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But he’s here now and he made it clear he intends to be in my life.
Yeah, obviously, I’m conflicted and there is one person I know who has some experience dealing with a domineering man. When Dahliah answers the phone, I don’t even say hello when she greets me. I simply blurt out everything that has happened to me in the span of less than a day. It feels good to get off my chest and I feel lighter. Right up until I realize Dahlia is laughing.
“Hey,” I whine, “it’s not funny.”
She makes a wheezing sound on the other end of the line and if I weren’t driving, I would stomp my foot right now. I called her as soon as I was settled in my car after leaving my last patient of the day and my time is limited here. Chain’s jaw was set when he told me Penance is expecting me at the clubhouse. I have a feeling I can’t make a detour.
“It’s kind of funny,” Dahlia’s voice is filled with amusement.
“It’s not. He hurt me,” I snap at her and instantly feel bad. “I’m sorry,” I mumble.
“Don’t apologize, you’ve clearly been through a lot including, from the sound of it, some good orgasms.” My cheeks heat, but she’s not fucking wrong. “He sounds like Tazio in the sense that he wants to take care of you.”
“What should I do? I’m not used to anyone taking care of me,” I sound sullen, even though the thought of having someone at my side makes me feel giddy.
“Let him.” I gasp and she sighs. “I’m serious, Evelyn. Let him take care of you. Let him show you the man he’s become. Let him apologize for whatever happened in the past when you were both just stupid kids. Then, if you’re heart is on board, see where it goes.”
I know she’s right. I can feel it deep in my soul, but it’s hard to let go of the things that made me run so long ago. I clung to them and used them to make me strong while I learned how to love myself.
I chat with Dahlia until we’re almost at the clubhouse and then I thank her for her advice. “Of course. You’re my friend. Call me when you need more tips on how to deal with a caveman, but I will tell you this—a good blow job works wonders.”
She’s cackling as she hangs up the phone and I am left a little stunned. Her advice gives me ideas. Ideas of how Bennett’s cock will feel in my mouth and how he will taste. I’m turned on and excited to see him by the time I park and that’s when I realize that I need to listen to him, and then let the past go.
If I don’t, I might miss out on a beautiful future and that would be a shame.
CHAPTER 10
PENANCE
The exhaustion I’ve been feeling all day as I’ve been investigating Sam’s death is deep. It’s a feeling I don’t think even a week of sleep will chase away. It’s not just Sam’s death either, it’s being so close to everything I want, but knowing it could be taken away from me at any moment.
I need Evelyn in my life. Having her in my arms for one night has made it obvious to me. I’m not sure how I survived being away from her for so long. I’m kicking myself for not approaching her since she moved back. There’s so much wasted time staring back at me when I think of her.
Back then and now.
The sense of peace I woke up with as her soft curves grounded me while reminding me there is hope in this world, is one I need. Then when I came down to the kitchen, I was relieved to find her talking with Lennon and McKenzie. It made my heart happy in a way I didn’t know I could feel.
I’ve felt a sense of accomplishment when I’ve helped those who have been trafficked. It didn’t make me happy, not in the way Evelyn does.
There aren’t enough leads on Sam’s death. None of the cameras caught anything useful. All we have is speculation and a gut feeling. It’s very possible this is related to us working for Volkov. If it is, war will be on our doorstep.
We aren’t going to stop doing the work we’re doing. We can’t. Not after what happened to Monk’s sister.
I only met the man after he lost his sister, not just to traffickers, but to the demons in her head after she was rescued. I can see that those same demons haunt him. The only thing in his life that gives him purpose is saving others from the same fate, and the club.
We could go after anyone from Morozov’s organization that might be left around, but—and this is a big but—what if we’re wrong and it’s not related. None of our guts are evidence, and we have to be smart about our next mood. Even if everything in us wants retribution right now.
I take a deep breath when I climb off my bike and see Evelyn’s car is already in the lot. I’ve checked in with her a few times and enough times with Chains that he was probably getting sick of me, but knowing I’ll be able to put my eyes on her has my feet moving quickly toward the door. I hear her laughter the moment I’m inside.
My eyes snag on her across the common room where she’s sitting on one of the couches with McKenzie, Lennon, Bronco, and a few other brothers hanging out around her. The light catches her blonde hair, but it’s the smile on her face and the laughter in her eyes that makes her luminous.
I stalk in her direction, sending menacing looks at the single brothers who have been drawn to my little feather. They smirk at me, and I can only hope they know that I’ll kill them before I let anyone take her from me. Not again. I wouldn’t survive it.
I’m a little surprised when I hold my hand out for Evelyn, and she slips hers into it without hesitation. I pull her to her feet, and she lands against my chest with a small oomph. Her navy eyes are wide and full of surprise and heat as she looks up at me.
I swoop down and kiss her, needing to taste her, needing her to melt against me. She doesn’t disappoint. As I’m surrounded by her citrus and jasmine scent, I can relax for the first time since I saw her this morning.
I mumble against her lips, “I missed you, little feather.”
