Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36353 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36353 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
When I found Gemma back in the lounge, she was crouched beside Luna, who was whispering secrets into her ear and giggling like they were plotting world domination. Chase had a cookie in one hand and was using the other to tug on Gemma's toffee-colored braid while babbling nonsense as she laughed. He made a move to take off, and she caught him before he could slip away again. “Oh no, you don’t, little jackrabbit.”
I watched her for a moment. The vision of her in the center of something bright, safe, and chaotic. A dream I’d never dared to want.
When I slowly crossed the room to her, my boots were heavy on the floor, and my chest was tight with something too big to name. Then I cupped her face in my hands. “Come with me.”
Her smile faded at my tone. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing you need to worry about, baby. I just want you where I can see you.”
I waited until she handed the little boy off to his mother, then I led her out, fast but not rushed, aware of every movement and every glance over her shoulder. When we reached my room, I scooped her into my arms before sitting in the desk chair and settling her on my lap.
“We’ve got a lead,” I told her. “You don’t need the details, but we’re going after the people responsible. And I want you to stay here where you’re protected.”
Her brow furrowed. “Is it about Ellen?”
I hesitated. “Yes. That’s why I need to go.”
Her voice cracked. “Then let me come. If she’s there—”
“No.”
“Callum—”
“No.” I grabbed her hips, eyes locked on hers. “This isn’t up for debate. I need to know you’re here where no one can get to you. I won’t be able to breathe, much less focus if I’m worried about you.”
Tears welled in her gorgeous brown orbs, but she nodded slowly.
“Thank you, baby,” I murmured before I kissed her. It was dark and intense as I poured every violent promise and aching need into that one point of contact. When I finally pulled back, I wrapped my hand gently around the back of her neck and pressed my forehead to hers.
“He’s not going to win.”
Her throat bobbed. “But what if he already—”
“He won’t, Gemma.”
I kissed her forehead, then rested my lips on her temple.
“We’ll end it. All of it.”
Her lips trembled. “Come back to me.”
“Always, baby.”
13
GEMMA
“Staring at the door isn’t going to make him get back any faster.”
I swiveled my head to flash Molly a sheepish grin. “Is it that obvious?”
“Only because I’ve done this more times than I can count.” Molly scooped Luna into her arms. “And I grew up in the life.”
“Really?” I had gotten to know Maverick’s wife during my time at the clubhouse, but I had no idea she and her sister, Dahlia—who was married to the Iron Rogue president—had been raised in an MC.
“Yeah, Dahlia and I are club princesses.” She tickled Luna, her sweet giggles filling the empty space of the large lounge area. “Just like this little one, except our dad was the prez and hers is the VP.”
“Which club?” I asked.
“The Silver Saints.”
I nodded, as though the name meant something to me even though this was the first time I’d heard it. “Cool.”
“So you can trust me when I tell you to find a good distraction because it’s gonna be a long night,” she recommended with a soft laugh as Luna’s fingers wiggled under her chin.
Chase crawled across the black leather couch to get in on the tickling action, and inspiration struck. “Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.”
I raced up to Callum’s room and stood in the doorway for a moment, taking in the space we’d shared the night before. It didn’t make me miss him any less, but it helped me breathe a little easier.
I spotted my camera bag on the corner of his desk and crossed the room to grab it. The thought of pointing my lens at something innocent and full of life made me feel a little more like myself. I took one last glance around the space that had our things mixed. It wasn’t nearly as tidy as it’d been the day Callum brought me here. And it definitely wasn’t stark anymore. I liked that I’d brought some life into the room where he spent so much time.
With my camera secure in my hands and a quiet determination building in my chest, I headed back downstairs. I couldn’t be out there helping Callum and his club brothers, but I could capture the little moments worth protecting. Reminders of what they were fighting for while they were out saving Ellen.
By the time I made it back to the lounge, Molly was on the floor with Luna and Chase, their giggles echoing through the area like sunlight. Luna wore a sparkly tutu and mismatched socks, and Chase happily gnawed on the end of a spoon like it was the best teether in the world.