Chapter 28 #3
I reach over the table, grab her hand, and twist her wrist to the point of it being painful, but without actually hurting her.
“You think I’m some kind of idiot? You think I want that fuckin’ bitch after the tricks she pulled?
And Ace? I know where he stands. Do you really think I’d subject him to her ever again? ”
She draws in a shuddering breath. “Don’t you think it’s a risk letting her leave? She knows too much. She saw you kill her brother and that…” She clicks her fingers as she remembers, “Oscar. And fuck knows what Candyman told her about this club. It could be enough to get the law overly interested.”
“She’s gone,” I repeat. “She’ll be no threat to the club. Leave it at that.”
“But how sure are you?”
I’m not sure at all, and that’s the problem. And this is Trix I’m talking to. She might just be a club girl, and admits to lacking an education, but I’ve rarely come across a woman who’s as smart as her.
“I bribed her that if she gave me her contact details, then when Ace turns eighteen, I’ll let him make the choice whether he makes contact or not.” I look down at my hands for a moment, not wanting to see if she’s thinking me a fool for not eradicating the risk totally.
When she remains silent, I finally raise my eyes, seeing her biting her lip and looking thoughtful. Suddenly her frown disappears.
“Smart.” She slowly nods her head in agreement.
“She won’t be able to resist taking that chance.
You’ll know where she is and can get the local Kings looking in.
And she has enough hope not to make waves.
And then when the time comes and Ace doesn’t make contact, he’ll be eighteen, an adult, and there goes the hold she has over either you or him.
” Her lips purse together. “I hate her for what she tried to do, and I can’t understand why she thinks blood family is better than that we find and choose for ourselves.
But she didn’t deserve to die. Hopefully she’ll make the best of this second chance you’ve given her. You did right, Freak.”
I feel I’m glowing like a schoolboy having received praise from a teacher.
And a warmth inside that this woman in front of me, understands.
And that comment about blood family? Her parents had married her far too young to an abusive man and did nothing to save her. No wonder she prefers her found family.
I suddenly realise that unconsciously, I’ve loosened my grip on her wrist, have turned her hand over, and my finger is now lightly tracing her palm.
After a brief pause, she slowly nods her head. Then she reaches out her free hand and cups my face. “Were you supposed to take her out? Is that why you were unsettled when you came in?”
I huff a mirthless laugh. “Would you think any the less of me if I said yes?”
“I’d think you did the only thing you could do, though the club might differ in their view.
You did what you could to mitigate the risk.
If you hadn’t left her breathing, you’d have had to keep that from Ace.
He might not want anything to do with her, but he’s got a good heart.
I think he’d be upset if he one day learned she was dead. ”
And by my hand. How could I ever have admitted I’d not only killed his mother but also his aunt? And however much I’d have tried to keep that information secret, secrets have a terrible way of coming out, just when you don’t expect them to.
Trixie hasn’t finished. “I know it’s the last thing either of you want now, but in time, two years, five, maybe even ten, Ace might want to make contact, and you’ve left the door open, so he’s got that chance.
However unlikely it seems that he’d want to take it.
” She raises her eyes to me. “You’re a good dad, Freak. ”
Christ, how have I missed all the years I’ve known her that she’s not only intelligent but perceptive. And caring, looking out for my son, able to look into the future, and understand what he might then need or want.
I’d fallen for Toni for little more than her looks and her body, and while I thought I was starting to have deep feelings for the person underneath, she’d proved she was entirely different to the person she’d allowed me to see. She’d kept the dark side of herself hidden.
Not Trixie, she’s the perfect fucking woman.
She’s everything that Toni was not. Memories of that one night we had together suddenly filter into my head.
Stupid to admit it had been so good I’d been afraid to repeat it.
Is it so wrong that looking at her now, at this precise moment I can think of nothing better than taking her to my bed, and maybe not let her out of it, or at least until we’re both sated?
I don’t want more than a physical release, I can’t fall for another woman, not so fast after I’ve been burned so badly.
Nah, I’ll fuck her and the world will come back on kilter.
And she wouldn’t object, she’s a club whore. I can’t have thoughts of making her my old lady, but perhaps… a roll in the hay would improve this bastard of a day. I can make it good for her, maybe make her forget her own name. I owe her a debt. Maybe this is one way to repay it.