“Demon deserved what he got. An outlaw knows the score.”
“But that doesn’t make me feel better. I don’t… I can’t think that way. I feel horrible about what I did, but there was no choice—I had to do something. I knew I couldn’t call the sheriff’s office because they’re corrupt, but I couldn’t let them kill you.” Her voiced cracked.
Catching her hand in his, he brought it to his lips and kissed it. “I appreciate what you did for me. By you stepping in, you saved my life. And to ease your mind, Raptor said Demon and Rubble survived.” Cursing inaudibly, Tank pivoted in his chair so he faced her. “I’ve missed you a lot. I came in there that night to make sure the BS stopped.”
“I know. You were afraid for me and tried to get me to leave.”
“Cougar was gonna fuck you up. He was mad at me because I beat his ass at the club a few days before.”
“You guys fought then too? Why?”
Tank squeezed her hand. “Because of you. That night I came in to collect the money, I was shocked as shit that it was your restaurant. I volunteered to go along with Cougar because I wanted to get a feel for what the fucker did when he went into the businesses, as well as to see how the owners reacted. I can’t tell you the reason for that because it’s club business, but just know, my intentions were good. The way he looked at you that night made me want to tear him apart limb by limb. And the things he said to you made my blood boil, but I had to keep my cool for club reasons. However, my anger spilled over at the clubhouse, and I ended up kicking his ass.”
“For me,” she whispered.
“Yeah. I’ll always have your back, and it’s good to know you’ll always have mine.” He fixed his gaze on hers, but she quickly looked away. “What’s going on with you?”
“I’m confused.”
His chest tightened. “About what?”
“Us.”
“Talk to me.”
“I’m still upset that you didn’t tell me you were with an outlaw motorcycle club. I mean, that’s a pretty big thing to leave out. It seemed like we were getting close, and then I find out I really didn’t know you at all. I can’t help wondering what else you’re keeping from me.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. “I’m not keeping anything from you. I should’ve told you I was a Jagged Outlaw member, but I didn’t want to scare you away. I was planning to tell you, but I wanted to wait until we were really solid. That shit about you thinking Quinn and I were together put us on shaky ground, and even though we were back on track, I thought it was too soon to tell you about the club.”
“You didn’t trust me.”
“That wasn’t it. It was that you flipped over the Quinn thing without even talking to me about it, so I wasn’t sure how you’d react to me being in the club. Citizens get freaked about MCs. I’m also not as involved with it as I used to be. I’ve been a nomad for a few years now.”
“What does that mean?”
“That I’m not involved in the day-to-day club dealings, and I come and go as I please. If they need me, they can call on me, but I’m not tied to all the stuff the club does.”
“Why did you make that decision?”
“First, my mom got sick, and I wanted to be there for her in a way I couldn’t if I was full- time. Second, I was getting antsy. I’m kind of a loner, and I wanted to ride apart from the club.” He shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s hard to explain.”
“Are you ever going to go back to full-time?”
He saw her apprehension.
“It depends.”
“On what?”
“If there’s an us.” Grabbing her chair, he dragged it closer and drew her in. “I know that for us to work, we’ve got to be open with each other. You didn’t tell me about the restaurant. I’m not sure why, but we have to agree to be honest with each other. I’m gonna tell you right now that if you want to be in a relationship with me, there are times when I have to do some club stuff, and I can’t tell you what it’s about. It’s just the way it is. If you can’t deal with that, then we’re gonna have a problem.” Grimacing as he leaned over, he brushed his lips across hers. “If you want to give this a try, I want it to be exclusive. I haven’t been in a relationship since my ex-wife, so I’m not going to lie and say it’s easy for me. Even after all these years, I still have shit to work through.”
“And I have to work through being terrified that someone I love will be taken from me. I carry that baggage since losing my parents.”
A grin spread across his face. “Someone you love?”
With her hands on his thighs, she leaned forward and kissed him. “I love you,” she whispered. “I was so hurt and angry at you when you came in to collect the money. I couldn’t believe the man I’d been spending all my time with was the same one shaking me down. But then you continued to call me, sent all those sweet texts, the flowers, and you were melting my heart. But when you came to protect and defend me, I knew you truly were the man I knew.”
“It was fuckin’ brutal when I thought I’d lost you, because I can’t imagine you not in my life. I love you, darlin’. I’ve never known any woman like you, and I’m going to be damn careful not to fuck up again. I want our lives to stretch into forever.”
A huge smile danced on her lips, and she giggled. “I never thought I’d find my soulmate.” She gave him a thoughtful look. “But I want us to go slow, which means dating, going on weekend trips, and walks on the beach. Just enjoying being with each other.”
“Anything. I want you by my side. My question to you is, are you going to be able to pull yourself away from working so much?”
“I was a workaholic to fill the hours. I was lonely, so work was my salve, but I’d rather spend my time with you. Of course, I’ll have to work events on the weekends, but I have a great staff, so I’ll learn to delegate. It’s important we take things slow and really get to know each other.”
“Okay. You tell me when you want us to move in together. We’ll go at your pace.” He kissed her deeply when she started to laugh. “I love you, darlin’.”
“And I love you.”
“Listen, I can’t say much, but I want you to know that the protection payment is over.”
“That’s wonderful, because it put me in a real financial crunch. I talked to the California Attorney General’s Office, and they’re opening up a criminal investigation. And don’t worry, I’m not breathing a word about your club’s involvement. The last thing I want is for you to get into trouble, although I’d love to see Cougar in handcuffs.”
“You won’t have to worry about that fucker ever again.”
“Why?” Her hand flew to her mouth. “I forgot—club business. The one I really hope gets locked up is that damn sheriff.”
“He’s a damn pussy. He wouldn’t last one fuckin’ day in the slammer.”
“And, don’t worry, I’m not breathing a word about your club’s involvement. The last thing I want is for you to get into trouble.”