“The cops might come asking questions, Soleil. You’re not just my wife. You’re part of this club. We don’t talk to law enforcement. If Czar wants them to know something, he’ll tell them. We try not to lie if we can help it, but we don’t ever give one another up. You have to understand, that’s a sacred rule. It’s part of our code. We never give one another up, no matter the cost. That’s what got us out. We did it by sticking together. If one was going down, we all were.”
She nodded. “I understand. I’ve never had a family, Ice. I never had anyone standing for me. I’ve never been a part of anything. Or anyone. I see the value of your club and the loyalty to one another. Why you’re such a strong family. It’s something I’ve always longed for. All of you have had one another for years. I’m just seeing the care you give one another. Blythe, Anya and Breezy were wonderful to me. Being treated like family is something I treasure, and I don’t take it for granted. Believe me, I want to be part of that. But mostly, I want to be with you, and I want to be someone you can be proud of.”
He could breathe again. The air moved through his lungs, in and out. His heart slowed to a normal pace. He tightened his hand around hers. “Savage and Absinthe stood for you today, Soleil, and if you knew Savage the way I do, you’d know that’s huge. He stays apart from everyone else. He’s quiet, rarely speaks. But he’s always there for the rest of us.”
“Why is he always a little apart, Ice? I’ve noticed the way he is.”
Ice shrugged. “The things we endured in that place shaped us. There’s no getting away from it, no matter how hard we try.” He looked at her. “You quiet the demons for me. When I told you I didn’t have natural erections before you, I didn’t. One look at you in that little sundress, standing across the street, with your tits and that ass, I thought I was going to embarrass myself right there on the street.” He couldn’t keep the awe out of his voice. “I know I can’t keep my hands off you, and that has to get old for you, but seriously, baby, it feels like the first time every time we’re together. Sometimes it’s so fuckin’ good I think my head is going to explode.”
Her laughter surprised him. “Well, don’t let that happen. I like sex with you. Actually, I love it, but an exploded head might put a damper on our sex life.” Her fingers twisted so she could hold on to his hand. “Baby, let’s go downstairs. I want to show you something.”
“Got a couple more things to discuss, and they’re important.”
He had his phone in his hand and was texting Czar, sending him a thumbs-up. If their phones were ever checked, there was nothing to connect them to the crime that had been committed miles from where they lived. He sent out a call to Absinthe and Code. He needed them to come as soon as possible.
Ice wanted whatever papers were needed filed on Soleil’s behalf. The moment they did, no doubt Winston’s lawyer would insist on a well checkup and they would try to get a hearing in front of whichever judge owed them favors or was part of the con artist ring. They had to have someone on their payroll.
“We can talk downstairs,” she insisted and stood up.
He kept possession of her hand, even when she tried to pull away from him. Soleil only tried once, and then she sent him a quick grin, shaking her head. The stairs were wide enough for the two of them to walk down the sweeping staircase to the first floor together. She went through the dining room to the kitchen, and right on past the refrigerator to the door there. She opened it and stepped back. The pantry was fairly empty, just rice and potatoes as well as flour jumping out at him.
Soleil closed the door and went to the fridge. Inside, fresh vegetables were overflowing, along with a couple of cuts of meat, different types of berries and melons as well as other food items, all fresh. She closed that door and pointed to the counter where more fruit was in a bowl.
Leaning one hip against the center aisle, she looked at him. “What does that tell you, Ice?”
He knew his face had to look as blank as he felt.
“You aren’t paying attention. You think I have one foot out the door, that I’m not fully committed to you or to your family. I told you I didn’t cook. Where do you think the groceries came from, and how do you think I got them?”
He frowned. This was obviously a trick question, one women conjured up just to make men crazy. “Sorry, babe. Not following.”
“I’ve been taking cooking lessons from Alena. What did you think I was doing with her when you were doing whatever mysterious thing you do that I’m not supposed to know about?”
Like tracking down the pedophile ring in San Francisco. Or the ring of con artists. No, he wasn’t about to talk to her about that or what they planned to do to them all.
“I don’t know, princess. Talking? Women like talking together.”
She rolled her eyes. “And the meals that have been improving? Did you think they were just getting that way with luck?”
Definitely a trick question. “I didn’t really think about it.”
“I spent several hours at least three times a week on cooking lessons, honey. For you. For us. For our life together. I want to make a home for you. I’ve been doing that. Today scared me, but not for the reasons you think. I’m a processor. I needed time to run through everything that happened. When I do, I’m used to pacing. It helps. I’m really used to being alone when I do. You have to remember, you’re the only person in my life I’ve ever spent this much time with. The point I’m making is, I have no intentions of leaving you. You have to learn to trust in that, just as much as I have to learn to trust in you.”
The relief was tremendous. He rubbed his chest again, right over his heart. “I’m going to piss you off, baby. More than once or twice.”
“I’m well aware.”
She sounded so droll he couldn’t help but laugh. Love swamped him. He put his arms around her and pulled her tight against him, nuzzling her neck. “We’re going on a run. Have I explained what that is?”
She shook her head. “You haven’t exactly explained, but I’ve seen bikes riding together.”
“This one will be particularly large. Several clubs will be riding. It’s a charity drive the Diamondbacks put on every year. We’ll be riding behind them. You have to wear the jacket I give you with our colors. You never go anywhere without us. You stick close to me at all times. We’ll have fun, so don’t look alarmed, but you have to follow the rules I lay down.”
She nodded. “Of course, Ice.”
“You have to remember, our entire club will defend you. We’re very good at what we do. If we have to defend you against a Diamondback, that will bring their entire club down on us. That’s the way it works, even if their member is at fault. We’ll be running for the rest of our lives if that happens.”