Page 27 of Roman

“You mean like dad?” she rolls her head to the side, looking up at me.

“Well, maybe. Yes, in a way. I made the decision to not tell him about you. Things may have gone differently had I, but we will never know. I don’t regret having you all to myself for the past thirteen years at all but maybe it would have been nice to have him around.” I watch as the tears start to dry on her cheeks.

“He pulled a gun on Tony.”

“Oh, I bet he did,” I say with no ounce of shock.

“The girls have told me about the club but I didn’t know that part of it.” Pushing up from the bed she swipes at her cheek to get one last droplet away. “Is my dad an outlaw?” such an innocent question.

“Well, he…” I drift off not sure on how to answer that one.

“I’m part of a club that will stop at nothing to keep his family safe. I would die for theirs and they would die for mine. Every damn time.” Roman steps into the room. “I reacted the way I did because there is still a threat out there against you, both of you, and there is nothing that I won’t do to keep you safe. You are mine and I will protect you with all I have,” he declares.

“Threat?” I reluctantly ask, feeling as though I already know what he is going to say.

“Mike survived. We sent someone there to find him but they didn’t make it. Mike sent a recording of his promise to get the two of you. That was right when you told me you couldn’t find Rhylee,” he shrugs, “I kind of lost it.”

“Rhylee, will you go downstairs for a little bit? I need to talk to Roman.” His eyes darken a little at my words but he doesn’t say anything to me.

“I’m sorry dad.” Rhylee stops to tell him. When he pulls her in and engulfs her in a hug, I can’t help the small string it tugs on my heart.

“I know you are.” He strokes her head then tips her chin up so she has to face him. “Rhy, don’t do it again.” His voice is stern and gains a sharp nod from our daughter before he lets her leave the room, promptly shutting the door behind her.

“Do not ever criticize my parenting,” I say pointing at the man. He doesn’t speak only starts to undress. First, his cut comes off then he pulls off his sweatshirt, then his tee shirt. “What are you doing?” his hands go to his jeans and pop the button open, then his zipper goes down so slowly. “Roman?” I ask again still not getting anything in return. Doesn’t matter though because as soon as he drops his last article of clothing to the floor my mouth goes dry and I can’t speak. Not even if I wanted to.

In an instant, my ankle is grabbed and I’m pulled down the length of the bed. He wastes no time shedding away all my clothes and not in the manner he took his own off. He is in a rush to get me naked and when he does, I’m covered in him. His body smooths over mine, his hips making their way between my legs. He doesn’t speak until we are both sweaty and spent on the covers. “What I said was shitty,” he admits.

“It was,” I agree.

“I need to tell her more about who I am.”

“Maybe not all of it. She is only thirteen,” I say rolling over to place my hand on his chest, drawing circles with my finger in the light dusting of hair.

“I guess I could leave out the bloody parts.”

“Idon’t even want to know about those.” I’m sure there are lots too. I kept to myself when it came to the club, I was, after all, just a bar owner and they were my customers. In being a bartender though, I overheard plenty of stories. Like the one about this clubhouse and how some traitors took part in burning it down and killing everyone who was here that day.

“No, you probably don’t babe.”

“Do you know where Mike is?”

Roman shakes his head. “Not a clue but he most likely will be coming this way soon. The man he killed had his cut on. It’s only a matter of time before Mike finds out where we are. We aren’t a huge club but if a person asks the right people, they can find us.”

“How did he not die? There was so much blood.” I shudder remembering the blood and the sheer panic holding that knife had me feeling.

“Lucky bastard is all I can come up with. He didn’t leave the apartment. He hid out there. That was my guess anyway. Which is why we sent someone there to check it out. Good guess with a shit outcome.” He takes my hand in his and turns his body to the side, facing me. “You need to stay in this clubhouse no matter what, do you hear me? Keep Rhy close. We don’t know where he is and chances are he will come to this place first. The first chance I get I’m packing the two of you up and taking you home. I just can’t do that knowing that fuck is out there somewhere. You gotta promise me Pria. Stay inside.”

“I promise Roman. We won’t leave.”

27

Roman

Taking a deep breath I step into the common room and find my daughter right where I figured she would be. She is huddled together with Rock’s daughters and a couple of other kids I don’t know. “Rhy, come here I need to talk to you.” Her head pops up at the sound of my voice and she beams a smile my way. A complete one-eighty from the glare she gave me yesterday when I yelled at her little ear piercing stunt.

“What is it?” she asks bounding up to me.

“Follow me.” I don’t wait for her to respond I just take off toward the front of the clubhouse and the double doors.

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