Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
“Good.” I dropped some bills on the table and reached for Talia’s hand. “Let’s collect Linnie and go home. We’ve got a lot to get settled.”
She took my hand. Hers trembled and sweated, but I found it only endeared her to me more. She was sweetly innocent. While I was glad of it, I was also very aware how much was on my shoulders. How willing she was to commit to this depended on how I guided her through being my ol’ lady, and how much pleasure I gave her during sex. Because sex was going to be a big part of getting to know each other.
“Don’t be scared,” I said, leaning down so that my breath feathered over her temple. “I swear I won’t hurt you or do anything you don’t ask me to. If you’ll give me a chance, though, I’ll make you glad you gave us a chance.”
She nodded but still didn’t look comfortable. She didn’t look frightened, just nervous.
Marge got Linnie from the kitchen. My daughter’s gaze immediately zeroed in on our joined hands. Talia must have noticed it too, because she tried to twist free. I laced our fingers and tightened my grip. Caroline beamed as moved past us to the door. As she exited the diner, she looked back and smiled at us. Then she went to the truck to wait.
“And I thought things were awkward before.” Lia sighed as she shook her head. “This was a bad idea.”
“Nope. You don’t get to take it back until after we’ve talked.” I tugged her out the door with me, then led her to the passenger side of the truck. Opening the door, I winked at her. She climbed in and shut the door. I’d left the windows down so with the overcast sky the interior wasn’t unreasonably hot.
Once inside, I started the engine and took off. The Bane compound wasn’t far from Tito’s, and I didn’t waste time getting there. The more I thought about this the more I wanted it. Looking at the woman sitting next to me gave me a rush. It wasn’t her sexual attraction. She was definitely a woman any man would love to have in his bed. It was everything else. She hadn’t given me any indication she was interested. She’d blushed, and I could see interest in her eyes when she’d first seen me shirtless on the beach, but that was it. Still, I figured I could get her there. I had to be patient. First of all, though, she was going to be comfortable and feel safe. Not like some dirty old man was going to pounce on her any minute.
We pulled through the gate to the Salvation’s Bane property. I drove slowly down the paved drive until the road opened up into a parking lot of the converted firehouse we used as our main meeting area.
“I’m going to find Sonya and see if she wants to go swimming. I’ll probably stay with her tonight, so don’t wait up. Love you guys! Bye!” She waved before hurrying around back where the families usually entered. Kept everyone away from the club girls. And kept the peace.
“Well, I guess that answers that.” Talia glanced over at me. “I guess I shouldn’t have worried about her not liking us being together.”
“Come on. We’ll need to stop by Thorn’s office first. Let him know what’s going on so he and Havoc can have time to discuss it.”
“Do I have to be there?”
I thought for a moment. “No. Not necessarily. Though they will both want to talk to you soon. Make sure you’re here of your own free will and that you understand everything your dad proposed and what will be expected of you. They’d never agree to something like this if you weren’t on board.”
“I suppose there’s no sense being embarrassed. I’m sure this happens all the time.”
“Does in some places. Not much here, though it’s not unheard of.”
“Let’s get it over with. I hate being uncomfortable.” There was a little bite to her voice. Like there was something fierce inside her that wanted free but was a little shy. In the end, she stuck her chin up and clenched her jaw.
“That’s my girl,” I praised. I snagged her hand. “Come on. This won’t take long.
Chapter Four
Talia
“Let me get this straight.” Thorn, the president of Salvation’s Bane, pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and finger. “The president of Grim Road is giving you his daughter in exchange for us being allies? So he’s wanting an agreement to… what?”
“I’ll let the two of you hammer out the fine details. All I’m interested in is my part in it. Talia. I’m sure he’s wanting to be able to see and/or contact his daughter at will, so there’s that. You know him better’n me, but he seems like a good guy.”