Deep in thought he nods, “That’s about right. You nailed it.”
“And I thought it was private school, too, because you seem very smart. The way you speak, too.”
“You have a great vocabulary, Celia.”
“Meg encouraged us to read a lot. She forced us, actually,” I laugh, remembering. “But she was smart about it, found books we’d love. Separately, not as a whole group, you know? Like I loved Animal Farm, and all the politics of it. Luke loved The Old Man and The Sea, by Hemingway. Sofia adored On The Road by Jack Kerouac. Actually they all did, except me and Sage. I thought it was overrated. Sage loved The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. Atlas didn’t love any of them except when we read The Hunger Games—all of us agreed those were fantastic.”
“What about your brother?”
“Tonk Jr. reads anything you give him and he loves it all. But his favorite was The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.” I smile and look over at Sean to find the sun has reached through a gap in the leaves above to light his sapphires on fire. We don’t say anything for a moment and he pushes off the trunk, walking to me. Coming close his eyelashes dip to my mouth and I shut it, aware suddenly that I was gaping at him. “Celia,” he rasps, staring at my lips. “What if I just…” He leans in and captures my mouth in a kiss. Tingles drift into my body, and it feels so good that I respond. It’s a reflex, like I can’t stop it, or want to.
“Celia!” Jett calls from the house. “I’ve got a mission for your crew! Where you at!?”
We tear apart, my breath hitched as our eyes stay locked and heated. “Why did you do that?”
Sean frowns, “I had to.”
“Don’t do it again.” I dart under the branch to escape and head home. Sean’s footsteps are quick behind me. He jogs to catch up, hands me the dandelion.
“You forgot this.”
I could throw it to teach him a lesson, but instead I glance to it, hesitate, and tuck it into my pocket.
CHAPTER 14
SEAN
“C elia and Atlas can handle this. You’ll follow along, Sean. You’re to watch and learn. Don’t go desperado on us. We have a way of doing things that has worked for longer than you’ve been alive. You want to impress me? You back them up, and stay the fuck out of their way until you’re damn sure they need you.” Jett asks over his shoulder, “Ready for some real beauty?” as the four of us stroll up to a garage the size of a small warehouse that doesn’t match the main house’s columns and forgotten grandeur. Must have been an add-on to the property.
He reaches down, fiddles with an antiquated pad lock and hauls the door up. Celia and Atlas are watching me as rows of motorcycles wave hello.
“Holy shit,” I whisper, glancing to Jett as he crosses his arms, proudly surveying the machines.
Awestruck I slowly drink in the polished chrome handlebars, levers, fork tubes, clutch covers, mufflers, wheels and brake calipers, plus thick tread on all the tires like they’re ready to ride. “All Harley Davidsons but one?”
“That’s Luna’s. Her third Triumph Bonneville. Our daughter rides one, too. Hers is deep green, brown leather seat, cool as shit. My girls both like to be unique,” he smirks, and waves me deeper inside. “You’re lucky Sofia was in a snit before we sent her on a job. She cleaned up Scratch’s old motorcycles. You’ll take one of his during your trial period.”
“Scratch? Oh yeah, someone mentioned he and his wife moved to Montana.”
As Atlas and Celia stay nearby, listening to him with patience and respect, Jett chuckles, “Old fuck will probably outlive me.” Running his fingers over the shiny black Harley perfect for a guy my size, he explains, “Scratch is tall like you. This seat is 26.8 inches off the ground so you’ll sit high and comfortable even for a cruiser. He was like a father to me when my dad and I didn’t get along. He took me in when I was like you—searching for more. Didn’t even know I was lost until I found the Ciphers.” Grey eyes rise to meet mine “Scratch was President back then. Solid bastard. Never met a truer heart in rougher skin. He taught me what I know. We were on the road for almost three decades together before he finally retired.”
Eyes glued to the machine I whisper, “Can’t imagine ever wanting to retire.”
Jett chuckles, “Listen to this guy. Hasn’t even been on a mission and he’s hooked.”
Celia smiles but I see she’s still thinking about that kiss.
Atlas jerks his chin, adds, “My dad retired for about six months once.”
“Oh, that’s right,” Ceels whispers. “I forgot about that.”
“Mom wanted him home more, but then he was such a mess that she pushed him on the road again. Said she hated him so unhappy. It was the day she stopped telling him that she worried.”
Jett frowns, the reminder of Honey Badger souring the moment. “Back to this!” He slaps the leather seat that’s got small tears in it from age. “You said you know how to ride. You drop this and I’ll drop you.”
My lips tighten. “Yes, sir.”
He smirks, “It’s so easy to fuck with you, Sean.”
I relax and slide my hands in my back pockets. “Happy to amuse.”
His face goes hard again. “But I’m not fucking with you now. You drop this and I will be fuckin’ pissed. I won’t kick you out for it, but we might have words.”
“Yes, sir.”
“When you’re out there, you’re to watch and only watch.” He points a thick forefinger in my face. “You hear me? You’re not ready and I don’t want you getting in their way.” His finger slides over to them and holds there. “These two know the game. Follow. Listen. Learn. Do not—I repeat—do
