Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 53361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 213(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 213(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
“Okay,” I said simply. “I’ll stay.”
He reached for my hand then, intertwining his fingers with mine. Our hands looked right together, his large and scarred, mine smaller though not fashionably delicate. Marcus leaned forward, his free hand cradling the back of my neck as he drew me to him. The kiss was different from those we’d shared before. Not so desperate and hungry, but soft with deep meaning. Like a promise. His lips moved against mine with deliberate tenderness.
When he pulled back, his forehead rested against mine, our breathing almost ragged in the quiet morning light. Whatever came next, we would face it together. And for the first time in my life, I thought I might have found the future I’d always dreamed of.
Chapter Twelve
Rancor
My phone buzzed against the nightstand, shattering our quiet moment with its harsh vibration. I reached for it, already recognizing Knuckles’ code of three short bursts that meant he’d called church. Cora’s warmth pressed against my side as I thumbed open the message, my jaw tightening as I read. “Fuck,” I muttered.
“What is it?” Cora asked.
I showed her the screen.
Common room. Now. Bring your woman.
She read it, her eyes widening slightly. “Your woman?” I watched her process the words, a tiny furrow forming between her brows. I’d promised to protect her, and now the club was demanding her presence at what was certainly going to be a strategy session about Reeves.
“Yeah, baby.” I had to smother my grin. “That’s you.”
“They want me there too?” she asked, uncertainty threading through her voice.
I nodded, already swinging my legs over the side of the bed. “This is good. Means they’re bringing you inside the circle.” I reached for my jeans, pulling them on without bothering with underwear. “Knuckles doesn’t invite outsiders to meetings.”
She sat up, clutching the sheet to her chest, her hair falling in tangled waves around her shoulders. “And now I’m not an outsider?”
I paused, one arm through my shirt sleeve. “You were never an outsider, Cora. Not since the first time you came to the compound. When you came back the next time the old ladies ordered, you were one of us.” The words came out rougher than I intended. “But now, you’re officially under club protection. Knuckles is acknowledging that to everyone by inviting you to join us.”
“You’re sure I’m not in trouble?”
I chuckled. “No, baby. If you were in trouble, you wouldn’t get a warning. And since you’re mine now, Knuckles will see to it everyone in this club protects you the same as they would the other old ladies. Once we make it official, he won’t have to make a grand gesture. Anywhere you wear your property cut, everyone will know you’re under the protection of Kiss of Death MC.”
The explanation seemed to satisfy her. Her features relaxed and she smiled up at me. “Thank you, Marcus. For everything.”
“You’re very welcome. And thank you for the same.” I leaned in and gave her one more soft kiss.
She dressed quickly while I shrugged into my club colors over my T-shirt. I watched her dress, her hands steady despite the tension I could feel radiating from her. When she finished, I reached for her, pulling her against my chest for a moment. She felt small in my arms, but not fragile. Never that. This woman had more strength than most men I knew. Maybe not physically, but she was mentally tough as nails. And I knew she wasn’t afraid to fight. She just needed a direction and a goal. Reeves had her off-balance before, but not now. She might be unsure in this new world, but my woman would fight tooth and nail against anyone who threatened what she considered hers. Same as me.
“Whatever Knight found,” I murmured against her hair, “we face it together. You understand?”
She nodded against my chest, then pulled back to look up at me. “I’m ready.”
The walk to the common room took us past several brothers. Diesel nodded to us from his position near the main entrance. Hawk stood outside the common room door, his posture deceptively relaxed while his gaze constantly scanned out the windows. The increased security wasn’t lost on Cora. I felt her press slightly closer to my side as we approached.
“Rancor,” Hawk acknowledged with a slight nod. His gaze shifted to Cora, assessing but not unkind. “Ma’am.”
“Hello, Hawk. Call me Cora. Ma’am makes me sound old.” She wrinkled her nose delicately.
Hawk chuckled. “Just mindin’ my manners. Carrie would have my hide if I accidentally insulted you.”
“Well, I’m not the formal sort. Carrie knows that.” All the women had made a point to make Cora feel at home. Though she hadn’t been around Carrie as much as some of the others, Cora genuinely liked the other woman.
The common room had transformed from its usual relaxed atmosphere into something resembling a war council. The long wooden table that normally hosted card games and meals now dominated the center of the space, surrounded by grim-faced club members and a couple of the old ladies. Hannah sat beside her husband, Knuckles, her usual warm smile still bright as she waved to Cora despite the situation. Pippa sat beside Gunnar, who had been drafted as de facto VP. He’d yet to accept the designation, but still put in the work. Gunnar said he didn’t want the responsibility. Pippa said he didn’t want to have to pretend to actually be responsible.