“It didn’t come up and I figured if you were there to give me away, you would be able to help me along the way. Don’t you think?” She didn’t know what other options she had, only that these were the ones open to her.
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” he asked.
“Yes, I don’t see any other reason why I’m married to one man but falling for another. It’s time to end things and to move on as best as I can.”
“You’re falling for him?” Bear asked.
“I … I … is it too soon?”
“I know you and Preacher were close before you were taken. I mean, obviously I never saw you both kissing or doing anything like that, but when I did see you together as friends, it worked, for the both of you.”
“Do you think I was in love with him?” she asked.
“You had feelings for him, deep feelings. It must have been to piss off Bishop.”
“Does he hate being in Preacher’s shadow?”
Bear sighed. “Sweetheart, believe it or not, you’d be the best person to know that information. You and Bishop were always tight.”
“Do you think I can do this, though? Get my marriage annulled? I don’t know if Bishop and I were ever together. It doesn’t feel like we ever were, but again, I really don’t know the answer to that. I’m babbling.”
Bear rubbed the back of his head, turned away with a wince. “I know Bishop was with a lot of other women even when you were together. I guess you can end the marriage and if that doesn’t work, divorce his cheating ass.”
She smiled. “Has there been any sign of him?”
“No. He’s not exactly welcome right now at the club.”
“Why?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Club stuff?”
“You got it.”
“So, let’s talk about something else. How about you? Have you met anyone yet?”
“You want to know if I’m dating someone? Me? At my age?”
“You’re the same age as Preacher. Why not? Love doesn’t stop.”
“Honey, I don’t believe in love.”
“You never felt anything for my mom?”
“Nothing. Not even a shred of happiness with her.” He shrugged. “Again, let’s move on from this as well.”
“We keep bouncing around topics.”
“It’s easier this way.”
She didn’t know what else to say. It wasn’t an awkward silence, but they didn’t talk about anything important. They settled on easy conversation about their days and their plans. Nothing too taxing on the mind.
Chapter Ten
Her time with Reaper
“I can’t believe you made me do that,” Robin said. The pain in her back radiated, making the burn even more intense.
She lifted her shirt to try to keep it away from the tattoo on the base of her back. The ones around her wrists were as equally painful, but she didn’t want to look at them. This one on her back was a brand, an ownership.
Reaper had taken all the decisions away from her. Being held down, it made her feel sick.
“It’s going to look good. Trick is fucking hot and believe me, you’re going to thank me one day.” He put his hands on her hips.
She shook her head. “There’s no way I’m going to thank you for this.” She tried to pull out of his arms but he was determined to hold on to her. “Let me go.”
“Not yet. I don’t like you being pissed at me.”
“Then maybe you shouldn’t hold a woman down and permanently mark her body. That would be a good start in not getting me pissed off.” She wanted some space. “I need some time alone.” She pulled out of his arms and left the hotel room. This one had a pool and rather than go outside, she went to the pool. There was possibly a chance of her sneaking away, but right now, with the ink across the base of her back, she didn’t want Preacher to see her like this.
When she got to the indoor pool, there were only a few people swimming around. Two sets of adults were making out, and another couple was swimming. She took her shoes off, sitting at the edge of the pool, staring into the bright depths below.
The pain was still there and she felt the tears close to the surface. All she wanted to do was cry, but instead, she held her tears in and just stared ahead.
Within minutes, several of Reaper’s men entered the pool room and moved all the people out.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
Reaper entered the room and his men left.
She was alone with him. He removed his shirt.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to go for a swim.”
She watched as he removed his boots, followed by his jeans, before he dived into the pool. He was all heavily inked muscles and strength.
Reaper came right toward her and she stayed perfectly still. He wrapped his fingers around her ankle, pressing a kiss to her flesh.