Chapter 63
CHAPTER
SIXTY-THREE
WRATH
“Vegas?” Elodie asks.
“Vegas,” I confirm.
She slips her tongue out of her mouth, just the tip of it, before sliding it along her bottom lip, and then rolls her lips together a few times. She nods a couple of times, as if she’s working through something inside her own head.
I watch her, standing at her kitchen counter, my hip against it, my coffee in hand from her little press contraption. I’m physically sated, my balls completely fucking dry from fucking her again this morning.
“When will you be back?”
My lips curve up into a smile. She’s taken me out of my thoughts for now, but I find the interruption welcome.
She wants me to come home, whether it’s because she thinks I’ll do something with someone else in Vegas or she really just wants me around, though if I’m being honest, it’s probably a bit of both.
I can’t take my eyes off her, my gaze focused on hers and nowhere else. “I’ll be back as soon as I fucking can.”
It’s a promise that I can keep, which is the only reason I’m giving it to her. I know without a doubt that I won’t be there long. I don’t want to go to this meeting with the Perovs, and it’s exactly where I imagined it would be, at their strip club.
Something I don’t tell her, not because I’ll be doing anything wrong, but after Velvet came at her with the detailed explanation of how shit works at the clubhouse, I’m pretty sure this might send her somewhat over the edge.
The sound of the front door opening still unnerves me slightly, even though I know it’s Alex on the other side. He walks into the apartment sleepy-eyed, coffee mug in hand, and I can’t help but smile.
Seriously, I can’t wipe my goddamn smile off my face when I’m around Elodie.
I’ve never been an overly happy person, but just being around her, in the same room as her, and taking her in, makes me happy.
It’s a brand-new sensation, and I’m allowing myself to soak it up and in, even if I won’t ever fucking say that shit out loud.
This is their routine, their world, and they’ve allowed me to be part of it.
I’m still not sure what I did to deserve any of this, but I’m not going to ask, either.
I’m going to just accept it as my new life, something that just fucking fell into my lap without warning, and love every goddamn second of it.
Stepping out of Alex’s way, I watch as he shoves his mug toward Elodie and she makes him a cup of coffee before gently gliding it back to him. Neither of them says a single word. He lifts the cup to his lips, taking a sip as his eyes slide close, and lets out a moan.
When that first sip hits his soul, Alex turns to me, his eyes widening as he realizes I’m standing here watching the interaction. Then I see an expression of guilt slide over his face.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have just walked in,” he murmurs.
I wave my hand around because I don’t give a shit. We could have been in the middle of fucking, my dick balls deep inside Elodie, and I still wouldn’t care. She might, but I wouldn’t give a fuck.
Alex is family, and it is what it is. But this seems to be the perfect moment to announce my plans for the future. For their future, well, really our future.
“I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to talk to you both together.”
They share a look that can only be described as surprise mixed with confusion. I don’t make them wait any longer, though. Clearly, they’ve got some questions, and I want them to think about this while I’m gone and have an answer for me by the time I return.
“I don’t like either of you living here, to be honest,” I begin.
Alex opens his mouth, likely to protest, but I don’t let him. I completely understand why they’re living here and what it took for them to get to where they are. But I’m in a position to help, and that’s what I’m going to do.
I continue my speech, ready to wrap up the conversation, because I don’t do emotions and shit. Plus, this isn’t up for discussion. I just want them to decide which townhouse they want. Hell, if I could get them to move out today, I fucking would.
“One of the brothers is big into real estate, and he’s got two townhouses he’s going to check out for me.
One is newer but has fewer amenities. The other is about twenty years old, clean, but has a pool and gym, shit like that.
The older one is priced low enough that we could update and upgrade the shit inside you want to.
Think about what you want, and that’s what I’ll buy. ”
“Buy?” Alex asks.
“For both of you. They’re both two beds, two baths.”
Alex and Elodie shift their focus from me to one another and then back to me. “I’ve talked about this,” I state. “I wasn’t fucking around. I couldn’t decide if I was going to rent you something or buy it. It’s better for me, financially speaking, to buy something.”
“But for both of us?” Alex asks again.
“You’re family, you’re in business together, and you need one another. So yeah, for both of you. Use your money to build your business instead of paying rent on two places. Maybe hire another employee or some shit, I don’t know. But let me take care of the housing shit for you.”
They don’t speak. Their mouths open and close a few times, then it’s Elodie who actually snaps out of it. “Coast, we can’t do that. It’s too much.”
My lips twitch into a smirk because she says that, but I can tell by the expression they’re both wearing that they want this. Bad. Maybe it’s feeling too much like a too-good-to-be-true moment. But it’s not. I’m offering this because it’s what I want. It’s selfish, really.
“Elodie?” I begin. “You’re not doing anything. I am.”
“But it’s too much,” she whispers, emphasizing exactly what I knew she would. The too-much part. Doesn’t she understand that if I keep her in my house, safe and satisfied, she’s got nowhere else she needs to be—just be mine?
“You my woman?” I demand.
Her eyes widen, her lips part, and she moves her jaw up and down, but nothing comes out. Which is fine. She doesn’t need to respond.
She is my woman.
I’ve claimed her, and soon she’ll be wearing my mark, too, so the whole world can see she’s mine. After that comes a wedding ring and maybe even some kids, if that’s what she wants.
“I’m yours,” she mutters.
“Damn fucking right.”
Conversation. Over.