The Biker's Fate Chapter 204

"Okay, I will," I promised, and glanced up at Mack. "What are you guys doing here?

"Booker's hookin' up cameras and I'm here 'cause my girl's pet is hurt."

I raised an eyebrow. "And where's Darien?"

Mack chuckled. "Dinner with her agent."

"Ah-ha!" I exclaimed.

"But, that doesn't mean I wouldn't have been here anyway."

I chuckled. "I appreciate that."

He checked his watch. "'Course, I have to meet her in an hour."

I rolled my eyes. "You're a good man, Charlie Brown."

"You and I also need to have a conversation."

"There it is," I grumbled. "I knew you had an ulterior motive."

"But check on your horse first."

"Oh, can I, sir? Thank you," I retorted.

Knight stepped out of Fozzie's stall, leading him with him.

"Is he okay?" I asked, pulling away from Mack and stepping to my horse.

"Other than not likin' Booker, yeah," Knight said, smiling. "He looks great, sugar. His bloodwork is good too. I took blood before and after the Thiamine and he's good. We'll watch him over the next few days, but I think we got it fast enough."

I finally relaxed. "Thank you."

"I'm gonna walk him a bit."

"I'll come."

"Nope," Mack countered. "You and I are gonna talk."

"Ah, no... right now I'm going to take care of my horse."

Knight glanced behind me and then back to me. "I got Fozzie, babe. You and Mack go talk."

I frowned, stepping closer. "Seriously?" I whispered.

He smiled. "He needs this, honey."

"I thought you were my armor."

"I got your back, sugar, but he's one of our best friends. If I didn't trust he'd take care, we wouldn't be here."

I sagged against Fozzie. "Fine."

Knight smiled, leaning down to kiss me quickly. "You got this."

"You're gonna hear about it if I don't."

"Bring it, sugar."

With my horse well cared for, I headed toward Mack letting him pull me against him as he led me out of the barn and toward the covered arena.

Mack wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me against him. "So... Knight."

"Hmm-mmm."

"And how long's this been going on, young lady?"

I laughed. "You're an idiot."

He faced me, squeezing my shoulders. "I trust him with my life, Kim. Just not sure how I feel about him with you."

"You can't be all that surprised."

"I'm not surprised. He's let his feelings be known since the honky-tonk."

"I'm sorry?"

Mack smiled. "Babe, he saw you and Dani walk into Blush that first night and the only reason he wasn't with us when we dealt with those douchebags is because he had to deal with the Russians. By the time he got rid of Nikolai and his sister, you were both gone and he wasn't happy. But he staked his claim as soon as you walked into the honky-tonk... which is why he drove you to Dani's and not me."

I gasped. "Are you being serious right now?"

"Well, yeah."

"Then why were you always the one person between us?"

"I wasn't, Kimmie. I was your soft place to land." He pulled me in for a hug and kissed my forehead. "You needed a champion, sweetheart, and I was happy to be... will always be happy to be that. But now it's his turn, as long as he lives up to the privilege."

I blinked back tears. Outside of Knight and Elliott, I didn't know I could love another man as much as Mack. "He's got me, Mack."

"Yeah?"

I nodded.

He searched my face before saying, "That changes, you tell me and I'll handle it."

I rolled my eyes. "No, I think I'm quite capable of handling anything that might come up."

"Even so, I got your back."

"Thanks, buddy," I said, and hugged him again. "Have you found out anything about the creepy stalker?"

The gifts had stopped coming about a week after Mack had picked them up from my apartment, but then started up again about a month ago. This time, I didn't hesitate to reach out and have him do some digging.

"Yeah."

"What?"

"Do you remember a guy by the name of Aaron Simms?"

"Um, no, I don't think so."

"He used to work at the bar."

"Oh, wait! Six feet, super big guy, scar down his right cheek?" I asked.

"That's the guy."

"Doug fired him and then I think he went to jail for assault or something."

"Yep. He got out... about a month ago."

I shivered. "He's the one who's been leaving me that stuff?"

"Yeah, babe. He didn't leave anything at your apartment because he didn't know where you live, but since you're still working at Doug's place, he left everything there."

"Ooh, that guy was creepy. Pauley and I made a pact to always walk out together and never allow each other to be alone with him."

"Good plan. He's been dealt with, Kim, so you don't have to worry about him, but something else comes up, you let me know."

I debated asking more questions, but I knew he'd never tell me and my head hurt too badly to get in a fight I couldn't win, so I said, "I will, Mack. Thanks." I smiled. "I'm going to check on my horse now, okay?"

Mack nodded and walked me back inside the barn.

"Knight?" I called.

"In here, sugar." He glanced over Fozzie's stall and pushed open the door. "Come have a look."

I stepped inside and Fozzie nudged me. "He looks so much better."

"Yeah, he's fine, Kim," Knight confirmed.

"Cameras are installed," Booker said, and walked into the barn.

"Where?" I asked, glancing over the door.

"One in the stall, and one focused on his run, one at each entrance of the barn, and one in the hayloft covering his stall."

"Thanks, Book."

"No problem, babe. We're gonna get trackers on Fozzie's stuff—"

"Stuff?"

"Saddle and ah... what's the shit called?"

I smiled. "His tack. Bridles, halters, saddles... his 'stuff.'"

Booker nodded. "Right. We'll get that done this week."

"Thanks."

He smiled, hugging me gently. "I'm gonna head back to Dani."

I smiled. "Say hi for me."

"I will. 'Night."

Booker and Mack left, and Knight guided me out of the stall. I resisted... which was futile. "I don't want to leave him alone."

"I get it, sugar, which is why Buck's here until Flea relieves him tomorrow." He stroked my cheek. I'm installing a chip in the morning."

"Like what they put in dogs?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Just for an extra safety precaution."

"Thank you, but I still think you're missing the point."

"Nope. The point's clear, Kim, but it doesn't matter. You and I are goin' back to your place to finish what we started."

I couldn't stop a delicious shiver. "What if whoever did this comes back?"

"Then I'll deal with them," Buck piped in.

"He's good, sugar. If I was worried, I wouldn't let you leave him," Knight promised.

I studied him for a few seconds before acquiescing and facing Buck. "You'll call if there's anything weird?"

Buck nodded. "Yeah, babe."

I chewed on my lower lip as I leaned against Knight. He slid his hand to my hip. "Kim, Fozzie's good. I'm not even planning on giving him more meds since he appears to be back to normal, he also doesn't need antibiotics because we caught it early."

I trusted Knight. He would never lie to me and he had all the markings of a kick-ass vet, so I relaxed with a nod and smiled up at him. "Take me home before I change my mind."

Knight grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the barn.