Chapter Seven #2
Cinder hung his head. “Stupid sons of bitches. Those two are going to try fixing this on their own. Or rather, your husband seems to be content to sit on his ass while Specter does fuck all on his end. If you’re waiting on either of them to save you, I have a feeling you’ll be in this house a long-ass time.
That man of yours has connections if he’d only reach out to them. ”
I had a feeling he meant the Russian Mafia ties I’d recently learned about. I knew why Charming wasn’t calling anyone. He’d wanted to remain dead to those people, and because of me, they now knew he was still alive. He worried they’d come for him and put me at even more risk than I already was.
“There’s not much I can do. I don’t have any skills that would get me out of this,” I pointed out.
“Charming is just being overly cautious. He doesn’t want those men to find me, especially since I’m carrying his child.
I can’t blame him. None of this is his fault. That lies solely at my brother’s feet.”
“We can agree on that much.”
“If you’re here, does that mean Church is over?” I asked.
“It is. Your husband should be here soon. I’m sure he got caught on his way out. The old ladies aren’t the only nosy ones around here.”
“If the Cartel thinks I’m in Las Vegas getting married, wouldn’t it be safe for me to come out of hiding? At least inside the compound?” I asked.
“I would think so, but that’s not up to me.
Talk to Charming. Let him know you need human interaction, other than just him.
Maybe he can work something out. I may not agree completely with how he’s handling things, but you’re his wife and he’s my President.
Might have been my title once upon a time, but I stepped down.
I don’t have the right to say what you can or can’t do. ”
“I’ll try talking to him. I don’t think it will do any good, though. He’s incredibly stubborn.”
Cinder laughed. “You got that right. Then again, I think all of us are, in one way or another. There’s another thing we have in common.
When we claim a woman, we’re all in. There’s nothing we won’t do for our family.
Even if you think he’s being unreasonable, or an outright jackass, he’s doing what he thinks is best. If he lost you, he’d probably fall apart.
Wouldn’t show it. He’s too tough for that.
Doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be a wreck inside. ”
“I don’t plan on going anywhere. Not willingly anyway.”
He nodded. “I figured as much. Not too many women would agree to be confined the way you have. Either you’re scared shitless, or you’re content being with Charming.
Not sure I’d go so far as to call it love, since the two of you haven’t known each other very long, but I think you could get there. Both of you.”
I pulled out a kitchen chair and sat. “You think so? That he’d love me someday?”
Cinder smiled. “Honey, that boy is already falling, if he isn’t all the way in love already.
He wouldn’t go to so much trouble, or worry this much, over someone who didn’t matter.
And before you ask, it has nothing to do with the baby.
Little birdie tells me he’s been searching for you, long before you came here. ”
“He mentioned it to me.”
“Give him time. He’ll tell you how he feels when he’s ready.”
I nodded. “I’m used to stubborn alpha men.
Charming isn’t much different from my brother.
I think that’s the only reason Specter hasn’t thrown a fit.
He wasn’t overly thrilled that Charming was the father of my baby.
Of course, he didn’t like the fact I hadn’t told him I was pregnant either.
He discovered it through insurance paperwork, of all things. ”
“You’ll always be his baby sister, no matter how old you get. Even when your little one arrives, he won’t see you any different.”
“Well, that’s comforting.” I shook my head. “Do you want some coffee or tea?”
Cinder moved closer and sat at the table. “Coffee would be good. Have a feeling your man might need some when he gets home. Saw him down at least two beers during Church, and saw one in his office beforehand.”
“Is that not normal? The night we met, I think he had about six or seven.”
“Depends. Usually he drinks to let loose, or when he’s more stressed than usual. I’m betting it’s the latter reason this time.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t have come here. I’m only causing trouble for him.”
“What the fuck did you just say?”
I gasped and turned, seeing Charming in the doorway. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Clearly, or that stupid shit wouldn’t have come out of your mouth. Is that what you think? That you’re a burden?”
I heard Cinder’s chair creak and saw him lean back and fold his arms. Great. It seemed I’d really stepped in it this time, and the ex-President wouldn’t help me out.
* * *
Charming
I couldn’t believe Dakota thought for one second I would wish her away, or our child.
If she hadn’t shown up in town and called me, I’d have kept searching for her.
