Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 46143 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46143 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
“You realize if I come down to Dreary, that will be like we’re going public with this thing between us, Caleb.”
“So?” I huff.
“So, if we do that, my family is going to know, Candy-boy.”
“Bring it,” I answer confidently.
“Do you think you’re strong enough to withstand the shit my father and Skull, not to mention BB, will send your way?”
I laugh. “Gorgeous, if it means I end up having you by my side, I don’t care what the fuck I have to do.”
“Yeah, right,” she chuckles.
“Woman, I’m completely serious. You’re all I want.”
There’s silence for a moment, and I’m scared I pushed her too far again. Christ, I need to find a way to tie her to me. I’m tired of feeling like she’s going to run away from me at any moment.
“I’ll come down Saturday. I’ve already managed to get off work.”
“That seems way too fucking far into the future,” I grouse, making her giggle.
“Stop,” she laughs. “It’s as soon as I can make it happen. My performance evaluation is this Friday. I can’t leave until that’s done. I need to see what my score is and meet with Blake. He’s my attending physician that I work and train under.”
“I’ll try to hold on to my sanity until Saturday then,” I sigh out, and I know she thinks I’m joking, but I’m really not.
“You’re nuts.”
“Isolde, I’m just telling you the truth. You don’t know how much I miss you or how badly I need to see you—touch you. I want to kiss every inch of you.”
“Damn it, Caleb.”
“I need you, baby.”
“We have to stop this conversation right here,” she insists.
“Why?” I whine, knowing I sound like a little kid being denied his favorite candy—and not giving one shit.
“Because I can’t be late for my shift, and if you keep me on the phone, I won’t be able to drag myself in and make a good impression tomorrow.”
“Fine, but when you get here Saturday, you will owe me,” I mutter.
“I promise.”
“Yeah,” I exhale, needing her so much it hurts.
“Something to know about me, Candy-boy. I always keep my promises, and I promise to rock your world when I get down there.”
“I’m counting on it, Isolde. You better be prepared because when I get you here, I’m not going to let up until you admit you love me and we’re meant to be together.”
“That might not be such a huge leap for me right now, Caleb. You’ve already accomplished the impossible,” she confesses.
I grow quiet before finally asking very softly, “What’s that?”
“You’ve already made me feel heard and valued, Caleb. I find myself trusting you completely. I’m also doing that in a way I’ve never been able to before.”
“That’s because you are valued and loved, Isolde. You’re all I’ve ever wanted. I knew it from the beginning. You’re safe with me.”
“Caleb.”
“Shh…,” I gently shush her. “I didn’t tell you that you were loved to hear you reciprocate it out of duty. It wasn’t to put pressure on you. I just wanted you to know. I’m not going anywhere, baby. I love you and I’m not putting pressure on you. I don’t want the words back until you’re ready to give them to me freely.”
I hear her release a shaky breath. “You’re being awfully romantic and understanding for a badass biker who makes the world believe he has a chip on his shoulder,” she jokes.
I give a half-hearted laugh. “I don’t give a shit. You’re my old lady.”
“I’ll see you on Saturday, Candy-boy.”
“I can’t wait, baby. Call me when you get a chance.”
“That’s okay. I know you’re meeting with another club. I don’t want to bother you—”
“Baby, you forgot the part where I said you were mine. You are never a bother. Call me anytime, okay? You will always come first.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I definitely am,” I answer at once.
“Okay, I’ll call. Goodnight, Caleb.”
“Goodnight, baby.”
She ends the call, and I just stare into space with a goofy smile on my face. She hasn’t said it out loud yet, but Izzy loves me. Finally, it feels like she may be tired of running away from me. Just the thought makes me breathe easier. I’m getting to her, and now that I know I am, I will do whatever I have to do, I want to make sure she knows she’s safe. She’s told me in some of our late-night conversations about the crap that her mother put up with. I won’t allow anything to touch her. I’m going to make sure she knows she will always be my number one priority.
Always.
19
A TRUE FAMILY AFFAIR
SAVAGE
It’s Friday morning and I have a hangover. The last thing I want to do is deal with this shit. I love being part of the Kings of Anarchy, but if you were to ask me what my version of hell would be, it would be having my club be allies with the RDMC. The Rapid Dogs is a club in Arkansas. My history with them sucks, but my president, Grifter, doesn’t have a clue about that. C wanted me to tell him, but I refused. Honestly, our club needs all the allies we can get. I hate RDMC’s president—Rogue. He’s an asshole who seriously needs to die. My reasons are personal. Before Rogue claimed his old lady, she was mine. Mara is the only woman I’ve ever loved. She threw me aside to be a president’s old lady. It gutted me—leaving holes I’m not sure will ever fully heal.