Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 123825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Three—he had had a weird mental paradigm shift over the last few months. He blamed Key’s hard work ethic for rubbing off on him. He desperately wanted to support and spoil Key in the worst way. That was never going to happen with the meager salary he earned working for the Dallas County District Attorney’s office.
He wanted to downsize the house only because they lived in three rooms and the backyard. He liked the idea of sharing a more intimate home with Key. They’d need a secure place for his cars and Key’s bikes, and some wooded acreage so his biker would have a place to just be outside like he preferred.
Alec wanted to put this house on the market and build something more suitable to fit both their personalities. He smiled as he thought about marriage and the possibility of children. The image of a beautiful little chestnut to blond-headed baby warmed his heart. He’d thought about starting a family with Key. Of course, he hadn’t mentioned anything, and it wasn’t a deal breaker if Key didn’t want children. If everything worked out like he hoped, maybe someday they could expand their family. He was certain Key’s gentle caring nature would make him an attentive, kind, and loving father.
He sat back in his seat and marveled at how none of those thoughts freaked him out.
Focus on the here and now, Pierce. One step at a time.
Four—which might actually move to number one—Alec wanted to explore a traditional relationship with Key. Dinner out, traveling, shopping, movies, musicals, house parties, leisurely drives together whether it be by motorcycle or in one of his automobiles. With Key, he just wanted to do everything couples did together.
Five—he wanted Key away from that unforgiving world. Yeah, that one seemed selfish on his part. It did. Key never indicated anything other than those badass bikers being his family. Wouldn’t consider anything else and Alec didn’t try to persuade him differently. He listened to the things Key said and didn’t say, letting Key’s silence speak for itself. Key’s outlaw biker father didn’t accept Key any more than Alec’s family accepted him.
They were from such different backgrounds, yet their families regarded them in the same manner. Alec suspected the club used Key for his loyalty, strength, and reasonable nature, but they didn’t understand him or truly include him inside their inner circle—no way possible they truly accepted Key, not with as much time as he and Key spent together.
Whatever current situation Key found himself in with his club seemed to be leaving lasting scars. His lover wouldn’t discuss it, claiming vows and oaths prohibited him from talking club business, but Alec saw the fine lines of anxiety etching the corners of Key’s eyes and mouth, and maybe a distant sadness clouding those light-colored eyes any time Alec broached the subject.
The exception seemed to be with Dev. And that was Alec’s number six.
Six—Alec wanted to know Devilman. He also wanted to meet the rarely mentioned uncle. They were both kind, helpful, and unconditional in their acceptance, or so Key thought, but for some reason, Key kept Alec from them when all he wanted was to shake their hands.
Ultimately, Alec held all the power to change their lives. He’d only been sticking around the DA’s office for two reasons. The weakest of which was his father, but he was well past that obstacle. The real reason he’d stayed had been the Cummings case. The federal seat nomination and telling his father about his decisions had only been pushed back because he was vested in the welfare of that little girl.
The case grew more complicated with each passing day. Keely Cummings had touched Alec’s heart, but more so, Key’s unexpected tie to the case had sent his protective urges skyrocketing. Getting a clear picture from his father’s detailed rap sheet charges and how Key’s life ran almost parallel to the young girl’s had almost gutted Alec. That kind, gentle, sweet man had had a hell of a life.
Once Alec had digested Key’s father’s sordid life, he’d asked Janice to quietly pull Key’s CPS reports. That information was still sitting untouched on his desk. He was certain he wouldn’t like the information inside and wished he’d never asked for it in the first place.
Honestly though, Alec had stuck with the district attorney’s office to keep an eye on Keely Cummings’s father. After months of lengthy consideration, Alec’s personal concerns appeared to be just that. Months had passed and no one else had stumbled across the connection of Donald Cummings to the Disciples of Havoc. If that did happen, Alec would be honest with Key, give him the heads-up that Cummings might rat them out.
It was time to end this ridiculous farce with his family, though. He needed to end his nomination then his employment. He couldn’t change his heritage, but he could put distance between himself and his family—hell, it was already there. He hadn’t spoken to anyone but his father in well over six months.