Page 27 of The Secret's Out

Chapter Seven

Josie

I had never heard Eli speak like that before. I knew motorcycle men were different from most average men. I knew when they protected, they did it fiercely. I just didn’t know that when they wanted to get a point across, they did it in such a way that was crude, mean and vicious.

Was I disgusted with what Eli said?

Yes.

Was I scared by what Eli said?

Yes.

Could I get over what Eli said?

Yes. 100 percent yes. At the time, it was a shock to my fragile system. However, no matter what way I looked at it, I knew he was doing it all for me.

He hated what I was going through, so much so he let his emotions run him. Those strong, wild emotions were something frighteningly sweet, and I meant ‘sweet’ because he was doing it for me.

Should I be scared to see that side of him?

No.

How could I when he was doing it all to protect me.

Looking back through the window, I witnessed Eli throw his head back and laugh out loud to something Marybeth said and that sight was beautiful. So even though the words scared me, Eli himself didn’t because I knew I would be safe around him, and Caden.

“Precious, you okay?” Caden asked as we stood outside waiting for Eli.

My gaze went from Eli inside to Caden, and I smiled. “Yes, I’m fine.”

He studied my face, looking from my eyes to my mouth and then his lips twitched. “Good.” He took my hand in his. I didn’t flinch that time. I welcomed it. It was Caden after all and when Eli came out, I could also take his hand, because he was Eli and they were my home.

“Our girl is strong.” Caden grinned.

Nodding, I said, “I’m getting there with your help, Eli’s, and Simone’s. I finally feel I can be.” I giggled. “Though, you both better look out when I’m fully there.”

He chuckled. “Looking forward to it.”

The diner’s door opened and out strolled Eli. He ran a hand through his longer hair on top, his sides were shaved. He seemed troubled. Even though he was only just laughing with Marybeth, he seemed as though the weight of the world was on his shoulders. Speaking of his well-defined shoulders, they were slumped slightly. His eyes met mine, but moved away quickly. It was then I knew what was worrying him.

To put his burden at ease, I gave Caden’s hand a small squeeze before I let go and turned my whole body to Eli.

“Josie—”

He didn’t get to finish because in the next second, I threw my arms around his neck. He fell back a step. His arms went around my waist to steady us. With surprised eyes, he looked down at me. “Sweetheart?”

“Whatever you’re thinking, don’t.”

“But—”

“No. Yes, your words were...violent and frightening, but I know,”—I touched my chest—“I know deep in here that you would never hurt me. I know, Eli, you talk the talk and you may show it, you may beat a person up. But it wouldn’t be someone who didn’t deserve it. It wouldn’t be someone who hadn’t done wrong by you or your biker brothers. What you did, what you said was hard to hear, but no matter what, I know you are a good man. So don’t let your mind tell you that I think any differently of you. I don’t. You’re still my Eli.” I smiled.

He closed his eyes; however, before he did, I didn’t miss the softness of them. I didn’t miss the gratitude he felt from my words.

It was obvious he didn’t think of his next move.

His forehead came forward and touched mine. His hand came up and slid to the side of my neck. His other arm wound around my waist and he pulled me in close. So close the front of our bodies touched. All the while his eyes stayed closed and mine stayed opened, so I witnessed the panic hit him. His eyes flashed open and he stepped back.

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