Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 172

CHAPTER 103-2

“He’s just started riding He explained and I nodded.

“Then we’ll make sure everything is safe.” I said.

The boy watched carefully while I checked the bike.

“Is it okay?” He asked.

“It needs a small adjustment, but nothing serious.” I said and he smiled.

“Can you show me?” He asked.

“Of course.” I said.

I showed him how to check his tire pressure and inspect his chain, while his father watched from nearby.

“You should teach classes.” He said and I laughed.

“Maybe one day.” I said.

Inside the workshop, Ben had gathered a crowd around an engine.

He explained how regular maintenance could prevent expensive repairs and he demonstrated how to identify early signs of engine trouble.

One child stood beside him with wide eyes.

“Does it explode if you do it wrong?” She asked and everyone laughed while Ben shook his head.

“No, but your wallet might suffer.” Ben said and the child looked horrified so I laughed.

Outside, the Iron Vipers had turned the barbecue into their own event.

Mason stood over the grill while Emma organized plates and drinks.

The smell of food filled the parking lot, and people gathered around the tables while music played.

Kids ran through the grass and Diesel happily chased a ball whenever someone threw it.

At one point, I stepped back and simply watched.

Families were sitting together. Customers were laughing. People were asking questions about motorcycles and the club members were cooking food.

Nobody was whispering about organised crime. Nobody was staring at Lawson Customs like it was something suspicious.

They were seeing what it really was. A local business. A place where people worked. A place where people brought their motorcycles. A place where families came to spend a Saturday afternoon and Jace walked

over.

“You okay?” Jace asked and I nodded.

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CHAPTER 109

“I’m more than okay.” I said and he looked around.

“Good turnout.” He said.

“Better than I imagined.” I said and he smiled.

“You deserve it.” He said as I looked toward the crowd.

“I just wanted people to see the truth.” I said.

“They are.” He said and a customer approached us.

“Paige?” The man asked and I turned around.

“Yes?” I asked and he smiled,

“I just wanted to say thank you.” He said.

“For what?” I asked.

“For opening the doors.” He said and I smiled.

“You’re welcome.” I said and he glanced toward the workshop.

“I read that article, and I wasn’t sure what to believe.” He said as my stomach tightened slightly.

“And now?” I asked making him smile.

“Now I know.” He said so I looked at him.

“Know what?” I asked.

“That you’re just running a damn good motorcycle shop.” He said and I laughed.

“Thank you.” I said.

He shook Jace’s hand before walking away and I looked at Jace.

“That meant a lot.” I said.

“I know.” He said.

By late afternoon, the final inspections were completed, the last burgers were served, and the crowd slowly began leaving. So Mia stood beside me.

“That was a success.” Mia said and I nodded.

“It really was.” I said as Ben walked over.

“We ran out of inspection forms.” Ben said and I laughed.

“That’s a good problem.” I said.

“It is.” He said as Jace joined us.

“Everyone had a good time.” Jace said and I smiled.

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CHAPTER 109

“More importantly, they saw us.” I said and Jace nodded.

“They did.” He said.

We began cleaning up as the sun lowered toward the horizon.

Tables were folded away, rubbish was collected, tools were returned to their places, and the remaining food was packed up.

The kids were exhausted, and several were already asleep in the back seats of cars.

Eventually, the parking lot became quiet and I stood near the entrance and looked around.

The same place that had felt threatened only days earlier now felt stronger and Mia walked beside me.

“You did this.” Mia said.

“We all did.” I said and she smiled.

“Maybe.” She said and I looked toward Jace.

He was talking with Mason while helping load the final boxes and I smiled.

“I think this is exactly what we needed.” I said and Mia nodded.

“Me too.” She said.

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