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  “Why are you here? You came to take her back?”

  “No, I came to talk to my son who seems to know how to fuck everything up. You think I didn’t know about the men you have with you? After five years, I didn’t know where you were every single day?” Devil asked.

  Simon tensed up.

  “That’s right. You’re my son, and no matter what you do, I’ll be there with you, every step of the fucking way. This shit you needed to do and I get it, I do. I get it more than most would. It’s part of who you are. This is what you were made to do. No one can take that away from you.”

  “You knew?”

  “Who do you think contacted Dean? Who do you think got him to show up?”

  “Has Dean been your contact?”

  “No. I told him after our last phone call he was to get rid of the cell phone. He did that. I don’t need a little mole to keep an eye on my son. I have my resources. You seem to forget, Simon, before I settled in Piston County, the road was my home. I made enemies but I also made a whole lot of friends and believe me, they’re loyal that if I give them a word, they will look out for who I want.” Devil stood up. “I’m not saying you didn’t slip off the radar a time or two, but I just knew, whatever it was you were hunting for, you’d find it and then I’d need to be ready.”

  “Ready for what?” Simon asked.

  “Ready for you to return to claim your woman. Tabitha has always been yours. It took some time for me to accept it, but I have. She’s yours. You’ve made that abundantly clear. I’m not going to get in the way of that. But there are some things you should know.”

  “I know about Nathan. I saw him.”

  Devil smirked. “I know. Who do you think told Lexie to bring Nathan to the door?”

  “You’re a meddling bastard.”

  “I’m a father and one day, you’re going to know what it feels like.”

  “Is he? Do you know if he’s mine?” he asked.

  “Does it matter?”

  Simon opened his mouth, closed it.

  “Think about it, Simon. Does it matter?”

  He thought about Nathan. The little boy. He’d looked so sweet.

  “No, it doesn’t matter.”

  “I don’t know the answer, and you’ve got to ask yourself, do you care? Tabitha loves him, your mother does. I do. He’s a great kid, Simon.”

  “I want to meet him,” Simon said, nodding. “I want to be his father.”

  “That’s a fast decision without knowing all the facts.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Look how you reacted when you found out the truth about Lexie. You ran out of town.”

  Simon ran a hand down his face. “I was a teenager.”

  “And?”

  “I’m not a kid anymore. I know what I want. That boy belongs to her and that makes him mine. I’ll love him no matter what.”

  “Then what are you going to do about this?” Devil pointed toward the cabin.

  Licking his lips, he smiled. “I need some time with her. She’s … I fucked up. Five years is a long time and she waited for me. I’ve got to make it up to her.”

  “Keeping her locked up in a cabin isn’t going to get her on your good side. Being nice to her kid, it could get you some points.”

  “And you know the answer to everything?” he asked.

  “I know the answer to a great deal of many things, Simon. I’m your old man and I haven’t gotten to where I am by being dumb.”

  “If I tried to win her back out there, she would hide from me. I wouldn’t be able to have this with her. At least locked up here, I can win her back. You know how damn stubborn she is. I need this,” Simon said.

  “Good, moving on because we can argue about this all day long. What’s going on with the other guys you brought along, and Dean? You going to be prospecting at the club again when you get all of this straightened out?”

  “Yes.” The club was part of the life he missed. He wanted his leather cut, to earn his patch.

  Once again, Devil smiled. “Then you’re going to have to bring your boys around. I’ve got to vet them for myself. I don’t just allow anyone into my club. Also, when you see Dean, tell him we’ll have his patched party.”

  “Patched party?”

  “Yep. He earned his patch. I’ve got the jacket ready for him.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me. I’ve got to continue to prospect and he’ll be patched in?”

  Devil shrugged. “You’re alive. He did everything I asked of him. I couldn’t ask him for more.”

  “You’re an asshole, Dad, a real big one.”

  “Don’t I know it. Your mother is going to want to see you as well. Don’t take too long at this.”

