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“I happen to think that’s an exemplary example of parenting. And I’d only teach them to bark at those who deserved it.”

“Them? How many are we having?”

“I figured six was a nice number.”

“Six?” she gasped. “Two!”

“You drive a hard bargain, but fine. We’ll compromise with seven.”

“You figure out how to carry them, and we can have a dozen,” she laughed, wrapping her arms around my neck and sinking her fingers into my hair, pulling my head down to hers.

“When are we doing this?” she whispered against my lips. “Let’s set a date now, and then we can start planning.”

“I’ll speak to Crash during Church. The Devils will need a few months to get things in order, just in case the Riders do kick off. And I want to make sure the safe room is fully equipped should you need somewhere to hide.”

“Do you really think it will come to that?”

“I’d rather hope for the best, but plan for the worst. I’m not risking your safety, Gabby. I don’t expect it to go smoothly. But my brothers and I will make sure we come out on top. So, I think we do it after your twenty-fifth. It’s six months away. That gives us all plenty of time to get things in order and prepare for any retaliation from your club.”

“Maybe… maybe this will be a bridging point. It doesn’t have to be like this forever. This could mark the end of the Devils/Rider rivalry.”

“Nothing is impossible, Gabby. But this is my life. The Devils, the club… it’s who I am. If push came to shove, can you stand by and watch me fight your brothers, your dad? The men you were raised with?”

“If it came to that, then yes. Because you’re fighting for my freedom. For my ability to make a choice. They would be fighting to control me. I choose you, Luke. I want the life you’re offering me.”

“I will always choose you, Gabby. The Devils are my life, but as far as I’m concerned, you are a Devil. You’re a part ofeverything I do. All you need to do is trust me, and believe we can make this work.”

“I trust you, Vienna,” she breathed, her eyes shining. I choked on a breath hearing my road name come from her lips. She never used it. She always called me Luke. The fact that she did so now… I understood what she was doing. She was showing that she accepted me, too. Both sides of me. The man she loved, and the biker she trusted. I lowered my head, kissing her gently.

“Right, that’s enough,” she said suddenly, pushing at my chest. “You have Church to get ready for, and you could do with a shave before you do.”

“I’m not shaving right now, Gabby. You’re fucking naked beneath me. Shaving is the last thing on my mind.”

“Yeah, and my skin is paying the price,” she laughed, and then hissed as I nuzzled my face against her neck. “Your stupid stubble is giving me a rash.”

“Stupid stubble? Well, that’s rude. It’s called style, Princess.”

“It’s called fucking laziness. Go and shave,” she demanded, but wrapped her legs around my waist anyway, preventing me from leaving.

“Hmm… I don’t think I will,” I said, grinding my hips against her until her breaths came in desperate pants. “Since you hate it so much, I’ve decided I’m never shaving again. Not until you’re officially mine.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she moaned, arching her back and thrusting her hips up to meet mine.

“I’m serious. The day you’re officially my old lady is the day that I’ll shave. If you don’t go ahead with this after your twenty-fifth, be prepared to see a very sexy-looking Gandalf wandering around.”

“I’m almost tempted to delay just to see that,” she laughed, and then moaned loudly as I thrust inside her. “Luke…” she breathed, rocking her hips against me.

“You’ll be mine on your twenty-fifth, even if I have to chain you to this bed and force you to stay,” I promised darkly, only half serious.

“I can think of worse places to be chained. Now, Gandalf, go ahead and make me cum. You have Church in ten minutes.”

Chapter 33

Gabriella

Now

The walk back should have felt like escape.