Page 46 of Twisted Road

Keys did his best not to laugh. He had crossed into some idiotic romantic realm where he could use descriptive words like adorable. Because she was. He wasn’t just addicted to her taste. Or that tight, silken pussy that strangled his cock. He was addicted to her laughter. That light that shone for him. Only him.

“I made a mistake, Wildfire. It was a big one, and you got hurt because of it,” he admitted gruffly. “Wanted to give you everything. A family. Security. Friends. Moved too fast. Like you, they mistook my using pussy for a need. It was never that. A distraction, a way to force myself to keep going when I had nothing else. Empty life. Nothing mattered to me. My loyalty to my club and momentary release from the buildup of knowing what I am—that was it, my entire life. I should have known we would be enough. No one else matters. We make the rules in our world. We decide who we let in.”

Keys framed her face with both hands and forced her to turn toward him. “Give me your eyes. Not the fucking mask, Lyric. Look at me.”

There was a brief hesitation, and his heart skipped a beat. Her vibrant green gaze met his. He bent his head to brush kisses over both eyes, the tip of her nose and each corner of her mouth.

“You get me, Lyric.” He made the statement and then took her mouth.

That mouth. Those lips. Her taste. Fresh snow and strawberries. He would take that taste to his grave. He tried for gentle because she’d had a hell of a bad time when it was supposed to be good, but gentle never worked out so well for him. He dragged her onto his lap and let the fire burn through both of them. When he lifted his head, and he only did because he wasn’t going to be able to keep his hands off her, he looked right into her eyes, allowing himself to fall.

“Say it,” he commanded.

“I get you,” she whispered. “Our rules.”

She made that little moue that always put steel in his cock, but then just about everything about her did. She said it, but she didn’t believe it. He was taking it anyway.

“More like your rules. You just can’t help handing them out willy-nilly,” she added.

He burst out laughing. “There you go with your wild vocabulary.” He glanced over his shoulder, hoping they’d gotten lucky and the three arrogant pricks he called brothers were gone. No such luck. They’d been joined by Czar, Savage and Reaper. That wasn’t good.

“President of the club is waiting along with Savage and Reaper. Those two may look scary, Wildfire, but they both have women they answer to. Czar has Blythe. She’s the heart of the club and he adores her. Openly, I might add, but he’s a force to be reckoned with.” He caught her chin. “You up for this?”

She nodded. “As long as you meant what you said and I don’t have to fit in.”

“You fit with me, Lyric. That’s everything that matters to me. I want you happy, but I trust that you’ll get that way over time because you definitely were happy in that little nowhere town around Headed for Hell bikers.”

He stood up, reached down and drew her to her feet. “We’re very respectful of Czar. You’re my woman, Wildfire, and I’m responsible for anything you say or do, not you.”

He knew how she would react. She tilted her face and for a brief moment he caught the flash of her smile. He’d known that was coming and his heart did a peculiar twist.

“I can get you in trouble with the big boss?”

“When I said you wouldn’t be held responsible, I meant by Czar. You get me in trouble, there will be consequences.” He gave her his scariest voice, even knowing it would be wasted on her.

Czar was always an imposing figure. Very dangerous men meeting him were careful around him. He gave off a dark, brooding energy that reeked of sheer power.

Keys was a little shocked at how protective he felt toward Lyric. He felt her reluctance to be held against him, under the shelter of his shoulder, so he held her hand. She would have to live with that. He was making it clear to all of them—no matter what they thought of his ability to stay faithful to a woman, or his past choices in the type of woman he preferred to fuck—Lyric was his one. His only. He didn’t care what they thought. Not even Czar.

“Honey, you’re giving off some pretty aggressive vibes,” she whispered just as they reached the group of his Torpedo Ink brethren.

Keys had the sudden urge to drag Lyric close to him. He knew Czar. Knew that piercing, speculative gaze that rested on Lyric, not on him. Czar had gifts. Keys knew those gifts were very real. It had been Czar who’d chosen those children who would form unbreakable bonds, intensely loyal to one another and willing to do whatever it took to survive. Czar had given them a strict code of honor they still lived by.

Somehow, he knew when two people fit. He would see past any mask Lyric wore to the woman she was. He would see her loyalty and her survival skills. She did fit with Torpedo Ink, but would Czar look at Keys and see what the others did? That he wasn’t worthy of Lyric? That he would never be the man she needed?

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Lyric,” Czar greeted. “I understand a couple of the brothers made complete fools of themselves. They’ve been known to have foot-in-mouth disease. Fortunately, all three of them have women, and I won’t have to spend time explaining to them what idiots they are. The women will take care of it.”

“Arrogant pricks,” Keys corrected. “I’ve been guilty of that myself, but I have to say, Czar, this one looks sweet, but take a look at this.” He tugged the hood off her head, revealing Lyric’s vivid crimson hair. It was clear it was natural and the brightest, purest red he’d ever seen. “She’s got a nasty temper and, when she’s upset, a foul mouth.”

Czar raised his eyebrow when Lyric’s mask slipped and her laughter bubbled up. Keys loved that sound. It cleared the tension from the air immediately.

“Somehow, Keys, having known you for years, I doubt that she can keep up with your colorful vocabulary.”

Lyric’s laughter rose into the air, her light shining brighter than the sun for Keys. He couldn’t help the look he shot to Czar. Czar’s nod was nearly imperceptible, but it was there. His approval. His knowledge that Keys belonged with Lyric.

“I’m told you’re excited about the shop.” Czar gestured toward the building beside Label 287. “The brothers say it can be put to rights quickly. Blythe, my wife, asked me to find out if you work with children.”

Lyric nodded. “I do, but sadly, I’m not going to be able to open a salon. I’ll work for someone else, and when I have the money to replace my things, I’ll try again.”