Page 73 of Riding Bare

“Now you trust me to take care of this, sweetheart.”

I want to ask him about Rocky’s part in this situation. I need details, or I’m going to sit in silence and panic. Sliding my tongue along my bottom lip, I wet my flesh as I try to breathe, then bite the inside of my cheek. I can’t help but wonder what the hell is coming next.

“Amos,” I whisper. “What really happens now?”

He laughs softly, and I can’t help but wonder if he knows something I don’t know. Waiting for his response, I close my eyes slowly and just breathe, hoping that whatever comes my way isn’t devastating in some way.

“Chassis, now you trust me to take care of this shit. I’m done waiting. I’m not going to give you details. I’m going to do what needs to be done.”

“And if it starts a war?”

I know enough about this world to realize that whatever he’s about to do to Samuil could start a war, and that’s the last thing I want. When he says he’s going to do what needs to be done, that’s usually in a permanent way.

I don’t want any of his people to die because of me, and if we’re in a war, that’s what will happen… people will die.

“Then it starts a fucking war.”

“Amos,” I exhale.

He chuckles. “It’s nothing you need to worry about, sweetheart.”

Nothing to worry about is bullshit.

We both know it.

As much as I want to poke and prod him, I decide against it. I want Amos to tell me everything. I want to hear it from his lips, so I wait, and wait a little more, and then he responds to me, but it’s not the way I want him to.

“I got this, Skel. I want you to stay where you are until this shit is done. Consider yourself on virtual lockdown. Don’t go into town, don’t even hang around outside to drink your morning coffee. Stay inside, stay safe, and I’ll come for you soon.”

“Amos,” I exhale.

“I’ll come for you, Chassis.”

“Don’t take too long.” And I mean that.

I don’t want him to leave me out here. I start to tell him that I love him, but he ends the call before I can get the words out. It is probably for the best. I don’t know how he would take it anyway.

Husband or not, I don’t think we’re at the I love you stage—even though that is exactly how I feel about him. I’ve never felt this way before. When it comes to Amos, I want everything he has to give.

I want it all.

I want him, his protection, his safety, and his heart.

I want everything.

And I don’t care how selfish that makes me sound.

CHAPTER

FIFTY-SEVEN

DARE

I should be filled with relief, because I know now that she’s safe. I don’t know where she is or who she’s with other than her brother and someone he claims can be trusted. I didn’t ask any questions, just in case there was any way whatsoever that Samuil was tapped into my phone. I can’t imagine he could do that, but fuck, weirder shit has happened in life.

“Everything good?” Lee asks.

Good? Absolutely fucking no.