“I have blood on my hands.” He held out his palms. “There is no denying it, Tammy.”
“But you wouldn’t hurt me.”
“Never.” His tone was steely. “Never in a million years, or Zak, no matter what. You’re special to me. All I want is to protect you both, see you happy.”
She smiled. They were words Gary had never said, in fact, his actions had always proven the opposite. “I know that.” She paused and stroked her neck. “So, Hudson, he’s … he has three crosses here.”
“He has. And now you know what they mean.”
Her uncle had killed three people. It was a shocking revelation, or was it? He’d never played by the rules, somethingher father had always hated him for. He’d been a biker since his teens and now was the “boss” of a group of bikers who all seemed to live their lives on the wrong side of the law. “He only killed people who deserved it, right?”
“Sure thing, and they were going to take him out if he didn’t do it first.”
She nodded, slowly.
“Some people hate us, some call us vigilantes, some want to be like us,” Jayden said. “But really, we’re just surviving, doing our thing, and we want to be left alone to do that. But if assholes are gonna get in the way, we’re gonna do the right thing, the right thing the way we see it.”
“I understand that, I think.”
Suddenly, he smiled, moved to her side, and took her hand. “We love and stand by each other, fiercely. We’re one big family complete with squabbles like you saw with Taff. Anyone who crosses the Barbarians, or any other MC member who doesn’t deserve it, we’re on their side.” He stroked her cheek. “You’re part of it now, but only for as long as you want to be. No one will stop you from walking away.”
“Do you want me to walk away?” Was that what he was saying? Did he think she wasn’t cut out for the lifestyle?
“Hell no.” He cupped the nape of her neck and drew her closer. “I just never want you to feel trapped the way you did before.”
“I don’t. I feel like I’m exactly where I want to be.”
“Right answer.” He pulled her closer, pressing his coffee-tinged lips to hers.
“What I really want is to take you back to bed,” he murmured, “but I need food first.” He pulled back and stood. “Let’s go get something to eat, then I’m gonna have you gasping my name again at least twice before the school pick-up.”
Chapter Fourteen
By the time they arrived back from the diner, it was almost time to collect Zak from school. They’d gotten carried away talking about everything and nothing, learning about each other.
“Tonight,” Tammy said, looking at the clock and having to push aside a twinge of disappointment that they hadn’t kept check of the last few hours. She’d been looking forward to gasping his name again.
“What about tonight?” Jayden said, curling his arm around her waist.
“Will you sleep in my bed, with me?” She set her hands over his cut, which had been warmed by the sun on their ride back to The Strand.
“You sure?”
“More than sure.” She reached up and kissed him.
“Then I won’t argue.” He raised his right eyebrow. “But why wait? We’ve probably just about got time now to—”
His cell rang.
Frowning, he released her and dug into his cut pocket. “Hey, Wyatt. What’s up?” He released her and stepped away. “Sure, yeah. I get that. I know, and not a problem.”
Tammy left him to it and busied herself making a chicken salad sandwich for Zak to have as a snack when he came home. These days he was too hungry to wait until dinner. That pleased her. He was becoming more solid. The few extra pounds suited him, and she was sure he’d grown half an inch since they’d arrived in California.
By the time Jayden had come off the phone, she was heading out of the door.
“Damn, I missed an opportunity there,” he said, following her.
She slipped her hand into his. “Patience is a virtue.”