Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 49589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
“You call two and a half hours not a long ride?” I just grinned at her. Which made her scowl at me. “Fine. But please, let me work my way up to rides that long next time, huh?”
I leaned in and kissed her cheek. “I’ll look forward to it.”
“I’m hearing a double entendre there.”
“Not denying it.”
I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face as I led her through the compound and toward the inner warehouse that housed most of the living quarters. Venus and Piston had said their goodbyes outside the gate while Mama and Pops had stayed to see Gunnar for a while, which left us alone when we reached the apartment Knuckles’ wife, Hannah, assigned us.
“It’s got two bedrooms and two bathrooms, so you’ll have as much privacy as you want.” I opened the door and let her go in ahead of me. “If you’re not comfortable with me staying with you, I’ve still got my old quarters. I didn’t let Knuckles order anyone to move my shit.”
“No! I want you here!” She slid her hands up my chest to circle my neck and pull me down for a kiss. “I’m nervous, but I trust you and I’ll feel better with you here.”
“I know this is a lot for you to adjust to in not a lot of time. But you saw how everyone worked at the Iron Tzars while we were there. Right?” When she nodded, I continued. “It’s the same here. We support each other no matter what. Probably more so here because of our shared experiences in prison and our respect for Knuckles.”
“Yeah. I could see that. I only saw part of how things were for you, but I saw enough. While there were some inmates I thought deserved everything they were getting, the whole process just seemed a bit dehumanizing. Treat someone like an animal long enough and they become one.”
“Knuckles helped all of us at some point while we were inside. So, yeah. I guess what you said is true, but it’s also paying it forward.”
Nadine smiled at me before turning to take in the room which ended up into an airy living space with floor to ceiling windows along two sides. There was a couch that had seen better days, but was clean. A sturdy coffee table sat in front of the couch and a flat screen was mounted on the wall. The kitchen was small but functional with dark wood cabinets and stainless-steel appliances that gleamed under the overhead lights. Two doors led off the main room, one to the bathroom, the other to the second bedroom.
“Two-bedroom suite,” I told her as she walked around, opening a closet door. I shoved my hands in my pockets. “There’s a bathroom through there.” I gestured toward the hallway. “And the main bedroom is at the other end with its own bathroom. You can have that room.”
“Aren’t you sharing it with me?” She turned back to me, meeting my gaze from across the small distance.
“If you want me to. But I want you to know that’s your space. I’ll be there if you want me, but only by your invitation.”
Her expression relaxed. We’d only had the one interlude together before we’d slept, and then we’d left to come here. I knew she was still unsure about me, but I thought it was in the sense that she was afraid I was playing with her somehow. It might be easier on me if I was, because I could see her unease with my club. The difference in her body language at the Iron Tzars compound and here at Kiss of Death told me a lot. I was sure she was trying to reconcile the fact that everyone here had served time in prison for one reason or another and that none of us were truly bad men. We defended those we loved to the death, but we had our own code and we stuck to it.
“Well, you have an open invitation. If I decide I don’t want you there, I’ll rescind that invitation.”
I leaned down to kiss her, needing to taste her one more time before I left. “I’ve got to meet with Knuckles,” I said. “Club business. Won’t be long.”
“Are you sure about this, Pain?” Her voice was steady and there was still a sweet smile on her face, but there was an edge to it. Maybe a hint of fear.
“Yeah,” I said with complete confidence. “I’ve never been more sure of anything. I’ll be back soon. Soak in the bath. Then get some rest.”
“Thank you, Pain.” She rested her forehead against my chest briefly before looking back up at me. “Thanks for coming for me. I can’t even think about what would have happened if you hadn’t.”
“Honey, I’ll always come for you. Always. No matter what, I’ll always find a way to get to you.”