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“Can we go somewhere less smoky? Maybe outside?” Her father was outside, but Spark didn’t have to know that. Granted, there was a chance he’d turn tail and run once he saw Shadow was with her, but it was a chance she was willing to take.

He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I don’t know that I trust myself to be alone with you.

The past few weeks…” He sighed. “It’s been hell without you, Mina.

You’re constantly on my mind and I wake several times a night, reaching for you.

My beast knows you’re supposed to be there, lying beside us, and I think he’s pissed at me for not making it happen. ”

She reached out and lightly gripped his arm, giving him a slight tug. “Come on. Let’s go talk.”

He seemed to meekly follow her and she wondered what happened to her badass biker while she was gone.

Spark looked like a shell compared to the man she’d left behind.

Surely her leaving hadn’t bothered him that much.

Maybe he was kicking his own ass over letting her slip away?

She’d never know if he didn’t talk to her.

They stepped out onto the porch and let the doors close behind them.

“What made you come back, Mina? If your father knew where you were…” He let the words trail off and she studied him in the moonlight.

“Daddy knows where I am. Don’t worry about that. As to why I came back, why wouldn’t I return to my mate?”

He winced. “We can’t be mates, Mina. You’re a Silver Skull, the princess of the pack.

I’m beneath you, and even if you father would give his blessing, where would we live?

I can’t take you from your pack and drop you into an MC where women are slim to none.

There are only two other mates right now.

When the older members decided to start a new charter in Florida and retire, they took the mates with them.

Only single males are left in the Steel Riders. ”

“Why don’t you let me worry about where I want to live?” she asked with a hand propped on her hip. “Quit trying to make decisions for me. You did that before when you ran away and now you’re doing it again. Did it not occur to you that maybe I came here to live with you?”

“Mina, I don’t hold rank in the Steel Riders. I’m not an officer of the club. Why would your father approve of me?”

She moved closer to him, placing her hands on his chest. “Because you love me,” she said softly. “You can’t deny it. I can see that my leaving was hard on you. It’s been hard on me too.”

“You’re awfully damn pretty for someone who’s been torn up over our separation.”

“Is that you’re way of telling me you still think I’m beautiful?”

“It’s only been three weeks. It’s not likely I’d have changed my mind in such a short amount of time. You’ll always be gorgeous to me, Mina.”

“Spark, you have to talk to me and tell me what’s wrong. You can’t deny that you’re different than when I left.”

He smiled faintly. “You mean I look like hell. I haven’t been sleeping, and not just because of you not being in my bed.

My club was so furious when they found out what I’d done, they almost kicked me out.

I spent a week cooling my heels, not allowed to attend any club events or meetings, wondering if my life was pretty much over.

They’re letting me stay, but I’m on probation of sorts.

If I so much as screw in a lightbulb wrong in the next year, I’m out. ”

Her father stepped out of the shadows and stopped behind Spark. “Do you love my daughter?”

Spark flinched and turned to face Shadow. “I feel something for her, sir, but I have no idea what love feels like. I know that I want her in my life, that I want her face to be the first thing I see every morning. But is that love?”

Shadow folded his arms over his massive chest. “My Mina deserves someone to love her and worship the ground she walks on. She also deserves a man and not a mouse. You sound more like a mouse right now.”

Spark didn’t deny the charge.

“Your club is giving you trouble?” Shadow asked.

“Not exactly. I brought it on myself by claiming Mina without your permission, and behind their backs. She was entrusted into my care and I betrayed everyone by letting my beast rule me. He knew she was our destined mate and couldn’t hold back from claiming her.”

Shadow’s lips twitched, but he didn’t smile. “If I know my daughter, she didn’t make it easy on you. Once she sets her mind on something, she’s like a dog with a bone. Or more accurately, a wolf with a freshly killed deer. She doesn’t let go.”

“No, sir. She doesn’t,” Spark agreed. “But I don’t hold her responsible for my actions. If you’re going to punish someone, it should be me. Don’t take it out on my club.”

“Boy, if I was going to go after your club, I’d have done it by now.

And frankly, I think your Pres is a snot-nosed, whiny child for punishing you for following your instincts.

Sometimes our beasts have to rule us, especially if a mate is near.

Your Pres is obviously not mated since he doesn’t understand that concept.

Mine may be gone, but I remember what it was like being around her when we were young.

She was taken from us too soon, and I doubt I’ll ever find another mate.

” He shrugged. “But it doesn’t mean I don’t remember what love feels like.

I saw the look in my daughter’s eyes when she talked about you.

She loves you, even if you aren’t so sure.

Maybe you need some time to figure it out. ”

“I don’t understand. You’re taking Mina away again?” Spark asked.

“No, son. I’m going to take you away. I think you need to come spend some time with the Silver Skulls. Get to know Mina better, introduce yourself to her brothers—who don’t know about you by the way, so expect some trouble there.”

“I’m not sure my club will agree…”

Shadow waved away his concern. “You let me worry about those overgrown children.”

“Yes, sir. If you can work things out, I’d be honored to stay with your club and spend more time with Mina. I just hope the Steel Riders don’t decide they’re better off without me while I’m gone.”

Shadow patted him on the shoulder. “I’m sure everything will work out fine with your club, but if they do ever kick you out, you make sure you come pay me a visit. There will always be a place for you with the Silver Skulls. No way I’m letting my only daughter’s mate go without a brotherhood.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Now. You go pack. Take Mina with you. She can place your bags in her car, and then you can follow her back to the homestead. You’ll have to be with her to get through the gate anyway.”

Spark nodded and moved down the steps toward his bike.

“You don’t live here?” Mina asked.

“I have a small house not too far from here. It’s probably not what you’re used to.”

Mina took his hand. “I’m sure I’ll love it.”

Spark smiled, kissed the back of her hand, and then walked her to her car before climbing on his bike and heading for home.

Mina followed, wondering if things were going to fall apart when they reached her house and her brothers got wind of the fact she was mated.

Looking back, maybe she should have prepared them.

Spark didn’t look like he was in any kind of shape to deflect them right now.