Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72790 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72790 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
“I’m going to get the air filters set up in her room.”
He brushed his hands off.
“I’ll help you.”
Lucky carried things up the stairs, including the clean sheets I’d packed for Jacey. She used special chemical free sheets that were washed in borax and a tiny bit of non toxic detergent. He watched me, asking questions and being very careful to follow my lead.
He was learning what Jacey needed, I realized.
I felt my heart bloom inside my chest, along with the fear. He was perfect. We could be so happy with him.
If only it didn’t have to end…
An hour later and Jacey was in her new bed, smiling as she fell asleep. I couldn’t remember the last time she’d done that. The kid was naturally happy, but things had been hard for a while. And I knew she worried about me when I was out at night.
When I came down the stairs, Lucky was in the kitchen rustling around. He handed me a steaming cup.
“What’s this?”
“A hot toddy. Well, kind of. I found some whiskey and herbal tea.” He ran his hand over my shoulder. “I figured you could use it.”
I nodded and took a sip. It felt wonderful going down. A welcoming warmth filled me from the inside out.
“Come on, let’s put you to bed.”
I nodded and walked back up the stairs to the bedroom I’d chosen across from Jacey. I’d left the bigger room for Lucky.
When he tried to follow me into the bedroom I stopped him, placing my hand on his warm, hard chest.
“Lucky… I can’t.”
He was close. Too close.
“If you think I’m trying to have sex with you, you are sorely mistaken.”
“I am?”
He nodded. I bit my lip. I had to try and explain.
“I mean… I haven’t been with anyone since…”
“Since Jacey’s dad,” Lucky finished for me. I nodded, feeling shy. But then he grinned. “That’s alright, Angel. That’s just fine.”
He pulled me close.
“That just means you’re all mine.”
I sighed, not ready to tell him that I’d made a promise to God. He was not going to like it. He would probably kick us out in the cold.
I couldn’t risk telling him. Not yet.
But that’s not why I let him kiss me. I wanted him too. I think I actually needed his touch.
“Enough of that or I will go back on my word.”
“You really just want to… sleep?”
“I need to have you close, Angel. You scared the hell out of me today.”
I laughed shakily.
“I scared the hell out of myself, too.”
He nodded and took my hand. He guided me into the bed. He pulled the covers up over me and then laid on top of them. He pulled his shirt off and drew me close again.
“Is this okay?”
I nodded, feeling oddly touched by his actions. He was so gentlemanly. So understanding. He respected me, I realized. It wasn’t just about sex to him. He really was perfect…
“Thank you, Lucky.”
He kissed my forehead.
“Sleep well, Angel.”
Chapter 23
Janet
“He tried to…”
Jack nodded grimly. It was late. We were in his shop out back behind our new house. My man had been out, and I had been worried. But not mad or resentful. Never mad when he was on one of his missions.
My big, dangerous looking husband had a heart of gold. It was big enough for me and our kids and the club and lots of other people too. He couldn’t have stopped trying to help people if he tried. Hardships and heartbreaks in his early life had made him the ultimate protector. It was one of the many, many things that I respected, admired and loved about him.
My husband was a big, burly Superman.
I knew without a doubt that Jack would risk his life to save someone. Especially a kid or a woman who was in danger. He didn’t even have to know them. Anyone who was weaker than their attacker, or vulnerable in some other way. He was fierce and ruthless in defense of anyone who was being abused.
Especially when it came to someone who tried to hurt women and children.
“Lucky wouldn’t let me help them get rid of the body.”
I nodded, not surprised. I was sure Lucky had tried to keep him out of the picture entirely, other than finding his woman. It was nuts to think of Lucky settling down. He was almost as wild as Callaway had been. But somehow, Lucky was even more of a loner.
He was funny as hell. Outrageous. Often rude and determined to mess with people. He was the best shit talker I’d ever seen in action, and I’d seen a lot. But Lucky was also loyal to a fault. Brave and kind and protective, too.
“But it’s done?”
“Yeah. The girl’s smart too. She found a way to burn the evidence.”
“The evidence?”
“Her jacket. Her shoes.”
“I still can’t believe a high heel could do that to a man.”