  “Does she know I’m here?” Simon asked.

  “Of course. She misses you and she hopes you work everything out with Tabitha.” Devil walked toward him and patted him on the shoulder. “It’s good to have you back.”

  Simon watched his father disappear amongst the trees and bushes. Anyone else, he’d be worried they’d get lost or die. Not his dad. Devil could find his way out of anywhere.

  Turning back to the cabin, he headed on inside.

  Tabby was in the kitchen, pouring boiling water into a cup. “Do you want a drink?”

  “Yeah, I’m parched.” They weren’t the words he wanted to hear. “Talk to me, Tabby.”

  She paused in filling his cup and sighed. “I honestly don’t know what to say to you.”

  “There was a time you could talk to me about anything.”

  She lifted her gaze to his. “There was.” She handed him the cup of hot coffee. She hadn’t bothered with cream or sugar. He took a sip of the bitter liquid and winced. Getting to his feet, he made the coffee how he liked it.

  “Are you saying you can’t talk to me about anything?”

  “Simon, I’m confused, okay? I don’t know what to say or do right now. What do you want from me exactly? Tell me and I will try to work on it.”

  He took her hand and held it tightly as she took a seat opposite him at the table. “I want you to be my woman.”

  “And I’ve asked for a divorce.”

  “With how you released on my cock, I’d say you weren’t ready for a divorce.”

  She tried to pull away.

  “Sorry. That was, fuck, I’m sorry. I’m not good at this.”

  “You’re right you’re not good.”

  “I love you,” he said.

  She lifted her gaze to his.

  “It has never changed how I feel about you.” He continued on even as she didn’t say a word. “I’m going to be staying in Piston County. I’ll be prospecting at the club.”

  “You’re going to stay?”

  “Yes. I’ve got nowhere else I want to be than with you. These past five years, I’ve wanted you.”

  Once again, tears filled her eyes and he hated himself. Why did he keep on fucking up with his words?

  “I know you’ve been through hell. I put you through that, but I’m here to fight for you, for us. I’m going to make this work.”

  She swiped at the tear that fell. “What if there is no us to fix?”

  “There is. Didn’t you feel it last night?” he asked.

  “That was just attraction. Lust.”

  “No, I’m not talking about the se … foreplay. I’m talking about holding you in my arms. Feeling you against me. You, in my arms, it’s where you’re supposed to be. You know that. Just give me time. It’s all I’m asking for. Time.”

  ****

  Lexie looked up from washing the dishes as Devil came in.

  “The kids are doing homework. Nathan’s asleep. He misses his mommy but hopes she’s feeling better,” she said.

  Devil nodded and moved toward her side. He put a hand on her waist, kissing her neck.

  “How is he?” she asked. She’d promised herself she wouldn’t beg to know any more than he was willing to give.

  Simon may not have been her flesh and bl
ood son, but she’d raised him. He was hers in every single way that counted and no one could take that away from her. She’d been with him through sickness and even now, when he’d ran.

  “He’s fucking tall. Big. He’s twice the size that he was.”

  “So he’s a little more like you?”

  “Probably.” Devil wrapped his arms around her. She heard him inhale and she chuckled. “You always smell so good.”

  “And you have an insatiable appetite.” She put her hands on his, loving these moments. They were most precious to her. “How is Tabitha?”

  “I didn’t see her but I know he’s taking care of her in his own way.”

  “Do we need to worry?”

  “Not yet. I think we will soon.” He sighed.

  “What is it?”

  “She’s keeping him on his toes. He looks so fucking tired. I hope he realizes what he’s taking on.”

  “Did he ask about Nathan?”

  “Yep. Of course, he did.”

  “Do you know what’s going to happen there?” she asked.

  “He’ll be a damn good father.”

  Lexie agreed. “Did he ask about … you know?”

  “He did, I told him I didn’t know.”

  “You lied to him.”

