Page 41 of Living Without

“Stop,” he ordered on a growl. Over his shoulder, I watched Josie, Low, Mrs Cliff, and other club members’ women come to a halt on Saxon’s words. “She needs rest, food, and water. You can see she’s… okay. But leave the fawning until later. She’s been through enough.”

My head dropped forward, hitting his shoulder. I bit my bottom lip to stop the wail wanting out of my throat. He understood. How did he understand?

I’d already felt too much, and everything was climbing on top of me, weighing me down. I wanted to talk to them all, to show them I was fine, but I was tired and highly strung from all I’d already gone through.

“Vicious,” I heard Dodge say. “Get her into a room. We’ll welcome her back later.” What he left off was “question her later.”

“Trey,” Low’s quiet voice was heard in the silent room.

“Little bird, you’ll get your girl soon. Yeah? Josie, yeah?”

“Yes, Dodge,” Josie answered.

I lifted my head when Saxon moved and once again, I was swung up into his arms. I rested my head against his chest as he swiftly walked from the room and down the hall, which held the bedrooms. Near the end, he stopped and using his hand that held my legs up, he opened the door and then kicked it closed.

My heart stumbled.

I was in his room. I knew it was his from the smell.

He moved over to another door and stood me on my feet. “You want a shower?”

“Yes,” I whispered, my eyes to the floor. “But… Kelsey?”

“Gypsy will keep an eye on her and come get you when she wakes, or we’ll send her in here.”

My hands restlessly played with the zipper on Dad’s jacket.

“Angel.” His voice was soft and it had my head lifting to meet his gaze. Never had he called me angel. The way he said it, the warm look in his eyes sent my belly dipping, and caused my head to muddle even more.

His hand reached up to touch my face. Why I cringed back, I didn’t know. I didn’t understand it. But I did, and I saw the pain lash through his eyes. He lowered his hand and took a step back.

“No,” I pleaded and quickly took his hand in mine and tugged it up to lay his palm flat against my cheek. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I moved back, but Idoknow I can trust you, Saxon.”

He watched as his thumb ran along my scar. His eyes came to me, and the warmth bled back into them before he said, “Have a shower. We’ll talk soon.”

“Thank you, Saxon,” I whispered. “Not only for being one to get us… out, but for also knowing what I needed. Time.”

“They’ll want to know everything, like I do, but you take the time you need.” With that, he leaned forward and touched his lips to my forehead.

My pulse beat hard. This was what we should have been like at the start. When he pulled away, I knew he’d seen the hurt in my eyes because he flinched.

“Angel, things will change.”

“Saxon—”

“No, Nary. I fuckin’ promise things will change. Time is all we need to sort some shit out.”

My eyes widened. “What are you saying?” I whispered.

He shook his head. “Get a shower, angel. We’ll talk soon.”

“Saxon—”

“Shower,” he ordered and opened the door to the bathroom.

With a roll of my eyes, I grumbled, “Fine.” It was then he gifted me with a chuckle and a smile. My eyes widened, only to soften, and I slid my hand to his chest. “Saxon,” I murmured.

His jaw clenched, and then I was in his arms. “Fuck, angel. Fuck. You’re back. So goddamn glad you’re safe, and I’ll make sure it stays that way.”

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