Biker's Claim The Broken Angel is Mine (Cora and Jake) novel Chapter 34

er POV

The moment we left Cora’s room, I knew exactly where I was taking her, it’s just over two and a half hour drive from town, somewhere I love to go, when I need a get out of town, and get some wind in my face, and think being the enforcer can get busy, and expectations of you high, a break, I often needed after a stressful weekend, and bruised knuckles.

The last thing I expected to hear from Cora was to go faster. Sure, I was doing the speed limit that shocked even me, because I rarely do the speed limit, but I was trying to be considerate for Cora’s first long ride on a bike, trying to take the advice Scones and Dizzy offered. But nearly every time, I do something out of the norm, Cora pushes me, and I am back to being me again, sort of. It’s like Cora unconsciously knows this wasn’t the real me and didn’t want me to change to fit her. That thought hit me harder than I expected. This dating thing was confusing and more complicated than I thought it would be.

But the prize at the end was worth it.

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That’s what I am telling myself.

Not quite low flying, but I picked up the speed a little bit, enough to hear Cora giggling with joy, that sound melted another chunk of armour from my heart. I had thought to put some music on. Still, the quiet moments with Cora were as good as hearing her voice, feeling her rubbing my thigh when she wanted my attention, and pointing as she spoke about a flock of birds or a fox running in the bushes, things you wouldn’t notice in a car; Cora was seeing for the first time, while on the road. I liked giving to Cora, her firsts. I hope there are many more of those first times in her life for me to share with her.

The place was full, like it always was. This couple have a gold mine here, the brothers and I fixed the outside area a few years ago, somewhere for the customers to sit outside, and helped paint inside. They had no young ones around to do it, and since we love the food, it was our repayment for all the times they made sure we had food when we arrived; it was a good arrangement. Few know what we have done here. Last year, we helped them buy some new appliances. They said what they needed replacing, we researched it, gave them the choices, and they paid. They weren’t short on money; the place racks it in, being so popular, but they lacked the knowledge to get what needed to be done. Now, when something is broken, they contact me, and I arrange a trip out here with the lads that can do the job. They pay for parts, and we do the job for free. I try to visit once a week, find out if they need anything fixed. I haven’t paid for food in two years, only the fuel, because that’s my payment for all the work I do. Most of the time, I can fix something myself. I am a mechanic and can fix most engines, not just bikes and cars, not that I am boasting, it’s just something that works for me. I can read a manual, and then it’s in my head; I never forget. Part of why I was a top student was not from studying long hours like others, because I didn’t need to; it’s like I had a photographic memory. If it’s written down, it’s stored away in my head. It used to piss my fellow students off that I could do that. I might forget parts of a conversation, but nothing that’s written down.

I ordered two chicken burgers, fries, and a soft drink, then guided Cora outside onto the footpath in front

Chapter 34-

of the cafe windows. The lads and I had laid concrete slabs and widened the area so they could place more tables out here; it works. The owners were considering expanding outside, but hadn’t made that decision yet. I gave them some suggestions a few weeks ago that I thought would work, but they are struggling to keep up with the clientele now and worry that we made room for more than they would need to hire. Out here, there was no accommodation for them; the small fuel stop had outgrown the space. I sigh at that thought while watching Cora enjoy her burger. Those moans of joy hit my groin, way too quickly.

I put all thoughts of the small place’s growth issues aside and turned my thoughts back to my girl, smiling at her as she looked around, having finished eating and sipping her drink, as she took this place, with a soft smile on her face.

My phone rang, breaking the moment.

“Gunner,” I answered too abruptly.

“Where are you?” Oddball growls back.

“Lucy’s fuel stop.” My tone changed to one asking a question.

“Get back.” The phone went dead, no explanation, and when the president calls, you act.

“Times up?” Cora asked, my face must have said more than it should, or Cora can read me better than anyone else can, maybe that’s part of her nursing, being able to read the patient’s faces, movements, a skill she would need in emergencies, when the patient might be in too much pain to talk. A skill that could make the difference between life and death.

“Yes, sorry.” And I meant it, I didn’t want my date to stop, not yet. “We have to go.” I couldn’t keep the slight hint of disappointment out of my voice.

We cleaned up and returned to the bike; this time, I didn’t need Cora to ask me to go fast, that was no longer a choice, but a must.

Cora screamed with joy, and the bike skipped along the road as I took a hard corner faster than ! should have with two–up. The sparks from the footpegs trailed behind us before I came out of the corner. Not once did Cora grip me tightly in fear, but she laughed at moments that should have made her worry. She was a great passenger, moving with me, which helped me feel confident taking the corners, knowing she wouldn’t be a counterweight pushing against me instead of with me, by trying to move the wrong way, which is a natural thing to do, when you are new at being a passenger, I learned that the hard way, almost losing my bike because I had to fight the extra force against me, caused by the passenger.

I pulled up outside her home, and Cora climbed off her face, beaming, as she handed back the helmet.

“Will you be back tonight?”

“Don’t know, will let you know.”

“Okay.” Cora didn’t show disappointment with my answer; if she had, it would have eaten away at me. Instead, it was like she understood and accepted it for what it was–the truth.

Chapter 34

My mirror had Cora in it, watching me leave, until I was out of the complex and gone. This was harder than

I thought it would be. My brothers always came first, no buts, ifs, or maybes, it just was. Still, now that I had someone I was invested in, I was wavering about having to balance this; maybe I should talk to Oddball and Dozer, who have wives, about this divided loyalty I was feeling.

The club came into view, men standing around their bikes. Looks like we might be going out again.

“Gunner.” A skank came up to me, placing her hand possessively on my chest.

“What?” I barked, pushing her hand away. She had the nerve to act hurt.

“Skink is dead.” She burst out. I stared for a moment, digesting what she said, before walking past her, looking for Oddball and answers. Oddball was in his office, his door was open, and someone was crying inside. My heart was pounding with pent–up emotion as I walked in. Oddball looked at me, his face flush, eyes red, so it was true, Skink was a prospect, and damn good one.

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