Yesterday, Willow took up our time, today, I was at work dealing with the inmate who, unfortunately, is still in the hospital because Dr. Lavish accidentally left a sharp object on a tray in his room, and the man managed to stab himself in the ribs this time.
Thankfully, he missed his lung, but he’s now having to stay in hospital for a little longer, and yeah, I said thankfully. He doesn’t get to take the easy way out after killing an innocent child, he deserves to suffer.
Miles looks my way and raises a brow, and I swallow again.
It's been nearly twenty-four hours since his admission, and we haven’t spoken. I think we need to change that, especially while Willow is in bed and before he goes to church at nine.
I’m in love with him. I always have been, even if I never wanted to admit it to myself. I think I need to fight for him if I want a future with him. To do that, we need to get everything out in the open. Maybe then I can disconnect the man sitting before me, confessing his feelings, from the man who pushed me away and made me feel like a burden after he forced me to marry him.
“Lavender told me several times over the years that I assaulted you, all the club bunnies did,” I admit, and his eyes darken as he slowly closes his laptop. I continue, “She spent years telling me that you and she were together, that I was being selfish keeping you both apart. I didn’t believe her not at first, not about the assault thing because like you it is what I felt, but more about you two being an item until I saw the necklace around her neck that Willow found in your cut.”
Miles groans as he drops his head back, but I don’t react.
I know he gave it to her, I just don’t know why, and now I’m second-guessing myself because he has sworn they weren’t together, that they never have been together.
"It has a mic," he says. "Every bunny got one, but hers also tracks her. She doesn’t know. Like I said, buttercup, I know who drugged us, but some brothers refuse to vote her out. The necklaces were the next best step before I kill her."
I nod in understanding.
Some older generation, including my own father, is still hanging onto the old by-laws – innocent until proven guilty, even against a brother's word.
“Maybe it’s time the by-laws are changed,” I say softly, and he smiles.
“Cage has already set the meeting, that is what church is about tonight,” he admits, and I nod again before I sigh. “Talk to me,” he whispers, and I swallow the lump forming.
“I’m finding it hard to believe your admission about loving me, I’m struggling to see that you’ve claimed me because you have spent so long pushing me away, making me feel like I did assault you,” I say quietly, “I haven’t been with anyone else Miles, and for years I have always known it was you but I pushed those feelings away because you never looked at me that way before and then suddenly you do want me? It’s hard to separate both men, the one from the years of disconnect to the one canceling my lease…”
He looks at me with heartbreak, but there is no guilt, which doesn’t surprise me.
The landlord called a few days ago and said he can’t rent to me again, said he was disappointed to find out I had a husband, because apparently he wanted to ask me out, then had the nerve to confirm if I am, in fact, married.
Safe to say I hung up on him then blocked his number.
Sighing, Miles puts his laptop on the coffee table before he stands and walks my way. Trying to keep eye contact, I have to tell you, is extremely hard because my husband, his body, is just, yeah, it’s drool worthy.
Chewing my bottom lip as he presses himself against my body, then cups my cheek, his eyes take in my features.
“I know it’s a lot, baby, believe me, I know,” he murmurs as our eyes lock, “It’s taken me six years to come to terms with the fact that I’m in love with you.”
“How can you say you love me when you told everyone at work that I was forced to marry you for my protection?” I ask, and he frowns.
He shakes his head, confusion in his eyes. “I didn’t tell anyone, buttercup. Two days after our marriage, I realized I did it tomake you mine. I knew you already had protection from the Chargers and everyone else.” He hesitates. “I thought you told everyone it was a marriage of convenience…”
Uh…
I frown along with him before a dark look overtakes his features, and he growls, “Looks like we have a traitor.”
“But who?” I ask, “The only person outside of the club that knew on my end was Belle, and we both know she’d rather go mute than say anything.”
His jaw locks as he grits, “Either a prospect, a club bunny, or my mother.”
“Or mine,” I whisper as it hits me, and Miles instantly clocks it as he grabs his phone quickly.
I frown, but he doesn’t lose eye contact as he presses on it, then puts his phone on speaker.
“Brother?” my blood brother answers.
“Has your mother told Nova about how my marriage with your sister came about?” Miles asks, and I slowly close my eyes with realization as I hear Crash question, “Mom, did you tell Nova why Trick and Clark married?”
