Biker Babe in Black by Debra Kayn Page B

say.
    “I invited you all to this little get-together to tell you something important.” Remy reached out for Margie’s hand and raised it to his lips. Her eyes burned, and she blinked a few extra times.
    “I wanted you all to meet Margarine, who in the last few weeks has claimed a part of my heart that I didn’t know existed. And, I wanted her to meet my family.” He kept hold of her hand and held his glass in the air. “To all of you who have found love. May you cherish it and hold it close.”
    Margarine lifted her glass, but before the champagne reached her lips, she stopped and cocked her head. A low vibration entered her chest.
    No.
    Not now.
    She shook her head. Maybe if she denied it, it wouldn’t happen.
    “Margarine, what’s wrong?” Remy set down his glass and removed the champagne out of Margarine’s shaky hand.
    “Oh, Remy. I’m sorry.” Tears filled her eyes, and she backed away. She knew sooner or later this was bound to happen, but why tonight? Why now, when Remy’s parents and friends gathered around him?
    “What the hell?” Remy’s father examined the glass figurine on the coffee table dance across the surface from the growing vibration.
    “It’s an earthquake!”
    Margie figured it was Gloria who came out with that silly deduction. Stupid girl.
    The men stood up and looked around, and she sensed their confusion at the alien noise enveloping the house. They didn’t know if they should grab the women and seek a doorway in case the house crumbled, or run to the window to find out where all the noise came from.
    Margie observed the chaos from the chair she’d sunk into in the corner of the living room. All she could do was sit and wait for the show that was sure to come the second the front door opened. She smiled up at Remy. A mix of apology and anticipation sparked inside her heart. Her family’s arrival always pleased her. They needed to work on their timing, though.
    Trained to tell how many would arrive, she cocked her head again. If she counted right, eight members of her family pulled up outside, ready to bring this party to a grand finale no white-collar folks had ever experienced.
    The door burst open. Remy stepped between her and the foyer.
    A man larger than life crossed through the door first. Dressed in black leather, with a beard down to the middle of his stout chest, he glared at all the guests and searched for the one person he sought.
    “Margarine Butter, you better get your ass over here and give your daddy a kiss,” he barked.
    Margarine forgot about her embarrassment. The months apart from her family caught up with her, and she didn’t care who witnessed the reunion. Despite her four-inch heels and a dress not meant for running, Margie leapt up from the chair and sailed across the room. She’d missed him so much the last six months.
    “I can’t believe you’re here.” Margie gave her dad another big hug and looked over his shoulder. “Where’s Mom?”
    “She’s back with the rest of the group. We got a motel for the night. She wanted me to wait until we called you, but I couldn’t wait to see my baby girl.”
    Knuckles held Margie an arm’s length away and twirled her. “Hot damn, you must be making dough around here with the way you’re fancied up.”
    Margie forgot about her guests. She almost forgot about Remy. She hurried over to Remy and grabbed his hand to pull him over to meet her father. “Daddy, I’d like you to meet Remy. The man I work for.”
    Knuckles looked at the way his daughter’s hand was securely holding onto her boss. His face grew hard and he narrowed his eyes.
    “No, no, Dad.” Margie knew what thoughts flashed into her dad’s head. “Let me explain—”
    Knuckles drew back his arm faster than Remy could react and sucker punched him.
    “Daddy!” She moved to stand in front of Remy.
    He wheezed and she turned and rubbed his back as he bent over, trying to cough up a lung.
    “Remy, are you okay? My dad…” She frowned