Chapter 31
thirty-one
DARCY
A plume of vapor follows me out of the bathroom as I wrap the towel around my body. I spent forever in the shower, using coconut-scented body scrub before shaving everything.
My body stills with the ring of the doorbell. I inwardly wince as I start to move faster. If Presh is already here, I’ve taken far too long to get ready. After tossing off the towel, I hurry into the connected bedroom to throw on panties and a bra. On the dresser, a package I didn’t notice before sits by itself, wrapped in tissue paper. I reach for the note labeled with my name with shaky fingers. “Some ideas since you’re already planning. Love, Dane.”
My heart starts beating quickly in my chest with the last two words as I unwrap the protective packaging to find an all white bouquet of gardenias, roses, and hydrangeas.
Wedding flowers.
I smile at his teasing, leaning in to smell the powerful fragrance, the gardenia’s scent overpowering the roses.
I’ve never gotten flowers before, as small of a token as it is. Josiah and I never got to the official courting phase, even though he was given all of the financial information I was denied.
This is why Dane gets away with so freaking much. The sweet side of him. When you know the hard side, it means even more.
Cracking open the door to see if I’m needed, I hear Solomon’s rumbling voice talking to Owen, then everyone laughs.
Owen’s always the center of attention when he’s in the room, and everyone complains that it’s been too long since they’ve had a baby around. I love seeing my son so adored. Content they’ve got it handled, for now, I rush over to the closet and pull out the leather pants.
I feel self conscious over my postpartum body as I slip them over the stretched skin still left on my abdomen. Jeans would probably be just as protective, Dane’s excuse for the extravagant purchase, but I think he wants me to dress for him.
Not that I object. I like the idea of looking pretty for my man. I put hoops in my ears and put on the chunky black boots, still mentally debating on the top.
I’m searching through the rack of clothes, trying to pick the right one when Dane comes up from behind me cupping my breasts.
He looks amazing, beard freshly trimmed, golden hair loose around his face. He’s dressed up, for him anyway, in nicer boots and jeans, and a black tee. Gentle lips kiss my bare shoulder. “They’re here to pick up Owen.”
“Make sure they bring all the bags by the door, oh, and they get the milk out of the fridge.”
“Already on it,” he quips, letting go of me. “I need to bring you with me to take care of some things at the casino, but then we can head to dinner.”
“The casino,” I say a little excitedly. I’d always thought Dane would keep me away from anything like that.
“Just for a quick pop-in.”
Now I really don’t know what to wear. There isn’t exactly a dress code for an underground casino. I hold up two shirts in front of him. “Which one?”
He reaches over and pulls out a black tank I hadn’t considered. “This one.”
I raise a surprised eyebrow. Not just that he’s familiar with the clothing I bought at Leather and Lace, but that he chose this particular one. The slinky top is clingy, the fabric thin and low-cut. I shoot him a surprised expression, and he explains, “It’s different when I’m with you. I’ll have to leave you for a bit at the casino, but everybody there knows you’re mine.”
He’s waiting after I throw on the black tank, approval in his eyes as he scans me up and down. “Turn around.” Once my back is to his front, I hear him take something out of his coat as he brushes my braid away from my neck. Something heavy and cold rests against my cleavage as he places another kiss on my shoulder.
Looking down, I find the interwoven triangles of Odin’s knot dangling from a silver medallion resting against my chest.
“Figure if other men are going to see those beautiful breasts of yours, they should know who they belong to.”
“Well, isn’t that sweet,” I lightly snark, loving every bit of it.
I stifle a chuckle. I can wear whatever I want, but he’s going to remind men who it is they’re daring to look at. Typical Dane.
I give myself one last look in the mirror, the once lost girl replaced by a more confident woman. I’ve lined my eyes for a night out and put on a red glossy lipstick that’s a little daring. Knowing I’m going to be on his bike, I’ve braided my hair back, letting soft tendrils fall around my face.
It’s not just my appearance that’s changed. My anxiety is becoming a visitor instead of my constant companion, and I’m happier. I don’t feel like I’m just trying to make it through the day, but living.
As I walk into the den, everything’s put together for Owen to leave. I’m a little impressed. Dane remembered everything from the right blanket to his bottles to just enough pumped milk, even the white noise machine. The goodbye kiss I leave on Owen’s cheek earns me a baby scowl. Solomon and Presh don’t linger, saying they want us to have our alone time.
When the door clicks closed, I nervously fiddle with my earring, and clear my throat. “Umm, I was wondering about the men who showed up at the Williams’ house. I wasn’t sure if you were allowed to tell me anything or….”
Dane’s body freezes for the briefest of seconds before he goes back to filling his pockets with his wallet and keys. “A lot of this falls under club business,” Dane warns, giving me a pointed look. “But I’ve already taken care of everything.”
“I can’t believe they tracked Seth down to Parran. What if Owen and I still lived in that house?”
His jaw tightens, then ticks. “You’re both safe. I’d stop at nothing to make sure of it.”
Do I want more details? Yes, and no. The thing is, even though I can’t help but reflect on what might have been, as this man lays his hands on the small of my back, I know Owen and I are safer than we could ever be.