  “It’s not for me to tell him.” Devil pressed his face against her neck. “He’s going to be trouble, though. His thirst for blood is still there. At this time, I think he’d go to war with The Skulls to get the heads of all the Monster Dogs.”

  “Do you blame him?” She didn’t want her son going on a killing spree. The last one had cost him five years. More would only take the time he had.

  “I don’t blame him, but he needs to understand he can’t go after the whole club. That kind of war will destroy clubs, this one included, and I’m not going to let him implode on himself. A time will come when he needs to sit down with them. They are all going to need to come to some arrangement. I’m not going to hand Simon over and I won’t start a war.”

  She cupped his face. “Do you think you can make this work?”

  “Yeah, I do. If I didn’t think it couldn’t work, I wouldn’t have agreed to such an arrangement. I’m not a pussy, Lexie.”

  She laughed. “I didn’t say you were. Your mind is going a thousand miles a minute at times. I don’t know how I can keep up with you.”

  “You want to know how I know there’s a chance here to avoid war?”

  “Yes.”

  He smiled. “Tune in tomorrow.”

  She swatted at him. “Don’t do that. Tell me.”

  “The president will not be on the throne forever. The kid, Luke, Ryan’s friend. He’s going to take that place. Lash has told me he’s a good kid. Hard, got the skills to be a good leader.”

  “How does that help?”

  “Luke was there the night Simon shot Ryan in the face. He’s also the kid who happens to have a big crush on Tabitha. I have a feeling we can make this work.”

  Lexie frowned. “You’re going to use Tabitha?”

  “In time, when she doesn’t want to kill Simon, she’ll convince Luke to abandon the agreement and start afresh. She’s got what it takes. You’ve seen the way she’s been. She’s a fighter and I’ve got a feeling she will be one hell of a lioness for her family and for her club.”

  Chapter Ten

  Time!

  Always the same.

  The tick-tocking of a goddamn clock.

  She hated it.

  Tabitha stared out the window to where Simon was training with Dean. The other guy hadn’t been invited into the house, but she was getting bored of being locked up. She couldn’t remember how many days she’d been here, but not being out in the fresh air was starting to piss her off.

  Slamming her hand against the window, she caught their attention.

  Simon looked at her and returned to Dean.

  “I swear, Simon, if you don’t let me out, I will smash this window and then you won’t have another choice but to let me out.” She glanced behind her, seeing the lampshade. She didn’t know if it would be strong enough to smash the window, but she was willing to give it a try.

  Seconds passed, and she lifted it up with every intention of throwing it.

  Simon came to the door. “You’re not running away.”

  “As you’ve pointed out, I wouldn’t know where I was going. I don’t have a death wish.” She breezed past him, stepping into the sunshine. It was a rare warm day. Global warming was a huge concern, seeing as it was supposed to be fall.

  Tipping her head back, she enjoyed the rays of sunshine, basking in the warm glow of vitamin D.

  The sounds of grunting had her opening her eyes and looking toward the two men.

  “You’re just pissed,” Dean said.

  “Yeah, and I thought you were my friend.”

  “I am your friend. I kept you alive because I like you. Not for the damn patch.”

  “Is he still moaning over you earning your place at Chaos Bleeds?” Tabitha asked, taking a seat on the porch steps.

  Dean lowered his fists and laughed. “He told you?”

  “Yep, in his moaning voice.”

  “I’m standing right here. I didn’t moan.”

  “You totally did. You’re a grade-A moaner.” Tabitha watched them, seeing them spar. Simon had some skills. Dean at times was a little sloppy, but he had power as well.

  For a few blissful seconds, she could forget about what happened. It was at these moments she felt the saddest and most alone. The last five years did happen. She couldn’t sit around forever, waiting for the world to fade or for her to wake up as if it was some kind of dream. This was her reality.

  Getting to her feet, she stepped toward the men. Both stopped fighting. “I want to train.”

  “Not happening,” Simon said.

