“Give us a moment.” Jackie gave James a reassuring wink before dismissing him with a flick of her fingers.
James walked through the living room and over to the window. He spotted Kickstand outside, guarding their bikes. Good kid. Too bad he’d fallen in with the wrong crowd. He would get a wake-up call when his biker worship got him five to ten in the local penitentiary, and he hadn’t even been involved in any major crime. James sighed. Maybe he could save Kickstand too.
After five minutes, Jackie raced past him. “We’re coming. Back in a minute. Stay out here.” She returned a few minutes later with an armful of black leather.
Five minutes became ten, became twenty. James paced across the living room. If they didn’t leave soon, they would be late. Rex wouldn’t be pleased. And the way things were going between him and Rex, he couldn’t afford another black mark against him.
Finally the bedroom door opened. His breath caught in his throat and his eyes widened.
Lana and Jackie had kitted themselves out in black leather from their stiletto boots to skintight pants, corsets to fitted jackets. Lana’s glorious red curls spilled around her shoulders and over the creamy expanse of the swell of her breasts.
And he’d thought the milkmaid costume was hot…
No way was he allowing her at a Hades gathering dressed like that. No fucking way.
Jackie grinned at his scowling face. “Gotta dress the part. I keep some spare disguises in my trunk. This outfit was from the time I had to crash a Grease party. Lana’s got her own reasons for having a closetful of leather.”
Lana winked and posed for him. “What do you think?”
Christ have mercy. She was beyond tempting. “Change. Now.”
Her face fell. “I thought leathers were appropriate attire for your old lady.”
“Not those leathers.” He struggled against his stirring lust. “They’re too…tight and…leathery.”
Lana’s eyes sparkled with amusement, and she sauntered over to him, all fire and curvaceous charm. “I can move just fine. You want me to go with you, then this is what I’m wearing. If not, Jackie and I know a club where they appreciate a girl in leather.”
James’s scowl deepened. The thought of other men watching her, touching her, set his blood to boil. A low growl escaped him and Lana’s lips curled into a smile. “Does that mean I’m coming with you?”
He clenched his jaw and took a slow, deep breath. He didn’t want another fight. Too much was happening: Rex, the weapons, the DEU not having his back, Bones and his suspicions. Too many things to worry about. He needed to know he had one thing under control. He needed Lana soft and sweet in his arms. And if that meant letting her parade around in skintight leather, he would choke back his jealous, protective side and keep his mouth shut.
But only once.
And he would make sure Ryder, Kickstand and Jackie stayed with her. Maybe Claw as well. Slider was always on the ball. And Spook…
And maybe he could find a burlap sack to put over her.
“That means you’re going to pay for the stress you’re going to cause me.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead and clasped her hand. “Let’s go. We brought extra helmets for the race. Might be a bit big but they should do the trick.”
“We?” Jackie raised an eyebrow.
“Kickstand is outside. I had just planned to stop in for a few minutes before heading off to the race. You can ride with him.”
Jackie grinned. “Oooo. The little golden boy. I’d like to get my claws into him.”
“Last I heard you were with Ryder.” James ushered them out and locked the door. Lana huffed and glared at his key. Well, she could huff all she wanted. No way was he giving it up. He needed to know he could get to her if she was in danger.
“It was just one night,” Jackie groaned. “Seriously, have you never had a one-night stand?”
He shot her a warning glance and followed Lana down the stairs. As if he was going to answer that question with Lana nearby. Especially after last night.
“I think what James is saying is maybe Ryder thinks differently,” Lana said over her shoulder. “And if he does, then he has to say it’s over. In the biker world, if the guy doesn’t say it’s over, it’s not over, and no one else can touch you until he does.”
James frowned. No way was Lana getting this biker information from television.
“Jeez Louise.” Jackie slapped her head. “I thought bikers were supposed to be anarchists, flouting the law, thumbing their noses at societal conventions. I’m beginning to think they have more rules than the real world has laws.” She waved to Kickstand as they crossed the street and then blew him a kiss. “As you know, I’m not one for rules.”