Chapter 6 Penny #2
"Our president isn't a fan of letting outsiders in, so I don't think you have to worry about that.
There's a reason those Outlaw Sinners haven't stepped in our territory.
If any of them test his patience..." His eyes drift toward Leliah before settling back on me.
"You don't have to worry about any trouble coming here.
Stick in our section of town, and you'll be fine.
Otherwise, keep Ace at your side, and I'm willing to bet he'd put his life on the line to keep you two out of harm's way. "
That's the kind of devotion I've never known.
Johnny ran at the first sign of danger, happily leaving the weight of his decisions behind for me to deal with.
Ace doesn’t seem like the cowardly type.
While I haven't made up my mind on what I want to do, I soak in his words of reassurance before the sound of distant rumbling echoes outside.
There it is, the sound that used to make my blood run cold.
Setting my cup down, I hate the way I tense up at the sound of a motorcycle.
If I'm going to be spending time with a bunch of these guys, I need to get used to the low rumbles.
Rather than being a threat, the sound is more of a protection.
The thing is, it's not the rumblings of just one motorcycle. It sounds like a couple of them.
"About time." Smoke's on his feet, trudging to the kitchen to ditch his cup.
When the front door opens, Ace isn't the only one who's strolling in. He's got two other younger males behind him. They've got boxes in their hands, already drifting into the home like they know every inch of it.
Strangers. More strangers. More leather, more patches, more reminders of exactly what I'm getting into.
Leliah stops coloring to look up at all the passing traffic. She looks back at me for some kind of explanation, but I don't have one to give. Moving to sit up, her attention grows more to them than her art.
Ace scoops her up so she doesn't get run over, and grabs her stuff so no crayons get broken. With her in his hold, he then searches the room before settling on me.
Staring at him, the view before me claws at my chest. Not just because last night made things pretty complicated, but seeing my daughter leaning into him feels more like a sign. Like this could be okay if I let myself give in.
She trusts him. My daughter, who hides behind my legs when strangers get too close, is calm in his arms.
What does that say about him? What does that say about me?
"Sorry for leaving you here," he says as he eliminates the space between us. "Needed to grab some stuff."
Not giving me much to go off, I watch him set her coloring book down before seeing it. His knuckles are freshly wrapped, and I can only imagine what is hidden beneath.
He hurt someone during our time apart. Did he get hurt anywhere that I can’t see?
I should be horrified. Instead, I feel something warm uncurl in my chest.
He notices, too, but smiles. Freeing his hand, he strokes my hair. "Don't look so worried for me, or I'll get too worked up, sweetheart."
His hand is gentle. Despite what those knuckles did, despite the violence hiding beneath the surface, he touches me like I'm as fragile as glass.
Before I can ask what happened, one of the new faces pauses and lifts up a different box. "What am I doing with the kid's stuff?"
"My room," Ace answers, not breaking from my confused gaze. His smile softens as he pulls his hand away. "You haven't met her yet, but Hex is really good at what she does. She found your address, so we went and grabbed a few of your things. I hope it will make you feel more comfortable."
He went out of his way to go somewhere dangerous for me? I know Smoke had said he would, but to see the act play out is something entirely different.
No one has ever risked anything for me.
"I..." At a loss for words, I tear my eyes away just in time to see one of them lugging Leliah's stuffed bear beneath his arm. Scooching back, he doesn't budge when I try to stand. "I should help."
I need to move. I need to do something. I need to stop sitting here feeling like I'm going to become overwhelmed with all of these pesky emotions.
I don’t want all of his buddies to think I’m some kind of crybaby just because I can’t keep my tears in check.
Ace laughs at that before leaning down to press his mouth against my forehead. "Please don't. You're not wearing pants, and while Killer might have a girlfriend, Devil doesn't. I'd hate to get in a fight right after he helped me. Stay right there and enjoy yourself."
I’d say he’s joking, but there’s a darker look lingering beneath his gaze like he’s serious. Once more, he’s laying claim without saying the words.
He then carefully plants Leliah on my lap, ruffles up her hair, and drinks us both in. Shaking his head in disbelief, his mouth slants. "Can I kiss you?"
Now he's asking? The one we'd shared last night was never-ending and perfect. So much that I'm nodding without thinking.
He doesn't swoop down and take as he had before. This kiss is soft, a simple graze that earns a few groans in the background. Ace rumbles in approval, not minding the audience. Pulling away, he lets out a small sigh.
"Now I feel much better, thank you. Let me finish this up, and then we can enjoy ourselves."
In a daze, I'm nodding. Hugging Leliah closer to me, I have to stop her from reaching for my cup.
Kissing her messy strands of hair, I hide the smile that's forming on my lips to contain the undeniable happiness that wants to form.
The longer I allow myself to feel this way, the harder it's going to be to deny it in the near future.
Maybe enjoying myself a little will be okay... As if I have the strength to tell myself no anyway.