Chapter 48
“How’s your dinner?”Bones asked as he looked at me across the table.
“It’s good,” I replied.
He arched a brow. “It’s good. Don’t let the chef hear that.”
I smiled and reached across the table to caress his cheek. His scruff was rough underneath my fingers and a shiver worked its way down my spine. He looked glorious in candlelight, carved in shadows, his normally bright eyes dark and mysterious.
The sapphire and diamond ring on my left hand glinted in the light.
“It’s good,” I said, getting back to our conversation. “But your steak looks better.”
“Well, Holliday’s is a steak house.” He reached for his glass of wine.
“Can I try a bite?” I asked.
He raised his brows. “You don’t eat red meat.”
“I know, but I was wondering if maybe I’m getting a taste for it again.”
Bones cut off a piece of his filet mignon and set it on my plate. I cut it into a few pieces and then stuck one into my mouth. It nearly melted on my tongue. It was savory and warm, and it had been cooked to perfection.
I looked longingly at his plate.
“Trade with me,” he said.
“What?”
“I’ll eat your fish and you can eat my steak.”
I shook my head. “I shouldn’t. I mean, I haven’t had red meat in years. I should go easy.”
“Then go easy,” he suggested. “But I’ll give you my plate.”
“You really do love me, don’t you?” I teased.
“I really do,” he said, his voice rough as he stared at me.
“How’s the wine I chose for you?” I asked, once we’d traded plates.
“Perfect. You want to try a bit of that too? Live a little?”
I shook my head. “No. That, I’ll pass on.” I cut another small bite of steak, wanting to savor it, but also wanting to make sure it didn’t upset my stomach. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure. By the way, you’re insane. This fish is amazing. And I’m not a fishy person.”
I smiled. “It’s not better than the steak, though.”
“No. It’s not. What were you going to ask me?”
“When my mother mentioned private security…you had this look on your face like you were seriously considering it.”
“I am considering it. Actually, it’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while. And I’m considering bringing it to Colt.”
“Really?” My brow furrowed. “That seems so…”
“So what?”
“Tame. By the books. Not outside the bounds of normalcy,” I stated.
A crooked smile painted his mouth. “The Tarnished Angels are kind of in uncharted territory right now. We’ve moved away from what we were involved with, but we haven’t really figured out what will replace…the other things and still remain lucrative. You understand?”
“There’s that PR spin,” I said with a smile. “Well, speaking as your wife, I approve of the direction you’re thinking of moving in and I’ll do anything to support it—even fund it.”
“Line drawn,” he said. “Not happening.”
I looked up from my plate. “What, you don’t want to talk about it anymore?”
“Not if you’re going to talk about money. Your money doesn’t touch our club.”
I frowned. “I don’t understand. I have more than enough money. I love you. I don’t want any of you struggling when there’s no reason to struggle.”
“It’s not about the struggle. I didn’t marry you to hit you up for cash. So, no, Hayden. If the club wants to get involved with private security, we’ll fund it another way. Not from your trust fund. End of discussion.”
I leaned back in my chair. “End of discussion? Why is me offering to help a bruise to your ego?”
“It’s not a bruise to my ego.”
“Then take it as a loan.” I shrugged.
“Enough,” he barked. His tone was loud enough that he turned customers’ heads.
I clamped my mouth shut.
“We’re supposed to be celebrating our marriage. Not talking about finances,” he muttered.
“Fine. I’ll shelve the discussion.” I reached for my water.
I knew the man had pride, but it wasn’t as though I was lording my wealth over him. At some point, he’d have to see how ridiculous it was not to accept my financial help. The club getting a bank loan at a terrible interest rate was just bad business.
And yet I knew he’d never ask me for help, which was why I had no problem offering it.
Silverware clanked against our plates as we continued to eat in silence.
“I didn’t marry you for money,” he repeated. “I won’t ask you for it.”
“You didn’t ask, I offered,” I pointed out. “If you want to shelve this conversation until we’re in private, then we can. But we’re not done talking about it.”
He leaned forward. “Under no circumstances are you to go to Prez with this.”
I frowned. “What the hell does that mean?”
“I mean, you don’t go behind my back. I’m your man, and we’ll discuss it between us. You won’t go to my president and move ahead with this idea and cut me out.”
“That’s emasculating and I’d never undermine you like that,” I said automatically. “But just answer this one question and then I promise to drop it for the rest of the night.”
“Go on.”
“Would Colt accept my money?”
“Yes,” he said immediately. “Because his first thought is aways about the club. What’s best for it as a whole. That’s why he’s president.”
“And your first thought isn’t the club?”
He paused. “It was, but it’s…different now.”
“Different.”
“You made me different.”
I frowned. “What are you saying?”
“I don’t know, Duchess.” He paused as he gathered his words. “Today made me see things in a different light. See my life—and my club in a different light.”
“In a bad way?”
“No. Just different, I guess. I’m not explaining it well.”
“No, you’re not,” I agreed.
“When I walked into that building with you, I was wearing a four-hundred-dollar cashmere sweater. I haven’t been comfortable being called Royce in far too long. But hearing you introduce me as Royce… For the first time in a long time, I wanted to be Royce first and Bones second.” He fell silent for a moment. “I’m not good enough for you, Duchess. I know that. No matter how your mother spins it. No matter if I go into private security or not. I’m still a biker with rough hands.”
“A little late to be having this conversation, don’t you think?” I asked softly. “Besides, we’ve already talked about this. You’re both Royce and Bones. I love both sides of you.”
“They’ll drag you through the mud in the papers,” he said.
“No doubt,” I agreed.
“They’ll say you’re not fit to run Spencer Pharmaceuticals.”
“Then let them say it—I’ve already thought that for far too long. And if they think that because of who I married, then fuck them.”
He arched a brow and a slow smirk spread across his lips. “Didn’t know you had it in you, Duchess.”
“What? To be foul-mouthed?” I snorted. “I guess I better learn if I want to hang with you and your boys, hmm?”
“I like you just the way you are,” he said, his eyes shining with pride. “Don’t change on my account.”
I smiled. “Same goes for you.”
“You finished with your meal?”
“Yes.”
“Then let me pay and let’s get out of here.”
I lifted my napkin and dabbed my lips. “I just need to use the restroom.”
“Make it quick, Duchess. I want dessert.”
“You didn’t just say that,” I said, feeling my cheeks heat.
“Yeah, I did.”
“I’ll be quick,” I assured him.
I grabbed my black clutch and then turned and strode toward the bathroom. I didn’t need to look over my shoulder to know he was watching me.
Holliday’s’ decor was designed to look like an old railway car. Leather booths, tablecloths with white napkins over heavy tables, and Edison bulbs in European sconces that added a bit of mystery and luxury. The women’s restroom had a leather love seat and three stalls.
As I was washing my hands, a quick stab of pain shot through my temple. I closed my eyes and held on to the marble counter. My stomach rolled with nausea, and I swayed like I was on a yacht deck.
“No,” I murmured.
Opening my eyes, the room kaleidoscoped as I tried to step toward the door and call for help. Another stabbing pain shot through my temple and I pitched forward, smacking my head against the counter on the way down.
I barely registered the pain as I fell to the floor.
“Bones,” I whispered just as the vortex swallowed me and everything went black.