  “I want to fight. You saw what happened. I’m good taking down women, but I need to know how to attack men.”

  Dean chuckled. “You want to learn how to beat the crap out of Simon?”

  “Fuck off,” Simon said.

  “What? You’re the dick in this situation. It must be tough.”

  “I can still take you,” Simon said. “Don’t forget that.”

  “The guys are going to love you,” Dean said, patting her shoulder. “Simon never stopped talking about you. You’re somewhat of a legend to them.”

  She turned her attention to Simon.

  He stared right back at her.

  “You talked about me?”

  “Yeah, I had no reason not to. You’re my woman. Of course, I was going to talk about you.”

  “Yep, and we got everything from how he was going to get you pregnant. The dozens of babies he wanted. All of them boys. He didn’t want to have any girls as he would have to shoot all the boys who came near them.”

  Tabitha raised her fists. “It’s good to know I made an impression.”

  “You really do.” Dean stepped away, taking a seat where she’d been sitting only moments before.

  “Come on, Simon.”

  “Tabby?”

  “What? You think I can’t handle this? I’ve fought against Anthony, remember? When I get out of here, I might give him a call. Ask him to come here so I can fight someone who’ll treat me like a person.”

  Simon’s jaw clenched. They used to spar before. He never went too hard on her. He was always worried about hurting her. There was no reason for him to fear. She was strong.

  He tensed up, but he didn’t raise his fists. He moved a little closer and she stepped back.

  “I wouldn’t raise my hands to my opponent. It gets them prepared,” Simon said. “They’ll know you’re ready to attack. You’re waiting for it.”

  She lowered her hands, keeping him in her sight as they circled one another.

  “Wow, this is like mega foreplay. I’m surprised you two aren’t just naked and fucking. Only stopping for food and water.”

  “Shut the fuck up,” Simon said.

  Tabitha
didn’t avert her gaze.

  “This is good. Keep your focus on me. Always on me. Don’t let anyone else in your sight. I’m your enemy right now.”

  She saw his headlights in her mind. The feel of the cold wrapping around her. The chill. The pain. It was all too much.

  She attacked, slamming her fist toward his stomach, but he blocked her. She went again, and he stopped her. His touch hard yet not painful.

  Falling back, he moved toward her. As he went to land a blow, she stopped it. She put her hand up and felt how he held back.

  Simon was strong, but he wasn’t going to hurt her.

  Rather than continue on, she turned her back on him and entered the cabin. Silence met her exit.

  She went straight to the bathroom. Removing her clothes, she turned the shower on, and the cold spray of water hit her body, shocking her. She wanted it. Anything right now would be better than the feelings consuming and tightening inside her chest.

  “Why did you walk away?” Simon asked.

  Tilting her head left and right, she ignored him.

  The shower curtain opened up and she turned. He was still fully dressed and she was naked.

  “Leave,” she said.

  “You want to spar, we’ll do it. I don’t have a problem.”

  “I don’t want to spar with you, Simon. I want to fucking hurt you.” She glared at him.

  “Then hurt me.”

  “No, because then I feel guilty. I don’t want to hurt you at the same time. You did what you did and you left me. You got on that fucking bike and without a damn care in the world, you rode away like I was nothing.”

  He pulled his clothes off and stepped into the shower. “I didn’t want to leave you.”

  She laughed. “You didn’t want to, but you could. Don’t you see that? You were able to get on that bike and you’ve lived. Look at you, you made the most of what happened.”

  “Do you think I’ve lived? Is that what you think this is?” He cupped her face, tilting her head back, forcing her to look at him. “I didn’t live, Tabby. Nothing about this was fun. I survived. From day to day. It’s all I did. Whenever I entered a fight, I thought of you. I saw your tears. I saw your pain.”

  “Then why didn’t you come back to me?” She slammed her hand against his chest. “I needed you here and you left. Why didn’t you come back to me? Why didn’t you love me enough to stay?”