AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I closed my eyes, no longer able to shove the emotions aside. “Because I love you, Harlow. Okay? I can’t imagine spending another night without you. I don’t think I could tolerate walking into that office if you weren’t there, doing your best to annoy the hell out of me. You are a special woman, but goddamn it, you need to start listening to me.”
Her mouth twisted in the same level of frustration that I felt, but as her expression softened, tears forming in her eyes, she pressed her hands against me. “Really?”
“Yes. A thousand times over, yes.” I fisted her hair, dragging her closer until she was forced to arch her back. “But woman, you need to start obeying me.”
“Mmm… We’ll see.” She closed her eyes, pursing her lips in a blatant invitation.
As her heart thudded against my chest, I lowered my head, capturing her mouth. While the passion between us roared, the dichotomy of concern and comfort kept the moment intimate, tender. I needed to feel her heated body against mine. I wanted to know she was safe in my arms, that I could keep her that way if and when Michael made good on his threat.
She clung to me, sliding one hand around my neck, the touch of her fingertips against my skin as scorching hot as usual. When I finally eased her away, she offered a slight smile.
“I told you before, you need to trust me. Can you do that now?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “But it’s nothing new. I felt that way from the moment I met you.”
I laughed, pressing my lips against her forehead. “Get a few things.”
“Okay.” She started to walk down the hall then stopped, only halfway turning so she could look me in the eyes. “Don’t die on me, Savage.”
Her words echoed in my mind as she disappeared. While I had no intention of allowing the bastard to win, I was prepared to protect the two girls I adored with my life. Fate had been trying to drag me straight to hell for several years. I’d leave it in karma’s hands as to whether the task would succeed this time.
If not?
Everything would be different.
I wasn’t about to become a praying man and I certainly didn’t deserve any level of salvation, but I’d finally begun to understand the true meaning of happiness. And I damn well wasn’t going to allow anyone to take it away from me without a savage fight.
* * *
Harlow
I’d never been on a motorcycle before the day I’d met Savage in that godforsaken little convenience store. I’d been completely terrified when he’d suggested I come with him, not because of the man’s dangerous persona, but because of the fear of crashing. Now I felt exhilarated, devoid of a single hint of anxiety about whether he knew how to drive the sleek Harley.
Maybe it was because when I was with him anywhere and everywhere, I felt completely safe. Tonight was no exception. Twilight had settled in, Savage taking several back roads, moving onto and back off the highways three times. He’d wanted to make certain we hadn’t been followed. The extended time allowed me to breathe easily for just a little while. I was no fool, but I sensed he had a plan he’d put together days ago, only biding his time until it was right.
He was far too calm, the arrival of the flowers just a part of business, expected as if the dark overture was merely a part of the game. I wanted to be angry with him for being so cavalier, but I’d learned enough about him to know it was either his way or no way. As I pressed my face against his back, my hands precariously close to the thick bulge between his legs, I felt happier than I had in a very long time.
Danger.
My father had talked about it several times, sharing combat stories that were nothing like what I suspected Savage had gone through. Even the story he’d told regarding his discharge he’d soft coated, likely out of embarrassment, which he shouldn’t need to endure. I was angry with the Army, furious that they’d toss him away, but I was also livid that Savage had allowed them to. I knew what he’d faced after the accusations had been made. The stories my father had told me about various proceedings were the only thing that had taken away a small portion of the love he’d felt for the men and women who served under him and the country he loved with all his heart.
As the rumble in the engine changed, I lifted my head, realizing I’d kept them closed for at least fifteen minutes. He continued to slow, rolling down what looked like Main Street in a small town. “Where are we?”
“Boulder City.”
“Why?”
“I’ll explain everything to you when we get there.”
I couldn’t imagine what we were doing here, but I’d promised to place my trust in him, and I intended on keeping it. He finally turned down a less populous street into a rural area. There were only a few streetlights, but I could tell the houses were older. When he pulled into a driveway, I could clearly see old, cultivated trees positioned on both sides of the street, highlighted by a floodlight.
He parked in front of a modest home, one that was nothing like the others I’d seen in Nevada up to this point. As soon as we got off the bike, the front door opened.
“Savage!” Lily and Princess raced outside, the little girl jumping into his arms. He’d brought her here days ago.
As he lifted her into the air, swinging her around, a couple moved onto the front porch. They both had smiles on their faces, which meant they’d been expecting our arrival.
“That’s my girl. Have you been good for Frank and Carrie?” he asked.
