Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 93698 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93698 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
But it would also make the rest of her life more difficult.
So, yes, Ledger could be that calf, but Kyra was not rejoining that herd.
“It’s late. You need to go.”
“Babe…”
She shook her head. “No, Zeke, you don’t get to call me that anymore. I’m not your babe. I’m your son’s mother. That’s it. Please respect that.”
His mouth worked like he was about to argue with her, but when he didn’t, she got suspicious. He was not a man to give up so easily.
“Wanna see my kid regularly. Not whenever you fuckin’ decide. He’s half mine, Ky.”
“Then I assume you’ll pay half his expenses, including his childcare.”
“Ain’t gonna need to pay for childcare once my family knows he exists.”
“Your family. Do you mean your immediate family, like your mom and dad? Or your DAMC family, including sweet butts and strippers? Because I want a say in who’s watching my son.”
He pursed his lips but didn’t answer right away.
Oh yeah, he was clearly scheming, so she quickly added, “Once he’s comfortable around you, we’ll let him know you’re his father. But not until then, Zeke. In the meantime, we need to set some rules.” When his mouth opened, she lifted a hand. “Think carefully before you say no to that. I could make you work for your time with him, even have visitations limited by a court order, and that wouldn’t turn out well for you due to your convictions and being a part of an MC. Hell, the president of an MC. Lily would probably agree with me about that. If you want this to go easily and in your favor, you’ll agree to the rules. They’ll also be in your son’s best interest.”
“Fuckin’ rules,” he muttered. “What are they?”
At least he was willing to hear them. But of course, she wasn’t prepared. “How about I come up with a list and we set another date for you to spend time with Ledger and we can go over them?”
“Not likin’ this, ba— Ky.” His expression looked like he accidentally tasted some shit thinking it was chocolate.
“It’s not about you. It’s about my son.”
“Our son.”
“That’s right, and you should be concerned with his welfare, too.”
“Tomorrow.”
Her head jerked back. “Tomorrow what?”
“Wanna see Ledger tomorrow. Bring him by Church. Wanna show him his roots. Then we can discuss those fuckin’ rules. Be prepared for some negotiation.”
“I want more time than—”
“Fuck that. You ain’t the only one makin’ fuckin’ rules. Tomorrow.”
She sighed. If agreeing to that got him out of her house, she’d work on that list tonight. “Fine. I’ll be there. I have to work in the evening, so it’ll have to be early. You’ll just have to kick out whoever’s in your bed before noon.”
“Should be you.”
“Been there, done that. Have the toddler to prove it.”
His nostrils flared and his jaws shifted. “Whatever.”
Relief flooded her when he spun on his boot heel and headed toward the door.
She followed to lock it behind him but before he opened it, he stopped and turned.
Now what?
Why did he have to continue to make this situation difficult for her?
“Hey, you ain’t interested in becomin’ a doctor, are you?”
Her head jerked back at that unexpected question. “What? Why?”
He shook his head. “Never mind. Just an idea I got. Where you workin’, anyway?”
“Right now I’m working per diem.”
“Per diem? What the fuck’s that mean?”
“It means I work where I’m needed. I get paid by the day since I don’t have a permanent facility here yet.”
“You wanna become a doctor, just lemme know.”
Before she could make sense of that, he walked out.
She watched the way his hips rolled as he headed toward his Harley. Those damn hips were just as smooth in bed, too.
Those memories caused a twinge in a place where she didn’t want to admit.
When he started his motorcycle, it was so damn loud he probably woke up the whole neighborhood.
After slipping on eye protection and tying a bandana around the lower half of his face, he turned his head to look at her for a moment, then gave her a two-finger salute and raced off into the night.
The famous line from the movie Ghost whispered through her head.
“You in danger, girl.”
Kyra had a feeling that Oda Mae Brown could not have been more right.
Chapter Fourteen
Zeke unlocked the cash register behind the bar at The Iron Horse Roadhouse, swiped a handful of twenties, and closed the drawer, making sure it was secure again. He stuffed the wad deep into his pocket before heading back through the commercial kitchen that separated Church from the public bar.
Vi had texted him about a half hour ago to tell him Kyra would be there soon. He had sent one of the prospects to keep an eye out so he could unlock the gate to let her park in the rear lot.
He had no fucking clue what the plan was this morning, he only knew he’d get to spend some time with his kid.