“Not soon enough,” I grunted.
“Not soon enough,” he agreed. “For now, we keep up our guard. We can intensify patrols. Extend the boundary so no one can even get close.”
“I want those fuckers’ heads on a spike,” I snarled.
“But you’ll settle for dead,” Max put in.
“That’ll work,” I agreed darkly. “I want this shit over and done with so Francesca can move on—start her life here free and clear.”
“There’s what you want and what is.” My pop spoke up, his gaze trained on me. “You can’t control when this shit unfolds. Don’t make her wait for what she doesn’t have to. Start work on the bakery. Not everything has to be put on hold.”
I nodded. “You’re right. We still meeting there tomorrow?” A lot of the club had volunteered to help with construction of the bakery. I hadn’t told her that yet, wondering if the fact might overwhelm her.
“Wouldn’t miss it,” he returned. “Get your girl home. She needs you close now.”
“Right,” I muttered as he clapped me on the back with the rough affection I’d been receiving since I was old enough not to be bowled over by his strength.
“You did good,” he added.
“Thanks, Pop,” I replied with a chin lift to the room at large as I left to collect my girl.
My pop was right, I couldn’t control when this shit was over and done with. But I could control how we spent the time in between. I was determined to give Francesca as close to freedom as I could while still maintaining her safety.
She deserved this new life where she was loved without strings, where she could start over on her terms. I’d give her anything she wanted in life, as long as it was with me.
Chapter 20
FRANCESCA
“You sure you want to do this?” Maddox asked the next morning as we neared the site of the bakery.
“I’m not gonna let you do all the fun stuff,” I protested with a grin.
When Maddox had mentioned he was starting construction on the bakery, I’d been quick to say I wanted to join him.
He chuckled. “Have you ever even held a hammer?”
“No, but I’m sure I can figure it out,” I defended. “Plus, it’s our place. I want to knock some walls down too.”
He looked over at me, something flashing in his gaze before he returned eyes to the road. “Baby, I may have bought the place, but it doesn’t have to be ours. I want to help but this can be all you if you want it that way.” He pulled into the parking lot and cut the engine.
“Are we starting a life together?” I demanded quietly.
He looked over at me, clearly surprised by my tone. “’Course we are.”
“Well then, nothing is just mine. And I don’t want it to be,” I was quick to add when he looked ready to protest. I took off my seat belt and straddled his lap. “I know you think I need all this independence, babe. And I do in some regard,” I explained, looking into his gorgeous eyes. “But what I really need is to have a voice, to have choices. You give that to me. Every day. And I choose to do this with you just like I chose to tie my life to yours.”
His hands gripped my thighs nearly to the point of pain. “Why do you always say shit like this when we’re not near a bed?” he demanded heatedly.
I laughed lightly. “I’ll try to work on that.”
“You do that,” he rumbled, pulling me down for a kiss that quickly turned hot. Just as I was seriously considering the merits of a quickie in his truck, pounding sounded on the driver-side window as Cash came into view.
“Are we working or fucking?” he demanded.
“Fucking!” Maddox hollered back.
“Maddox Black!” I exclaimed, swatting at his chest, blushing profusely.
