Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
I looked up at him. “I can’t keep up with your moods or figure out what you’re really feeling.”
He winked at me. “Have to keep you on your toes, darlin’.”
That wink was followed by a panty-melting grin. Like this, Wylde was positively irresistible. That breakaway lock on his forehead covered one eye and seemed to taunt me, wanting me to brush it aside. The man’s charisma was off the fucking charts. This wasn’t something new to me. I’d known it since the first time I’d met him in the coffee shop. That roguish look was hot enough to scorch. With him sitting so close to me, his arm securely around me, the heat from his body seeped into me and filled me with… him. Looking up into his eyes now only made me long for something I knew I could never have.
My breath caught, and I had to look away. I lowered my head while the conversation around us continued.
“Good. So that problem’s taken care of for now.”
“Yep.” Again, Wylde popped a bubble.
“And tomorrow?” Sting raised an eyebrow as he glanced over to Deacon, who’d been silent through the whole exchange.
“I’ll take all the kids to school. Including Apple and Lemon.”
“No fuckin’ way,” Wylde snarled. Instantly he was up, pacing the length of his office. “You said you’d stay away from Apple, Deacon. That’s decidedly not staying away from her.”
“I’ve given Sting my word to keep it professional, Wylde. I want the right to watch over Apple like she was my own.”
“She’s not yours to protect.”
Deacon leveled him a look. “She will be.”
“Boys, rein it in.” Iris sounded every bit like she was in control of the situation. I envied the confidence she showed. There might be only two of them -- not counting her husband -- but Iris took charge like it was nothing. She fully expected everyone to listen to her.
“You’re arguing with each other when neither one of you will make this decision.” Iris met my gaze with a kind one of her own. “Deacon’s requested this, but you don’t have to agree to it.”
“And have Apple hate me?” I sighed. “Honestly, I’m not naive enough to think that, just because I tell her not to do something, even if it’s for her own good, that she won’t find a way to do it.” I looked at Deacon. “So, I’m going to trust you.” I glanced over at Sting. “You’re his president.”
“I am.”
“You know everything that happened?”
“That Deacon and Apple have been talking for a few weeks and that she’s sixteen? Yes. I also know you had no knowledge of the budding relationship.”
“I know that technically, in Indiana she’s of legal age.” My gaze shifted back to Deacon. “But I’d prefer it if you waited to explore anything with her until she turns eighteen. Especially since you’re a lot older than she is.”
The man nodded at me respectfully. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, ma’am. I’m ten years older and, though she’s mature for her age, my life experiences far surpass hers. I’ll protect her with my life and watch over her and her sister, but I’ve got to cement my place in Iron Tzars and have a way to provide for her that you’ll approve of.”
That startled me. “What?”
He shrugged. “This is an MC. You have to know there are some things we do that you wouldn’t like.”
“I suppose. Hadn’t really thought about it. Perhaps I should.”
Sting smiled. “Deacon is a good man, Danica. He wouldn’t be a prospect with us if he wasn’t. Once he becomes a fully patched member, he and I will sit down and talk about this future. If that future includes Apple, she’ll be included too.”
“I don’t understand. Sounds way more serious than I’m ready for.” I gave a nervous chuckle, trying to lighten the mood when I was getting a little spooked.
“Our club skirts the law on occasion, but we have legitimate businesses as well. If Apple decides she wants to let Deacon take her on, there will be things to discuss. We fully expect mates to talk to each other and take that into account.” Sting gave his wife a squeeze and dropped a kiss on her cheek. “But that’s a couple years or more away. Deacon requested to be the one to take them to and from school, along with the other kids. I wanted you comfortable with the arrangement.”
“And if I’m not?”
“Then Clutch will continue to do it.”
I looked from Deacon to Sting, then finally settled on Iris. Maybe it was because she was a woman and close to my own age, but I trusted her more than I trusted just about anyone here. Except maybe for Wylde.
“If my sister were in Apple’s position, I’d trust Deacon with her life, Dani. He’s a man of his word. All the men here are. If they’re not, they don’t get into Iron Tzars.”