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Myra gives him a harsh glare, and he clears his throat, continuing. “I’m not setting up shop here, Mr. Angeline. Just trying to make a home.”
I nod. “I’m aware of that, or this conversation would be rather different. I’ll admit I don’t always hold true to the fairy tale and give warnings. Sometimes, harsher engagement is necessary from the get-go. Something I’m sure you understand. You also understand rank and protocol from both your time in the service and your time with the Eagle Raiders. Yet, you chose to skirt both in this instance, which begs the question . . . why?”
His face clouds, and his gaze turns inward, as though he’s deciding something important. After a few moments, he looks up, his eyes full of concern.
“Mr. Angeline, do you have someone? A woman? A best friend? A dog, for fuck’s sake? Someone really important?”
Allie flashes to mind, but I’m certainly not telling this man about my love life. Instead, I hum an agreement, which he seems to accept because he continues.
“Then you understand loving someone so much that you want to shout it from the fucking rooftops, tattoo their name on your skin, claim them proudly everywhere you go, but knowing that would be dangerous for them. So you bottle that up and keep how special they are private to protect them from the bad parts of your life. And you know they deserve better, and you wish that you could give it to them, but you’re giving them all you have and just hanging on for dear life, hoping that it’s enough. To keep them with you and to keep them safe, always walking that line.”
His words are honest and hit with a sharp sting, more accurate than he could’ve guessed. And with his simple declaration, the pieces fall into place. These two MC soldiers aren’t living here as any means of moving into my city. They’re merely watching each other’s backs as one of their own tries to find whatever version of a ‘happily ever after’ he can.
It’s poetic in a way, a tiny dandelion whisper of hope to even a monster like me. I nod my head several times and let the corners of my mouth tilt up in a hint of a smile.
“I can understand that, even appreciate it. But rules are rules. What exactly are you willing to do to stay on the proper side of that line?”
Zallow’s off the couch in an instant flash of anger, his words spat with the venom he has yet to show. “I’m not one of your guys, Angeline. I’ve already pledged allegiance and that’s not fucking changing.”
I didn’t move when he stood and I don’t now either, simply sitting back and letting my sigh of disappointment wash over them both. Myra grabs at his hand, pulling him back to the couch beside her. She holds his hand tightly, her thumb running a soothing path along his skin. It’s a fascinating thing to behold, the way he relaxes in increments from her mere touch.
She’s obviously somewhat submissive to him, she’d have to be to be his Old Lady, but she has such power in their dynamic. It reminds me of Allie and myself, though Allie has yet to recognize the power she holds over me.
Once she has calmed the beast, I give him a genuine smile. “I never asked you to. In fact, I respect that more than you’d know. But that wasn’t what I was implying when I said rules are rules.”
His eyebrows furrow together, and then he gets it. He growls under his breath, frustrated and searching for a way out of doing this. Such a simple thing, a small ask, really, but it’s the point of the matter between men like us. Of course, he’s not on my level, but he is a proud man, and I’m asking him to castrate himself, in front of his woman, no less.
He looks to Myra and then to the babe I’ve yet to glimpse in the bundle of blankets, his eyes soft, but when he turns back to me, his gaze hardens.
The words are forced out of his throat, but they come. “Mr. Angeline, may I live inside your city with my family? I intend no ill will toward you and yours. I merely wish to live a simple, happy life, knowing we are safe here.”
I know he can see the sparkling light of triumph in my eyes, though the win is small now that I know he’s not a scout looking for a way into my town.
“You and your family are more than welcome in East Robinsville, Mr. Zallow . . . provided you maintain a household, not a stronghold. No more than your immediate family plus one at any time. I will make Pete aware of our arrangements, and I trust that you will you do the same for Mr. Chambers as his VP.”
