Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 23

CHAPTER 15-2

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CHAPTER 15-2

noticed.” I said and Hunter laughed.

“I’ve created a monster.” Jace said.

“You absolutely have.” I said.

The workshop settled into its usual rhythm and Ben worked on cleaning carburetor parts while

quietly listening to every conversation.

George eventually left after promising to return next week and Hunter disappeared into the parts

room looking for something he’d probably misplaced himself.

For the first time all morning Jace and I found ourselves standing alone beside the workbench.

“Can I ask you something?” I asked.

“You just did.” He said and I rolled my eyes.

“You know exactly what I mean.” I said.

“I probably do.” He said and I leaned back against the workbench.

“The Black Reapers.” I said and his expression became more serious.

“What about them?” He asked.

“They keep driving through town and they’ve been watching the garage and everyone keeps acting

like that’s a really bad thing.” I said.

“It is.” He said.

“Why?” I asked turning to face him.

Jace looked toward the open door roller before answering.

“Motorcycle clubs have territories.” He said.

“I figured that much out.” I said.

“Most clubs stay on their side.” He said.

“And when they don’t?” I asked.

“Problems usually follow.” He said.

He wasn’t saying very much. In fact, he seemed to carefully choosing every word.

“You don’t have to explain club business. I’m not asking for secrets. I just don’t like feeling as

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CHAPTER 15-2

though everyone knows something except me.” I said.

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“Fair enough. The Black Reapers have been pushing closer to our territor for months. They’ve been looking for excuses.” He said.

“And driving past my garage counts?” I asked.

“It gets our attention.” He siad.

“That’s it?” I frowned.

“For now.” He said.

The answer should have reassured me but instead it felt carefully incomplete.

I recognized that look and it was the same look Uncle Will used whenever he was trying to protect me from something until he understood it better.

“Fine. I’ll stay out of club business.” I sighed.

Jace looked at me for a long moment before the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

“Paige.” He said.

“What?” I asked.

“You already aren’t.” He said.

“I’m standing in the middle of it every time you lot park outside.” I said.

“You still don’t understand.” He said shaking his head.

“Understand what?” I frowned and he didn’t look at me straight away.

Instead he looked toward the parking lot as another customer pulled in and whatever he had been about to say disappeared behind the demands of another busy morning.

That only made me more curious.

I

The rest of the afternoon stayed busy enough that I didn’t have much time to think about what

Jace had meant.

At least, that was the plan.

Unfortunately, my brain had other ideas.

Every few minutes I caught myself replaying the conversation while rebuilding a carburetor of checking brake pads.

“You already arean’t.”

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It made absolutely no sense. I wasn’t part of the Iron Vipers and I wasn’t patched. I wasn’t involved in whatever was happening with the Black Reapers.

xed motorcycles and that was it. Ben looked over from the workbench.

“You’re thinking again.” Ben said.

“I usually recommend it.” I said.

“You’ve been staring at the same spark plug for about two minutes.” He said and I looked down at

the spark plug still sitting in my hand.

“Huh.” I said.

“Everything alright?” He asked.

“I think your coffee has affected my judgement.” I said.

“I haven’t made coffee all day.” He said.

“Then we’ll blame Jace.” I said and Ben grinned.

“I somehow don’t think he’d argue.” I said.

The afternoon passed with a steady stream of customers and by closing time my appointment book was almost full for another week.

I wiped my hands on a clean shop towel before locking the front door.

Just as I reached for the light switch and the office phone rang.

I glanced at the caller ID and it said unknown number.

“Lawson Customs, this is Paige.” I answered.

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