Wouldn’t have stopped until I had her by my side.
Just took me a little too long to realize that’s where she belonged.
If I’d have been smart, I’d have convinced her to come home with me when we first met. I’d known then she was different.
If Cinder weren’t sitting at the table, I’d put her over my damn knee and spank her ass. I clenched and unclenched my fists. Cinder stood. I’d thought maybe he’d read the room and take the fuck off. Nope. Bastard came over and placed a hand on my shoulder.
“She’s concerned about you, much like you are about her.
Your woman didn’t mean that in quite the context you took it.
Everyone can see the strain is putting you on edge.
Even your brothers and their women, who have no clue what’s going on, can tell that things aren’t right with you.
” Cinder patted my back. “You need more of a break from the house, and she needs someone else to talk to.”
“That what you want, Dakota? Me to be gone more?” I asked.
She slowly shook her head. “I enjoy spending time with you, Ha… I mean, Charming. But you have things to do, a club that needs you. You can’t stay here all day every day, and I need more human interaction.”
“Since I already know about her, and so do the prospects, I have a proposal for you,” Cinder said.
“We can say there’s a special project at your house.
Super secret, but you’ll share when you’re ready.
I can ‘help’ and so can the prospects. It will free up more of your time, and keep your woman occupied when you can’t be here. ”
“I don’t know how long this will drag on,” I admitted. “Specter isn’t very forthcoming with how things are progressing. All I know is that I can’t lose Dakota. If that means she stays in this house, then so be it.”
“I thought you were going to deny any knowledge of me,” Dakota said. “You can’t do that if the club knows you’ve been coming here.”
Cinder waved her off. “The two of you clearly need more support than you’re receiving from Specter. Not a lot I can do without telling more people, so I’ll help any way I can. If that means I come visit you for a bit, then that’s what I’ll do.”
I saw the hope shining in Dakota’s eyes and knew I wouldn’t be able to say no. She’d handled all this surprisingly well. If our roles had been reversed, I’d have most likely been a total dick about it.
“All right, but let’s make this look legit, so the club will back off a little.
Wire knows about her, so it’s possible Shade will figure it out.
Might as well tell him. And it gives Dakota another person to talk to.
” I ran a hand over my head. “The attic could be turned into some extra rooms, in case we need the space later. The prospects could bring in supplies like subflooring and extra insulation. You or Shade could stop by to supervise when I’m not around.
Not sure that qualifies for a secret project, but we can say I don’t want people in the house during construction. ”
Cinder nodded. “That could work.”
“You’d do all that for me?” Dakota asked.
“And that’s my cue,” Cinder said. “I’m going to step out back for a few minutes. If you don’t come get me, I’ll assume the two of you want to be alone.”
Once he’d left, I went to Dakota and kneeled in front of her, taking her hands in mine.
“Sweetheart, haven’t you figured it out yet?
There’s not a damn thing I wouldn’t do for you, as long as it doesn’t put you in harm’s way.
You’re my wife, Dakota. My old lady. The mother of my child.
Most importantly, you’re the woman I think about every single day, even when we were a quick fling. I couldn’t get you out of my head.”
She pulled her hands from mine and threw her arms around my neck. “I thought about you every day too.”
I chuckled. “I also have a confession to make. I didn’t delete our video. Watched it every night and jacked off to it.”
She gasped and drew back, her cheeks turning pink. “You didn’t!”
“I most certainly did. Maybe we can make another one. That way, whenever you’re pissed at me, I have plenty of homemade porn featuring my favorite girl.
I don’t even want to yank one out thinking of anyone but you.
” I pressed my lips to hers. “In case you haven’t figured it out, I’m crazy about you, Dakota. You own me.”
“What happens if my brother refuses to give the woman back to the Cartel? They’ll never stop looking for me. I can’t live like this forever, Halden. It’s making me feel like I’m losing my mind, and I’ve only been in this house for a week. What happens next week? Or next month?”
“One day at a time, sweetheart. I’ll try to get in touch with your brother tonight. Hopefully, he has some good news for us. I’ll also check with Wire and see if he can tell whether the Cartel took the bait and headed to Las Vegas.”
She nodded. “And you can find out if anyone from your past is looking for you.”