Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Clara let out a dramatic huff, shaking her head even though her smile softened as she looked between us. “Fine, you two can bond over your ridiculous security measures. I’ll just get back to actually running the orchard.”
Larry laughed warmly, nudging his daughter with an affectionate elbow before he turned to help Cross and Kevlar with the gear. “Come on, boys. Let’s get this show on the road.”
The next several hours were spent strategically placing cameras along the property lines and installing subtle sensors near the entrances. Wizard worked his magic, his fingers flying across his tablet screen as he programmed the security system in Clara’s apartment. We set up discreet alarms on her windows and reinforced the locks on her doors, leaving nothing to chance.
By the time the afternoon sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting long golden shadows across the orchard, the security setup was complete. Echo wiped sweat from his brow, shooting me a satisfied nod. “We’re good. Anything moves out here, you’ll know about it.”
I inclined my head, feeling some of the tension ease in my chest. “Appreciate it.”
Cross stretched, looking around the orchard before his gaze landed pointedly on me. “So, this mean we get a lifetime supply of the orchard’s famous pies?”
Clara laughed, rolling her eyes as she folded her arms over her chest. “Depends on how you behave from now on. Don’t forget, I’m the one in charge of those pies.”
Cross smirked, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “Noted. I’ll be on my best behavior.”
Wizard snorted, muttering without glancing up from his tablet. “That’ll be a first.”
Cross looked at him incredulously. “You tried one of those sweet-potato pies? I’d go back to confession for unlimited access to the bakery here.”
I rolled my eyes and shoved Cross toward their vehicles. “Only one with unlimited anything when it comes to Clara is me.”
I grinned when Clara blushed hard and squirmed.
Kevlar, Echo, and Wizard shot me knowing grins, but they had no room to judge since they were just as possessive of their women. Cross harrumphed like a spoiled child instead of a tough-as-fuck biker. Honestly though, I couldn't blame him entirely. Kathy had sent me home with some of Clara’s treats the last time I’d been there. They were almost as delicious as my girl’s mouth.
The guys headed back toward their bikes and the SUV, engines rumbling as they pulled away from the farm. As the dust settled, Clara stepped closer, looking up at me with an expression without any of the teasing and bravado from earlier.
“Thank you.” Sincerity filled her voice. “I know I gave you a hard time, but it really means a lot that you’re willing to do all this just to keep the orchard and farm safe.”
“This place is important to you, which means it’s important to me.” I brushed a strand of hair away from her cheek, my fingertips grazing her soft skin. “But you know that wasn’t why I did this. How many times do I gotta remind you that I protect what’s mine, baby?” My thumb brushed gently over her bottom lip. “Just so we’re clear. That includes you.”
Her eyes widened slightly, her lips parting on a quiet breath, then she smiled softly, and leaned into my touch.
The possessive heat in my chest burned even hotter, settling deep as I pulled Clara against me, savoring the way her soft curves melted into the hard planes of my chest. I let myself linger for a moment, inhaling her subtle scent of apples, honey, and something distinctly her before I reluctantly eased back, giving her space I didn’t really want to offer. Then we went back to work, and though I hated to leave her at the end of the day, I knew it still wasn’t the right time to push for more.
The rest of the day was a blur of activity, and I found myself right in the thick of it at Winslet Orchard and Farm. I was deep into preparations alongside Clara’s family, hauling crates, arranging hay bales, and setting up stalls for vendors who’d be arriving soon to get ready before the event kicked off in the late morning on Saturday. It was a great distraction from the situation I was dealing with for the club.
Information on more suspicious activity at the so-called training facility trickled in from our surveillance. They operated mostly at night. Vehicles with plates from foreign countries—ones we’d been able to identify because they’d only done a half-assed job obscuring them—arrived periodically. But we quickly discovered the plates were fake anyway.
Cross was working on identifying the vehicles since that was his area of expertise. He ran the MC’s garage and was sought out for his custom work, but what he didn’t advertise was his skill at scrubbing and chopping vehicles. He’d picked up the talent during his misspent youth, but now we made use of it for different operations, though they were no less legal.