Shelby’s head in lying on my chest, her hair fanned out as I run my fingers through it. I love the silky auburn locks. They remind me of flames dancing in a bonfire.
“Things between you and T looked better yesterday,” she says, breaking through my thoughts.
I sigh. I guess that’s my sign. I was hoping our lovemaking would have bought me a little more time. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that...”
“I’ve been waiting to hear it,” Shelby murmurs. She twists her body, settling in the crook of my arm her hand on my chest like a branding iron—the heat seeping into my body and permanently changing me. I give her a squeeze.
“We’ve been having some problems at the club.”
“Are you in danger?”
I sigh, not sure how to answer that. “There are things going on that aren’t exactly safe,” I hedge.
“Has…has something happened?” she asks, carefully.
“They shot up Ford’s house and went after him at the club. That’s how T was shot, he was protecting Ford.”
“Shit,” she curses. Her body is rigid next to mine. I need to hurry and get this done so that I can remind her how good things are between us.
“Right now, we’re in the dark. We’re not sure who is behind it. We thought it was just a rival club. Now, we’re not so sure. We investigated and discovered there was a fuck of a lot of money changing hands. It’s laundered through a dummy corporation so we’re having trouble tracing it all.”
“What’s your next step, then?”
“We’ve been working on slipping someone inside the enemy lines. That way maybe we can figure out what is going on and take down the real enemy.”
The silence stretches between us as she processes what I just said. When it finally clicks, her breath hitches. “Please, King, tell me you aren’t that person.”
“I can’t say that, beautiful,” I admit.
“Damn it, King!” Shelby glares at me, her green eyes burning into me.
“Honey, I know it’s a bad time to start something with you, but I wanted you from the first moment I laid eyes on you. I’m not going to let you slip through my fingers because of this bullshit. I need you to know I’m taking precautions though. If this all goes south, you don’t have to worry. The club knows you are mine. They will be there to protect you and your grandmother. I won’t have you getting caught in the crossfire.”
She slaps my stomach softly. “I’m not worried about myself right now. I’m worried about you getting killed. Why does it have to be you? Why can’t it be someone else?” Worry is etched on her face, and I hate that I’m the cause.
“Honey, the ones that know what’s going on all have old ladies and kids. Hell, Ford even has a grandkid. Then there’s me. I don’t have anyone. I was the logical choice.”
“It’s not logical. You have me, King. Don’t you realize that if something happens to you it would kill me?”
“Are you admitting you care about me, Shelby?”
“With my history, do you think I could be around you and all those men today if I didn’t? Especially with as intimidating at your club is. Do you think I could be with you?” she asks, staring up at me.
“Well, I knew it, but I needed to make sure you did,” I tell her, smiling.
“You’re a jerk.”
“Yeah, but I’m your jerk, baby,” I tell her as I roll us over until I’m hovering over her, claiming her mouth. I run my hand down her soft body, teasing her lips apart with my tongue as my hand slides down between her legs. I groan when I find that she’s already wet for me.
She’s perfect.
Chapter24
King
Itake a small pull from my beer and set it back down on the table. I’ve barely touched it. I’m sitting at a bar on the state line, just like I have for the last two days. I’m being loud about being unhappy and I’m hoping this works. The longer this goes on, the more fucking pissed I get.
I’ve purposely stayed away from Shelby since. I’m not sure I can much longer. Phone sex is not satisfying enough—especially now that I’ve had a taste of her.