“Just because there were three of you, it doesn’t mean that cutting you out wasn’t a betrayal, Sabre. You told me the three of you had one rule. After everyone was solid in what your relationship was, it was never just you and Annie, or Latch and Annie. It was always supposed to be three of you. You felt betrayal. I understand it, and you were right to feel it and be angry. It’s one thing if they were finding solace in one another because they thought you died. It’s quite another for them to determine they didn’t want you back. I can’t imagine the devastation brought you.”
“It did. I said a bunch of shit, that I can’t even remember. I hurt Latch, because his betrayal cut me the most. I told him he betrayed me with my wife, that he wouldn’t even have been chosen by Annie or in her bed if it wasn’t for me. I told him I’d never forgive him. I left that night, but I never expected he’d sign back up in the military and leave both me and Annie.”
“Did you hear from him again?”
“He wrote Annie. Told her he couldn’t be with her anymore. That he couldn’t handle the fact that he betrayed me and asked her to put her marriage back together. We both tried. I think. It just wasn’t the same. Annie began showing traits that I didn’t like. The distance between us widened and I would have left, but she found out she was pregnant with Latch’s child. We wrote him a letter, but he was out on a top-secret mission. He never got it. His helicopter crashed before he got back to base.”
“Does Daphne know she’s not your biological child?”
“Hell, no. She never will. I failed her a lot, but I’m going to make up for it. I’m getting better. I can be a good man for you, Cory.”
“You already are a good man, Sabre. I’m warning you though. I’m not into throuples or anything of the like. Not even just playing around. I’m too territorial.”
“Trust me, I learned my lesson. I should have done right by Annie and walked away instead of bringing her into a relationship and then introducing Latch into it when I discovered I couldn’t be happy without him.”
“They made their choices, too. You need to stop feeling guilty. You reacted as anyone would have. Latch made his choices to run away instead of talking to you—instead of staying. You need to give yourself some grace.”
“Cory, I should warn you, I’m going to move fast with you. I’m old, I’ve been through hell and back and I know how precious time is. I’m staking my claim on you loud and decisively right now.”
She laughs. “You’re in your fifties like me. That’s not old, Sabre. We’re just … well-seasoned.”
“I’m not so sure. I think I need to taste you before I can agree.”
“The bedroom is down the hall and the third door on the left,” she replies, shocking the hell out of me.
“Damn it, woman, you’re going to make me fall in love on our first date,” I growl standing up and throwing her over my shoulder as I stalk toward the bedroom.
“Dang, you discovered my plan,” she purrs, her hand going into the back of my pants and sliding against my ass.
She’s perfect.
Chapter 29
Daphne
I lookat Eli and Cammie, eating breakfast as I sip my coffee. This is everything I want and nothing I thought I could have. I was completely destroyed when I found out what a fool I’d been with Dane. I felt worthless. Until you get that low, you have no idea how soul-destroying that is. I was lost. I’ve never told them but if Eli and Drew hadn’t come that day, I’m not sure what would have happened to me. I didn’t know how to keep going. The house was falling apart around me. Cammie needed me to be strong and I was so tired it was a struggle to get out of bed each morning. Just knowing that Drew cared, and that Eli was going to help take care of things I couldn’t begin to find either the time or strength to do kept me from agreeing to sign the divorce agreement that Dane had drafted—which essentially said I would take ten thousand in payment for the house and sign everything over to him. We would share custody of Cammie, and I wouldn’t ask for any of his 401K. I was actually going to sign it Monday morning. Drew and Eli showed up on the Friday before.
I look over at the man who I love more than my next breath. I honestly didn’t know men like him existed, but I’m so glad they do—and that he is mine. He’s going back to Corbin thismorning and I’m already missing him. It wasn’t planned. There was an emergency meeting. A member named Apex was shot late last night. The club has no idea who did it or why. Sabre is in charge of club security, so he needs to go back and check everything out. He’s going to meet with them and then come back with more clothes, because he’s not leaving me and Cammie alone—especially now. I told him we’d be okay, but he just looked and me and said we’re his family and he will live here and commute back and forth to Corbin, until I’m ready to move there. The club is leaning towards Apex being shot because of someone he got involved with. Which would mean it’s not club related, but Eli is still having member come down here and watch over us while he’s gone.
I’ve decided not to fight it. There’s somedays you just need to pick your battles. For me, I know Eli is doing this because he wants me and Cammie safe. That is special. It means a lot. So, there’s no point in fighting about it. Besides, I know he’ll worry less and be careful while he’s away if he knows we’re safe. It’s a heady feeling knowing your man cares so much that he wants you protected when he’s not able to be there.
“What are you thinking, Skittles?”
I laugh at that silly nickname. “I was just thinking you’re going overboard having me and Cammie with what essentially amounts to a bodyguard, but I’m not going to argue about it, because I know it will keep you from worrying.”
“And this is why you’re the perfect woman,” he murmurs, leaning over to press his lips to mine—way too briefly.
“Daddy, you kissin’ Mama!”
Eli pulls back to look at me, giving me a wink. “That I am, Pixie, and now, I’m thinking it’s about time I blew raspberries on my favorite daughter’s belly.”
Cammie’s eyes go round and then she starts giggling. When Eli stands up, she takes off running—cackling as she goes. Hefake runs to chase after her. I decide to follow so I can snap a picture on my phone. I use the video and tape him following her, catching all her squeals that are mixed with laughter. He picks her up as they get to my bedroom, gently tosses her on the bed, before leaning over to tickle her and blow raspberries on her belly. She laughs so hard that she starts crying out. “Daddy! Daddy! I gotta pee!” I click from video to camera. I wait till she starts to get up, Eli leans down and kisses the top of her head and the look of love on each of their faces is so strong that it brings tears to my eyes. I snap the photo, promising myself that I will have it put on canvas soon.
When Cammie runs to the bathroom, Eli comes to stand beside me. “Have I told you that I love you yet this morning, Skittles?”
“Only ten or twelve times. It was much more yesterday,” I say with a smirk.
The doorbell rings, and I grimace looking at Eli. “I’ll be back tonight. You’ll barely have time to miss me, sweetheart.”
