Page 147 of The Outlaw's Savage Revenge

“Why?”

He braces his weight on his forearms to face me, the motion brushing his chest against my breasts. My core tightens around him involuntarily, making me achingly aware of just how hard he still is.

“Luciana, can you see me leading the Reaper Druids MC? A monster in a crown of thorns?”

My thoughts spin as his words sink in. “Phoenix wants you to take over from him?”

Cade doesn’t answer with words; he just does that subtle side-nod thing.

Something leaps inside me—joy, maybe hope.

Maybe if he takes on this role, he’ll finally stay in one place. Maybe he’ll be too occupied to chase vengeance across continents. Maybe . . .

Don’t fall. He won’t catch you.

I push Scar’s voice and my own desperate hope aside and answer truthfully.

“I can, actually. You’re selfless. Protective. You inspire fear and devotion.” My voice softens as my fingers trace the chiseled line of his jaw. “I know I’d follow you to hell.”

“Stop it.” He growls, but I feel him throb inside me.

A smug smile curves my lips. I can’t believe how responsive this man is to my touch—my praise.

“I mean it, Cade. True, I might fight you all the way, but ultimately, I’ll obey you.”

“Luciana,” he warns, voice dropping into that dangerous timbre that makes my stomach flip.

“What?” I grin. “Can’t handle a little honesty?”

In one swift motion, he pins my wrists above my head. “Don’t play with me.”

The teasing drains from my voice when I see how much he wants my opinion. “I’m being honest. I think you’d be incredible . . .”

“But?” His focus sharpens on my mouth—like he’s trying to pull the words from me.

I take a steadying breath. “But I think you’re too wild to be contained in just one role. I mean, can you commit to something like that long-term?”

I’m no longer talking about the club, and we both know it.

His jaw ticks, and his hands flex against my wrists. “Do you really need me to answer that?”

I shrug, aiming for nonchalance and missing by a mile. “No, I don’t. I’d be an idiot to think I could compete with two decades of vengeance and blood.”

A slow smile spreads across his face. “Modesty doesn’t suit you, baby.”

I chuckle despite myself. “Fine. You want to know what I really think? I think you were screwed the moment you laid eyes on me at Enigma.”

“There she is.” His grin deepens, his eyes blazing hot. “My sweet poison.”

He starts to move again, his body igniting mine in ways that make coherent thought impossible. I give myself over to it, drowning in the moment because right now, I can’t face the truth.

I’ve fallen for a man whose soul is sold to vengeance.

This is going to hurt like hell.

44

Cade

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