“Go ahead,” he said begrudgingly.
“I saw how what you did affected you; is that why your hair has gone so white? Because of what you’re able to do?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about—”
“I won’t tell anyone. I promise. I just want to know so I won’t be worried about you. Is your body aging like your hair?”
Greer sighed. “My hair’s white not because of what I can do, but what I see. The fuckers don’t like me looking at them. They are punishing me,” Greer gave a snarky sniff. “Fuckers know I loved my red hair, so they turned it white.”
Jewell smiled. “Could be worse. They could have made you go bald.”
“They wouldn’t do that. They know I’d blow my brains out if I lost my hair. They don’t want me there any sooner than I have to be. They hate my guts.”
Jewell pressed her lips together to keep from laughing then grew serious. “I doubt that. You’re a special man, Greer. Many men would lose sight of that and take advantage. Instead, you push people away. Because of you, I’m not afraid Michael is lost anymore. I know he’s waiting for me. How’s Mag doing?”
“Better.”
“I figured she might be after you balanced the scales for me. If you ever come to Queen City, let me know, and I’ll take you out to dinner.”
“I don’t plan to go gallivanting around. I’m content to stay here,” Greer said as his wife came back onto the porch, carrying another kitten.
“Damn, woman, how many cats did she have?” Geer complained.
“Five,” Holly answered, smoothing the hissing kitten’s fur.
Greer pinned her with a cunning smile. “The scales aren’t really balanced. Hurt my foot when I kicked your pa’s ass.”
Jewell already knew what was coming. “How can I make it up to you?”
Greer reached out and plucked the kitten out of Holly’s hand to put it in hers. “There you go. All balanced.”
Jewell snuggled the cat to her chest. She had always wanted a cat. “Thank you. I’ll take good care of him,” she promised.
“It’s a girl,” Holly said, giving her husband a withering stare.
“Well, we’ll be going now.” Jewell decided to cut and run before Holly took the kitten back.
“Hold on there a sec.” Greer glanced at his wife worriedly. “Could you tell Holly about what you said to me about me being a good man?”
Jewell smiled at Holly and saw what Greer, as a man, would never see. “I don’t have to. She already knows.”
Holding the kitten close, she stepped off the porch as Rory held the car door open.
“We need to stop and get some cat food on the way out of town,” she told him once he was in the driver’s seat as she settled the kitten down on her lap.
Starting the vehicle, Rory pulled out of the driveway then onto the main road to head around town. Jewell glanced out the window to see The Last Riders had gone inside, except for Nickel, who was guarding the door.
“Jewell, there is something I should tell you.”
“Hmm …?” She contentedly stroked the kitten. “What is it?”
“I should have told you before … but …” he began apologetically, and then his voice firmed. “And no matter how mad you get at me, I’m not letting you go,” he warned.
Jewell turned the kitten over to tickle her tummy. “What is it?” she asked absentmindedly.
“I’m a Predator. I was never going to give up my club for The Last Riders.”
“I know. Viper told me last night. He would never have let me leave without telling me the full truth about you.” Jewell teased the kitten with the tip of a nail.
“I’ve been worrying myself sick, and you knew?”
“Pretty much. When were you going to tell me?”
“When we were almost to Queen City. I wasn’t going to take a chance that you would get out.”
“Why did you change your mind?”
“When you called Greer Porter a good man, it made me feel like crap.”
“That’s what secrets do to you. Is there anything else you want to confess to?”
“No, that’s it.” He gave a sigh of relief.
“Are you sure?” She gave him a narrow-eyed stare.
“I’m sure,” he said, unperturbed.
“Good. What should we call our kitten?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. You choose.”
“How does Torch sound?”
The car jerked, which Rory immediately righted to give her a dirty look. “I think one Torch in the house is enough.”
Jewell turned sideways in her seat. “I agree.” She began playfully running her fingers up his thigh. “I love your nickname,” she purred, silently laughing when he shot her a stern glance. “I always wanted a biker who could set my ass on fire.”
Epilogue
“How do I look?” Jewell asked, turning from the small mirror in the waiting room to the side of the chapel.
“Radiant,” Shade’s sister complimented her.
Jewell took the bouquet of yellow roses from Penni and gave a shuddering breath. “I didn’t expect to be so nervous,” she confided.