Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34187 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34187 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
I welcomed his heavy weight. His cock still throbbed inside me, not showing signs of going to sleep any time soon. Sweat coated us both.
With a groan, Xavier shifted so his body was no longer on top of mine. Instead, he wrapped his arms around me and held me close to him, my back to his chest. The occasional jump of his dick made little zings of pleasure flutter through me.
“Holy shit,” he breathed out. “Holy. Shit.” He was as winded as I was. I had to smile.
I couldn’t help the giggle that escaped me as I felt Xavier’s warm breath against my neck.
“What’s so funny?” he murmured, nuzzling against my hair. He didn’t sound put out, merely curious. If I knew Xave, he wanted to share in the merriment. He played as hard as he worked. And I loved playing with my gruff biker.
“Nothing. Just happy.” I sighed contentedly, pressing back against him. “I never thought I’d have this.”
His arms tightened around me. “This?”
“Safety. Happiness.” I twisted in his arms to face him. “Love.”
Xavier’s eyes softened as he traced my cheek with his thumb. “You’ve got all of that and more, baby. Forever.”
We lay there in comfortable silence, our breathing synchronizing as we basked in the afterglow. Eventually, Xavier pressed a kiss to my forehead.
“We should probably get cleaned up. Meeting with Knuckles is in an hour.”
I groaned, reluctant to leave our cocoon. “Do we have to?”
“Afraid so. Man doesn’t like to be kept waiting.” He grinned, dropping a quick kiss on my lips before sliding out of bed. “Come on. We can shower together.”
I grinned. “Sounds perfect.”
Knuckles would just have to get over it, because I had the feeling we were going to be late to that meeting.
Chapter Eleven
Xavier
“Good thing I’m a patient man.” Knuckles lounged behind his desk, one booted foot propped on the edge. “I told you an hour and a half ago the meeting was in an hour. There a good Goddamned reason you kept me here half an hour before you decided to show up?”
I grinned. “Yep.”
Knuckles grunted, nodding at Tillie, who held firmly to my hand as we walked into the other man’s office. “Probably has something to do with that sweet girl you corrupted after you went to prison, so I guess I can’t really fault you.” Knuckles pointed at Tillie. “Family first, honey. He tries to put the club first, you come talk to me. I’ll kick his ass.”
Tillie sniffed before clearing her throat. “I swear to God, Knuckles, if you make me cry I will put hair remover in your beard oil.”
My president sat up straight, a look of horror on his face. “Now, look here, little miss. No messin’ with the beard. That’s a step too far.”
Tillie laughed so hard she was crying, and Knuckles gave me a wary look. “Don’t you let her mess with my beard oil, Xavier. I didn’t make her cry. That’s all on her.”
I chuckled, pulling Tillie closer to my side. “Can’t make any promises, boss. Woman’s got a mind of her own.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Knuckles muttered, but his eyes were warm with affection when he winked at Tillie and grinned. “All right, let’s get down to business. First things first. Your property situation.”
He pulled out a thick manila folder and dropped it on his desk. “Got some good news and some better news. Which you want first?”
Tillie squeezed my hand. “Good news?”
“Menendez cartel won’t be bothering you anymore. Ever.” Knuckles’ expression turned cold and deadly. “Let’s just say they got the message loud and clear that you’re under our protection. And they know we are the muscle for the Miles family.”
I felt Tillie tense beside me, but she didn’t ask for details. Smart woman. Knuckles seemed to be studying her reaction but said nothing.
“And the better news?” I prompted.
Knuckles didn’t take his gaze from Tillie’s. Instead, he started a line of questioning I wasn’t really comfortable with.
“Tillie, do you know the Miles family?”
“Not personally.” Tillie looked extremely uncomfortable, but not like she was going to balk.
“Wouldn’t expect you to know them personally, honey. You know who the Miles family is, though. Right?”
She took a deep breath, then met Knuckles’ gaze with a direct one of her own. “I know they have mafia ties. Other than that, not much. They’ve been in the news some.”
“Yeah. They try to keep a low profile, but it’s hard not to get noticed.” He took a breath and let it out slowly, waiting patiently. I knew he wanted Tillie to ask questions, but she looked like she was at a loss.
“Knuckles. Just say what you need to.” I wasn’t going to let my president make Tillie uncomfortable when there wasn’t a reason. “She’s not gonna faint if you tell her the truth.”
Tillie surprised me by addressing Knuckles. “Look. I don’t have a problem with what you do. If all of you are like Xavier, I know you’re not shaking down mom-and-pop shops for protection money or some shit. That’s not who Xavier is. He wouldn’t stand for anyone else doing it.” Knuckles’ lips twitched but he held his expression blank. “Having said that, I know you’re not always on the right side of the law. And I know you kill when you have to.”