“Are y’all going to stand there staring or is someone going to help me get out of this contraption?” Granny yelled from the sidecar.
Ava hurried back to the bike. “Sorry, Granny.” She held out her hand and the older woman took it.
“Don’t rush me. I’m an old lady.” Granny unfolded herself from the sidecar and climbed out. She tugged her white plastic purse out and slung it over her shoulder.
Jayden was shocked to see her dressed in jeans and a leather jacket. He’d never seen his Granny wear anything other than muumuus.
“You’re not old, Granny.” Damon sighed and shook his head like he was running out of patience.
Jayden inclined his head to his fellow Guardians. “You drove all the way with Granny riding in a sidecar? How long did that take?”
“We left this afternoon. We would have gotten here earlier if we didn’t have to stop at every rest area for her to go to the bathroom. I swear she’s got a bladder the size of a peanut.”
Jayden stared at his bike and shook his head. “Dude, there’s a sidecar on my Harley.”
Damon slapped him on the back. “Don’t worry, brother. It comes off.”
Thank God for that.
“Jayden!” Granny rushed forward and pulled him into a fierce hug. She pulled back and frowned as she eyed his car.
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Don’t tell me anything. Your car has been vandalized.” Granny turned her eye on Barrett. “Is he on some kind of dangerous mission here?”
“He’s always on some kind of mission, Granny. Part of being a Guardian.” Barrett glared at Granny. But Jayden knew the old lady wasn’t scared of her new Pack Master.
“I’m going to speak to the police.” Barrett called over his shoulder and headed toward the cluster of cops eyeing their motorcycle group with suspicion.
Jayden started to say they were not going to tell him any information but to his surprise, Barrett whipped out something that looked like a badge and flashed it to the nearest cop.
The cop straightened and immediately led him over to the investigator in charge.
Jayden shook his head and made a mental note to ask what kind of badge Barrett had whipped out.
Zane, Jaxon and Lucien secured the perimeter of the parking lot. Jayden knew they were trying to pick up any lingering scent or clues the stalker might have left.
“Why haven’t you called?” Granny’s asked.
Guilt surged in his gut. Granny was his only living relative and had practically raised him. He wasn’t sure why he hadn’t called. Ever since the night of the rescue he’d been pulling back from those who cared about him, needing to protect them from the hell he’d been through.
“I’m sorry, Granny. This mission had my mind focused on other things. I should have called. I’m sorry.”
Granny’s frown softened and she glanced over his shoulder. “Are you sure? Would Haley have anything to do with why you are so distracted?”
Jayden shook his head.
“Why not? I see the way she looks at you.” “She’s too young for me. She’s still in college.” Those words made his throat ache.
Granny cocked her head. “And she’s probably the most mature of all the girls I’ve seen you date.”
“What?” Jayden snapped his head up.
“You heard me. Those other older women were silly and were not good enough for you.” Granny’s gaze rested on Haley. “Now, Haley, on the other hand, seems very grounded and knows what she wants. It seems your taste in women has finally improved.”
Jayden’s mouth dropped. He expected his Granny to tell him Haley was too young for him and how she needed to live before settling down.
Granny never ceased to surprise him.
Granny patted him on the shoulder. “I’ll go say hello to her.” Her lips quirked up in the corner. “Oh, and I need to tell her I brought her order with me.”Before he could say anything, his sex toy-selling Granny ambled over to Haley and pulled her into a hug.
Braxton stood a few feet away watching over her like a mother hen while he kept his eyes on the surrounding area. Damon stood beside him talking with that stern expression on his face and those damn Oakley’s. They looked quite the pair. Braxton with his blue-tipped hair and covered in tattoos while Damon sported his sunglasses and leather jacket with his long scar running down his face.
Human’s probably thought they were part of some biker gang.
To Jayden they were his brothers and he would gladly lay down his life for any of them.
His gaze drifted to Haley. Granny had her arm around Haley’s shoulder while Ava said something. Whatever Ava said had Haley smiling a little.
Haley met his gaze. Did she have any idea what she did to him?
His feet had taken over and were walking in her direction, some unseen force pulling him to her.
“Are you ready to go home?”