AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Sunglasses?” I teased, and he grinned.
“That too, and Little Bit,” he said as he lifted me off the counter and touched the gun I had tucked into the holster at the small of my back, “armed is good.”
I grinned. “I can handle that.”
“I know you can. You’re my best girl.”
Okay, that wasn’t fair because a delicious shiver went right through me. “Oh, does that come with a reward?” I couldn’t help the tease. Course, then he gave me the slowest smile that threatened to strip me right out of my clothes. If Milo caught me fucking Mickey in the kitchen, he might never get over it.
“Go get what I told you to get, and we’ll see.” Oh, that sounded good. I pressed a hand to his chest and nuzzled a kiss to his jaw. He cupped my nape and held me there for a moment, before giving me a gentle shove. “Go. Or I’ll be delaying us by eating you out on that table and the guys might get the idea I want company with you.”
Whew. I blew out a breath because that was a most tempting threat. “I’ll be right back.”
The scorching heat of his gaze followed me all the way to the stairs and lingered over me as I took them two at a time. Kellan and Jasper were in the suite talking when I let myself back in…talking and planning.
“Hey guys,” I said as I dropped a kiss on Kellan’s lips before turning to Jasper. “I’m heading out with Mickey…”
CHAPTER18
DOC
Voodoo and Bones followed us when we left the warehouse. I wasn’t in my truck but in a car Alphabet had secured for me. The fact it was a muscle car and had a standard shift helped settle my nerves. I liked having the control. As with the other vehicles Liam had been bringing in, the car was armored and reinforced with bullet-resistant glass, among other fun features.
The kids understood conflict and protecting the territory we’d claimed, as well as protecting each other. My guys understood war and that we were already in the middle of several engagements. Blood had been spilled, and we would be spilling more before this was over.
“Tell me you’re not taking her somewhere to stash her,” Kellan commanded when he came down while she changed. “If this is an end run to do what you wanted to do with her, that’s not going to fly.”
I sighed. Irritation rifled through me, though I could hardly fault him. “I thought about it,” I told him and ignored the cold-eyed stare. Kellan had every right to be protective. They all did. He was every bit as in love with her as the others were…
As I was.
So I could respect his need to ask the question. Even the need to remind me that this wasn’t my call. He was a damn good leader, but I would never take my orders from him.
“As I said,” I continued before he could rip into me on the subject, “I thought about it. Little Bit will never go for it. While I might be able to live with her hating me as long as she was alive and in one piece, I can’t live with hurting her.”
Sending her away wouldhurther.
No matter how much I wanted her as far away from the hell coming for all of us—coming for her. That was the point. It was coming forher. Totakeher.
“So no, I want some time with her.” Time to talk to her—to really speak to her in a way that I hadn’t. “You guys alsoneedsome time to hammer out the plans. Lunchbox and Alphabet will be here. Talk to Alphabet about what you need. He’ll get it made.”
“No questions asked?” Kellan said, observing me. His prior tension seemed to have eased at my admission, but I shrugged.
“He’ll ask what he needs to know. They’re aware of the sensitivity of the situation,” I said, casting a quick look up the stairs, “as well as the risks. If he can’t do it, he’ll let you know. If he needs more, he’ll tell you that too.”
He nodded once. “If you plan to keep her out all night, text me. I’d prefer you had backup for both of you, even if you want privacy.”
Rubbing the back of my neck, I tilted my head to stare at the ceiling. “I’ll let you know.”
“Doc…” Kellan said, a glimmer of sympathy in his eyes. “This isn’t forever.”
“No, it is forever,” I told him as I straightened. “She is forever.”
That was the admission I’d been avoiding for months. Pushing her away had seemed the thing to do for her and for Milo. In the beginning, before I knew who she was, I’d been willing to deal with their reactions to getting her away if that was what she wanted.
In all of this, I’d been fighting them, fighting her, and, most of all, fighting myself. I locked gazes with Kellan.
“If she is forever, that means we are.” That meant we had to find a way to balance this relationship, all of us with her. He blew out a breath and then chuckled.
