I turned in my seat to find Mason’s head dropped to the side, fast asleep. “That was quick.”
Cal nodded. “He had a big morning.”
“Yeah,” I agreed turning to watch the landscape flash by. “That was fun.”
I realized then that “fun” was such a foreign concept to me. I had so few carefree moments.
“I’m glad,” he replied, reaching over to squeeze my thigh briefly before returning his hand to the wheel. “Babe, I’m gonna take care of this. I’ve been itching to get my hands on that piece of shit for longer than I care to admit.”
I looked over at him in surprise.
He turned briefly to meet my gaze before his eyes returned to the road. “He’s gonna regret threatening you until the end of his days.”
With Tim it had been a lot more than threats.
I realized then that Cal had no idea what my life with Tim had really been like. Sophie was one of the few people who knew and by association, Axel. He must have kept those details to himself. Otherwise something told me that Cal wouldn’t be so composed.
The details of my married life would be for me to divulge, if I ever found the nerve.
Would he think differently of me if he knew? Would he judge me for staying for as long as I had?
Suddenly my palms felt clammy as I fought for calm.
“Okay, honey?” His quiet concern came only a moment after my heart rate spiked. He was so in tune with me—I had no idea how he did that.
“Fine,” I rasped.
“He’s threatened you before,” he deduced.
“That’s a story for another day,” I murmured, throwing his words from earlier back at him and hoping like hell they stuck.
After a moment he nodded. “All right, babe. I’ll give you that. But that day? It’s coming soon.”
Of that I had little doubt.
Chapter 8
The dust kicked up on the unpaved road as we headed out of Hawthorne. I’d never been to Cal’s house but I doubted he lived out this way. There wasn’t much out here except desert and….
“We’re headed to the club.” He spoke up, answering my silent query. “I want to meet with the guys. I’ll keep it quick. I also need to get your phone to Sal.”
I nodded, watching the landscape fly by as we bounced along the road. Mason still slept soundly in the back. He’d slept through me packing up our belongings as well while Cal had waited in the car with him.
I’d been to the club a few times. I’d never felt comfortable there—it was a place for the members and their women. I was neither.
“I’ll just wait with Bubs. I don’t want to wake him,” I told Cal when we’d arrived at the club and he’d cut the engine.
As though he knew I was searching for an out, Mason’s eyes opened at my words.
“Looks like you can come in after all.” Cal winked as he climbed out of the SUV, walking around to my side to open my door for me.
“Oh good,” I muttered as my feet hit the ground.
He stepped into my space, his hand cupping my jaw gently, forcing my gaze up. “You’ve always avoided the club. Why?” he asked, his eyes staring intently down at mine.
In typical Cal fashion, his question cut directly to the point.
“I haven’t avoided the club, Cal. I just don’t belong here.” I shrugged.
