Page 58 of Living Without

It was the next day when I stood out front with Gypsy while our women were off to the side whispering to each other, hugging, and saying their goodbyes. The previous night had gone well. The party was wild like it always was when it came to Hawks celebrating, but the girls stuck close to one another and still, even with the sour note of Kelsey leavin’, they enjoyed their time.

Glancing at Gypsy, I saw his eyes were on the women. “You think you’re doin’ the right thing, takin’ her with you?” I asked.

His jaw clenched and he nodded, meeting my stare. “Fuck yes, I see it no other way. If I left without her, I’d be worried the whole damn time. She’s it for me.”

“Good to hear, brother.” I held out my hand to him. He unfolded his arms from his chest and thrust his hand out, but I didn’t grip it. I took hold of his wrist. He grabbed mine before I brought him in close for a swift hard pat. Pullin’ back, I told him, “Can’t ever thank you enough. Fuck, you goin’ in there without a weapon and just us at your back to get my woman… Christ, I seriously can’t thank you enough. Ever need me, I’m there, and I’m not just talkin’ ’bout what the club owes yours.Youever need me, just fuckin’ ask, man, you got me?”

“Honoured, brother, to have the chance to help you all out and to find my peace.” His eyes moved to Kelsey and back again. “Honoured.”

“We’d better pry those two apart so you don’t miss your flight.”

He chuckled. “Could be a task, but I bet you’re right.” He let out a shrill whistle, and the women looked over at us. “Darlin’ we have to get movin’.”

Kelsey grinned at her man and nodded. Then they went back to huggin’ and talkin’.

Laughin’, I said, “Right, I’ll grab mine and you take yours.”

“That’s a better plan.”

We started their way. They saw us coming, so Nary turned, stepped up to Gypsy and hugged him tightly. “You promise to take care of her?”

“With my life.”

My woman pulled back and grinned up at him. “That was a good answer.”

Reaching out, I grabbed the back of Nary’s jeans and tugged her back into me, so her back collided with my chest. “Woman, they hav’ta get goin’.” Glancing at Kelsey, I gave her a chin lift and said, “Keep in touch, yeah?”

“Yes, Saxon.” She nodded. “Um, t-thank you for letting us stay in your room.”

“Don’t mention it,” I replied.

Gypsy grabbed her bag off the ground, not that she had much; what she did have was extra clothes Nary had. Kelsey didn’t want to go shopping for new stuff. “We’ll talk soon,” Gypsy said.

“Yeah, brother.” I nodded once.

They started for the waiting taxi. Gypsy didn’t want us at the airport. He wanted to settle his woman in with just the two of them, wanted to see how she was gonna cope without Nary being around. Hell, I was sure Kelsey would be fine. Pure devotion was all I saw when she looked at her man. It might take a while for them to be what they needed to, but they’d get there.

“Bye,” Nary called.

Kelsey turned and waved. Nary blew her kisses and gripped my arm as I slid it around her waist. Both women—I didn’t even have to look at Nary’s face to know—had eyes shining with tears.

Nary kept waving until the taxi turned outta sight. Leaning forward, I rested my chin on her shoulder and said, “It’ll be good for her.”

She sighed. “I know.”

“You were her crutch and she yours.”

She nodded. “I know.”

“You’ll worry and so will she, but you’ll both shine eventually.” She said nothing, only gave me another nod. Fuck, the next few days were gonna be hard on her. I wasn’t sure she was ready for our chat. I didn’t want to lay my crap on her when she was raw from losing Kelsey. “Angel, let’s get outta here for a while.”

She stiffened. “Where?” she whispered.

“Wanna take you somewhere for lunch.”

“I’d like that,” she whispered.

Christ, I fuckin’ loved the woman in my arms.

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