Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
My stomach twists. I keep my eyes on the road, pretending to think about how to phrase something harmless. “It’s complicated,” I say finally.
She huffs a small laugh that isn’t quite a laugh. “Everything between us seems to be complicated.”
“Guess that’s my charm.”
“Guess so.” We’re both quiet for another few miles. The lights of town appear ahead, flickering in the valley. She sighs softly, leaning back against the seat. “You know, Blade… I don’t need all your secrets. Not right now. I just need to know I can trust you.”
That hits me like a punch to the ribs. Because she can. But the truth? The truth would ruin everything right now. She’d be truly hurt—she’d look at me different. The casino, the resort, the promises I made her… all of it would look like one big lie. So, I reach over and take her hand, threading our fingers together. “You can,” I say quietly. “You already do.”
Her thumb moves against mine, slow and deliberate. “I want to,” she whispers.
The road curves, and I squeeze her hand once before letting go, both of us sinking back into the hum of the car. By the time we reach her house, she’s half asleep, her head resting against the window. I park, step out, and walk around to her side. She blinks up at me as I open her door.
“Home,” I murmur.
She smiles faintly, sleepy but soft. “You’re staying, right?”
“Wild horses couldn’t drag me away,” I reply with a wink.
Her fingers brush my wrist, and for a second, everything else—the lies, the secrets, the danger, it all fades away. It’s just her, warm, real and mine—even if she doesn’t know the half of me yet.
I follow her inside, closing the door on the night and all the noise behind us. Tomorrow I’ll deal with Bear, the land deals, the Judge Executive sniffing around. But tonight? I just need her to keep believing in the version of me that she knows—until I figure out how to make the truth hurt less when it finally comes out.
21 OLIVIA
One Month Later
It has been a whirlwind month. We got through Thanksgiving dinner without too much of a hassle. That was probably helped by the fact that no club whores—like Layna—were invited. Ayita was a little weird. She was almost cold. I kept asking her if I’d done something to upset her, but she just said her and Bear were having some issues. I encouraged her to talk to him and work it out. I really want to see Bear and Ayita happy. I love them both.
Blade seems happy. He and Dad both enjoyed the holiday. We’re almost ready for Christmas now, and I’m more than a little nervous about that. More and more it seems that Blade will end up being a member of the Saint’s Outlaws. He hasn’t said that outright, but I can read the writing on the wall. I honestly don’t know what that means for the two of us. I want a relationship with him and I’m willing to work for it. If he wants to be part of the club, I can support that but keep it away from my day-to-day life.
At least that’s what I keep saying to myself.
Tonight, Blade is gone. He said he was meeting with Bear and the others at the clubhouse. I didn’t like it, but I trust him. He promised he had nothing going on with Layna and I believe him. Still, it makes me nervous. Apparently, there are some issues with the zoning permits and Blade had to go tonight—despite the fact that it’s past ten at night. Blade assured me that it was only because Bear and the others couldn’t meet him earlier. I texted Ayi and asked if her and Bear were at the club and she sent back a quick reply that said he was, she was home. That was it. I’m going to have to approach her again and make sure she’s not mad. If she says her and Bear are still having issues, I’m going to have to tell the man to yank his head out of his ass.
I peek into Dad’s room and smile when I find him sleeping. He looks so peaceful. You’d never know the amount of pain he carries around daily. The man—somehow—never lets it get to him. That’s something I admire him greatly for.
I gently pull his door closed and go to my room. I fish around in the dresser for one of Blade’s shirts. Before I get the chance to put it on my phone dings and vibrates. I smile thinking it was Blade to tell me goodnight. We’re hardly ever apart at night anymore. I’m not sure how good I can sleep until he gets home, but a goodnight text will make me feel better.