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Shit, it had never occurred to me to ask. I don’t need a piece of paper to tell me Chance is mine. “I don’t know.”
He shrugs. “Shouldn’t matter. She had him in California, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Find out. The longer nothing connects the two of you on paper, the better.”
“Rock, I’m gonna marry her. Soon. Real soon.”
He snorts and one corner of his mouth lifts. “Of course, you are.” His smile fades. “But you want this done first, right?”
Damn right I do.
Chapter Thirteen
Lilly
The drive down to the new place isn’t awkward at all. Mostly because my brother is driving in the truck behind me. I needed to take my own car, after all.
Chance decided it would be more fun to ride with Uncle Alex so I have the car to myself, which means I can crank up the stereo to music I want to listen to.
It makes the miles go by fast.
And helps me forget all the horrors I explained to Z the other day.
Who am I kidding? I can’t stop thinking about it. The awful feelings it dredged up cling to me like slime. A familiar, heavy, shameful weight presses down on me like a second skin I thought I shed years ago.
Z tenderly took me to bed and curled himself around me all night. Made me breakfast in bed the next day before Chance came home. Basically treated me like expensive glass that might break at any moment.
At first it was sweet.
Until it was annoying.
Then it became alarming. Will that be the new normal for us now? Z thinks I’m a victim and he shouldn’t touch me? That I’m broken? I can’t deal with him seeing me that way.
As I’m close to my Thruway exit, Z calls.
“How far away are you, pretty girl?”
“About a mile from the exit.”
“I’ll meet you there so you can follow me to the house.”
“Are you sure?”
“Just look for me to the right.”
“Okay.”
While he said look for him, I should’ve known Z wouldn’t be alone. One of his brothers—Murphy, I think—is with him. They both pull onto the road as I exit the tollbooth.
Keeping an eye on my brother’s truck in my rear view, I guide my car into place behind Z’s and Murphy’s bikes and follow where they lead.
They take us through some winding country roads. Somehow this far downstate, I expected it to be more built up, but there is still some uninterrupted scenery.
Whoops, spoke too soon, he takes a left onto a smaller, newer road. Up and down, we roll over gentle hills until we pass a set of stone pillars. A little further, we come to a gate and small guard building. Z waves something at the box next to the building and the gates swing open. He doesn’t move through immediately though, and I realize he’s speaking to someone inside the building.
Impressive.
Obviously, I knew Z would find someplace safe and secure for us. I didn’t expect this, though. It’s a newer housing development that looks more like a nature park dotted with over-sized houses. Most homes are similar in style. What they lack in originality, they make up for in size. Perfectly manicured yards. Intricate stone driveways.
I bet they’re going to love having a couple of bikers in the neighborhood.
Instead of being happy for me, my brother seems irritated by the surroundings when he unfolds his long legs from his truck.
“Was Chance good for you?”
“Huh?” He stops scowling at the neighborhood and faces me. “Yeah, he conked out almost as soon as we got on the Thruway.”
“Good.”
“Daddy!” Chance knocks on the window and before even saying hello to my brother, Z opens the back door to unbuckle Chance.
“Were you good for Uncle Alex?” Z asks, sweeping Chance into his arms.
“He’s always good,” Alex says.
Z shifts Chance to one arm and holds out his hand to my brother. “Thanks for coming down.”
“Yeah, no problem. Fancy area.” His gaze lands on Murphy who finally ambles over and nods to my brother. “How’re they gonna feel about your hogs rumbling in and out of here at all hours?”
Z shrugs. “Guess we’ll find out.” He jerks his head toward the house next to the one we pulled up to. “Murphy and Teller will be right next door.”
“Hey, Murphy,” I call out. “Has Heidi seen the house yet?”
“Not yet. She’s coming down tomorrow after school.”
Alex shoots me a weird look and I glare at him in return. Obviously, he assumes the worst about Z’s friends.
“Z said you didn’t have a lot.” Murphy points at the truck bed. “Should we start unloading?”
“Yeah.” Z pulls a keyring out of his pocket. “Let me open up the place.” He clicks a button and one of the garage doors rolls up. Reaching out, he takes my hand and tugs me up the driveway. Chance is eager to get down and explore.
Once we’re inside the house, Z sets him down, laughing as Chance races around the sparsely furnished living room, bouncing on the thick carpet.
It takes a while to go through all three levels. We have enough guest rooms for several family members to visit at the same time and a huge playroom for Chance.
“This is my favorite part.” Z slides open a glass door and motions for me to follow him.
“Oh my God, the pool is amazing.”
“I’m glad you like it.” Z snakes his arms around my waist, pulling me against his chest. “Wanna come home and find you sunbathing in a nice, tiny bikini every day.”
I snort and slap his arm. “My bikini days are way behind me.”
“Like hell they are.” He gestures toward the sliding glass doors and the privacy walls beyond. “Besides, who’s gonna see?”
When I still don’t answer, he gives me Z’s version of puppy eyes—a smoldering look that always makes me want to jump him. “Don’t you wanna make your man happy?”
“Yes.” I glance at the pool again. “Chance doesn’t know how to swim.”
“I figured.” He lifts his chin at the house next door. “We talked about finding someone to give the kids swim lessons.”
“Oh, that’s a great idea.”
“Until then, we’ll keep the door locked.” He leans down, brushing his lips against my cheek. “But come night time, I plan to be skinny-dipping with my girl.”
The low thrum of his voice has me ready to strip down and mount him right now. “Are you sure about that?”
He frowns but doesn’t have an opportunity to answer.
“Lilly, which one is your
bedroom?” Alex calls out, annoyance vibrating through the words.
Z takes my hand and pulls me into the house. “I should be helping them.”
I make sure to lock the door behind us. Chance is busy following Murphy with his stuffed animals. “I helping,” he assures me.
“Good job.”
When the guys are finished, Z prowls over and kisses my cheek. “I’m sorry, but I need to get back,” he explains in a low voice. “You can come over to the clubhouse later.”
“Are you sure?” My gaze strays to Chance.
“Yeah, it’s a good night for you guys to be there.”
“All right.”
He turns and shakes Alex’s hand, then crouches down to speak to Chance for a few seconds.
“Thank you for your help, Murphy.”
“No problem.” His lips quirk. “I go where the prez tells me.”
“I still appreciate it. I’m excited Heidi’s coming down tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing her and Alexa.”
“You and me both.” His gaze slides toward Z. “This is gettin’ old.”
He allows me to give him a brief hug before leaving with Z.
“Do you want to grab lunch?” I ask Alex. “That took less time than I expected.”
“You didn’t have much.” Disapproval rolls off him in waves but I don’t feel like probing to find out what’s bothering him.
“So, what’s the story, Lilly? He moved you down here to this…little domestic palace so you can play gangster mistress?”
Apparently, I won’t have to ask. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I seethe, praying Chance can’t overhear us.
“What are you doing? Have you bothered to even look for a job since you’ve been back, or are you now just a kept woman?”
“That’s what you’re so concerned about? That I don’t have a job?”
“That, among other things. Like, what, are you besties with all his thug buddies now too?”
“Murphy isn’t a thug and he’s been nothing but kind to me and Chance. His daughter is around Chance’s age. Since when are you such a judgmental prick?”
“Oh,” he says, finally backing off.
“Yeah, oh. You need to get over this, Alex. I’m tired of you offering opinions on my relationship.” I throw my hands in the air. “I can’t win with you. If I was working, you’d bitch that Z wasn’t taking care of me and Chance properly. I’m not working and you’re complaining about that. Make up your mind.”
