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She didn’t even want to think about what would happen if Viper saw Rick cross a line with her. Would he get jealous or angry and do something about it?

He’d let her handle it herself last night. He’d have stepped in if she’d needed him.

But he hadn’t lost his head and gone all caveman, so she knew he’d help without making things worse.

Her dad gave her a quick hug. “Everyone is in the loop now about Rick. Anything else you want to share?”

“No.” She was going to abide by M’s request and keep their new relationship to herself and see where things went from here.

“Okay, then. I think it would be wise if you let at least one of us know where you are at all times. Just in case,” her dad said.

“All our schedules are posted on the calendar system we use,” she pointed out. “But if I go somewhere, I’ll let someone know.”

“Thank you.” Her dad kissed her on the head. “I’ll leave you all to it, then. Jax, a word.”

Jax followed their dad around the building to the parking lot.

Aria and Melody stayed with her.

“How serious is this?” Aria asked. “Is this guy stalking you?”

“I don’t know. But it feels creepy enough that I made sure Dad knew what was going on.”

“I think you should use Viper,” Melody suggestedagain. “That dude is scary enough to make Rick back off.”

“I’m notusinghim.” She didn’t like how that sounded or felt. “Do you really think Viper’s scary?”

“Intense,” Aria supplied. “Not mean, or anything. At least, I’ve never seen him be that way. I mean, he did throw Dan out the door when I caught him cheating, but he didn’t rough him up or anything. He just forced him to leave.”

“Yeah,” Melody agreed. “He’s just a big dude with attitude. But not in a bad way. Like I wouldn’t want to cross him, but I also don’t think he’d go out of his way to hurt someone. We’ve seen guys like that in the bar, who are just looking for a fight. He’s not like that.”

“No, he’s not.” And she was glad her sisters saw that, too.

Aria held Lyric’s gaze. “You really like him.”

“There’s something there,” she confirmed because they already knew it.

Melody bounced on her toes. “You two have been circling each other for a while now. You should do something about it, because he doesn’t seem like he’s going to make a move, but I can totally tell he wants you.”

“We’ll see.” She left it at that because she couldn’t tell them about last night. She didn’t like keeping things from her sisters. They shared nearly everything. But she’d promised M.

For now, she’d keep that promise. And if later he still couldn’t trust her with his secrets, then she’d have to decide if the relationship was worth it.

Chapter Seven

Viper was sitting at one of the tables in the back at the Wild Wolves clubhouse keeping an eye on Spike, who seemed unaffected that he was going to murder someone in a couple of hours.

They weren’t the only ones hanging out today. A few of the guys he worked with on construction jobs were playing poker in the corner. The weather meant fewer jobs in the winter for them. He liked the work. Up early, done early, he had the evenings with his buddies here to work on their bikes in the shop out back, or just hang in the club playing pool, darts, poker, or pinball.

Some of the guys were married or had girlfriends, so the place was usually filled with people at night.

When he didn’t need to be here, he preferred the Dark Horse Dive Bar. Good music, food, drinks. And Lyric.

He’d wanted to call her first thing this morning, but he’d had to meet up with his brother and tell him about what was going down tonight.

It took every ounce of willpower he had not to go and see her and kiss her again.

Last night had not gone as planned. He’d wanted to apologize for not showing up for dinner. He hadno idea she’d thought it was a date. Like a real date. Dumbass that he was, he’d opened his mouth and poured out his feelings for her. Not in so many words, but enough that she got the point. He wanted to be with her, even if it wasn’t a good idea right now. But he couldn’t pass up this opportunity. Not when he had a shot at being with her.