Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 56

CHAPTER 34

CHAPTER 34

+25 Point

strange feeling started before I even opened my eyes in the morning. It wasn’t fear or panic It was simply the quiet sense that something wasn’t quite right.

I laid still for a few moments, listening to apartment around me while the early morning silence settled over Lawson Customs. The old fridge hummed softly from the tiny kitchen, rainwater dropped somewhere outside after the storm that had rolled through overnight and the familiar creaking of the building reminded me that Uncle Will had always insisted old placed had personalities. This one certainly did.

I climbed out of bed and got ready before making a coffee and I headed downstairs and unlocked the garage.

The familiar smell of engine oil and fresh rubber greeted me immediately.

The workshop lights flickered on one by one, revealing clean floor, neatly organized toolboxes and

motorbikes waiting patiently for another day’s work.

The business had turned into the kind of business I’d dreamed about during those first frightening

weeks after inheriting the garage.

Ben arrived carrying a breakfast burrito in one hand and a box of oil filters in the other.

“Morning.” He said.

“Morning.” I said.

“You look thoughtful.” He said.

“I’ve only been awake for twenty minutes.” I said.

“You started thinking immediately.” He said.

“I made terrible life choices.” I said and he laughed while setting the filters onto a shelf.

“I thought dating Jace fixed that.” He said.

“It improved them.” I said.

“That’s progress.” He said.

A few minutes later Mia arrived balancing her handbag, a travel mug and today’s mail.

“You’ve got six deliveries arriving before lunch.” Mia said.

“That’s either exciting or terrifying.” I said.

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CHAPTER 34

“A little of both.” She said.

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She sorted envelopes across the reception desk while I opened the first service bay and rolled yesterday’s completed motorbike outside for collection.

The morning settled into its familiar rhythm and customers wandered through the front door carrying helmets beneath their arms.

Phones rang often enough that Mia barely had time to finish one conversation before another

began.

Ben quietly worked through his first service without needing my held and watching him solve problems on his own made me smile. He’d come a long way.

Around ten o’clock I stepped outside to stretch my back after wrestling with a stubborn exhaust

system.

A black cruiser rolled slowly past Lawson’s Customs. I barely noticed it but then motorbikes passed the garage all day and five minutes later another one appeared.

This rider also slowly while passing the front of the building and his helmet turned toward the workshop before he continued down the street.

I frowned slightly because it was unusual. Not alarming, just unusual.

I returned inside and buried myself in work but by lunchtime I’d seen five familiar motorbikes do

exactly the same thing.

None of them parked and none of the riders came inside.

Every one of them slowed just enough to study the garage before continuing toward the edge of

town.

“Mia.” I sang out as I was washing grease off my

hands.

“Yeah.” She said looking up from the computer.

“Have you noticed motorbikes outside today?” I asked.

“The black ones?” She asked.

“So it isn’t just me.” I said.

“I thought maybe they were looking for an address.” She said.

“Maybe.” I said but the answer didn’t satisfy either of us.

The afternoon remained just as busy although I caught myself glancing toward the road far more

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CHAPTER 34

often than usual.

Every time another unfamiliar motorbike passed the workshop the uneasy feeling in my stomach grew stronger.

Just after three, the unmistakable rumble of Iron Viper motorbikes echoed into the parking lot and

I smiled before looking up.

“They’re early.” I said and Ben glanced through the roller door.

“Derek’s here. And Cole.” Ben said.

Derek climbed off his motorbike first but instead of walking straight into the garage like he usually, did but he paused and looked slowly up and down the street. Cold did exactly the same. It was subtle and most people would’ve missed it but I didn’t.

“You two expecting someone?” I asked.

Derek looked back at me with an easy smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Just checking things out.” He said and I folded my arms.

“That answer makes me nervous.” I said and Cole stepped closer before lowering his voice.

“Have you noticed unfamiliar bikes today?” He asked.

“I’ve noticed plenty.” I said.

“I figured. They’re Black Reapers.” He said as he glanced at the road again.

The words settled heavily in the warm afternoon air and I instinctively looked toward the street.

Another black motorbike disappeared around the next corner.

“They haven’t done anything.” I said.

“No.” He said.

“They’re just been watching.” I said.

“That’s what concerns us.” He said nodding and I frowned.

“You think they’re interested in Lawson Customs?” I asked and the two men exchanged a brief

look.

It only lasted a second but it was long enough for me to realize they were trying to decide how much to tell me.

“We think they’re interested in you.” Derek finally said.

…

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