with what looked suspiciously like a smile.
“Cade was just saying you have all the custody shit sorted out with your kids and they’re yours free and clear.”
“Yes, they’re all mine and no one will ever be able to take them away.” Warmth flooded her and she squeezed Cade’s hand, still needing the simple assurance that she had her happily ever after. “Deputy Benson worked out a deal. Shelly-Ann testified that the video was a setup, and we were able to use the PI’s confession to back it up. She also testified against a senator and some of the Brethren. In exchange Deputy Benson got her into witness protection with all charges against her dropped.”
“Richard sorted out all the legal stuff,” Cade said. “Family services, court case, custody order … and now he’s looking into adoption. I’m gonna have three ladies to look after.”
“I still have to pay you back for that,” Dawn said. “Even though he’s the club lawyer, he can’t be cheap.”
“You can pay me in other ways.” Cade reached down and pinched her ass. “We’ll start here and work our way up.”
“Beast.” She slapped his hand away and he pulled against his chest.
“You love my beastly side. Admit it.” His mouth came down hard and fast, and Dawn wound her arms around his neck. She loved that he wasn’t embarrassed by public displays of affection, although the girls teased her mercilessly every time they kissed.
“Okay. It’s hot.”
Cade nuzzled her neck. “How hot?
“Someone get these two a fucking hose.” Zane grabbed a beer from Hacker, who had been assigned the task of ensuring no biker was without a drink, and pointed at the fence. “There are children out there. Might corrupt their young minds.”
Dawn tore herself away from Cade to look. The boy peering in through the fence was no more than twelve, but tall and solidly built, his straight dark hair cut to his shoulders, and his skin a tawny gold.
“I don’t recognize him.”
“I’ll tell him to fuck off.” Zane took a step toward the fence and Dawn pulled him back.
“He’s young, Zane. And he has to belong to someone. He’s probably just shy and no threat. Let him be.”
“Kinda looks like you.” Cade clapped a hand on Zane’s shoulder. “You sure you’re off women? Maybe you got a coupla kids you don’t know about it.”
“If I had a kid, I’d know about it. And he wouldn’t be running around the streets without his damn dad.”
“Keep saying things like that and I might think you have a heart after all.” Cade clasped Dawn’s hand. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, I gotta take the old lady inside.”
“Cade…” She stopped in her tracks. “We can’t just leave our own party.”
“We did last time. And if I recall you weren’t complaining, babe. Screaming. But not complaining.”
Her body heated in an instant. “The girls…”
“Are in the middle of a yard full of Sinners. And I got a present for them. I want you to take a look.”
Dawn pressed her lips together. “If this is just another ploy to get into my pants…”