Page 194 of His Virgin Romance Series

“Chicago?” I couldn’t help but repeat.

“Yeah.”

“That’s across the country,” I pointed out.

“I’m aware,” I said. “I think a fresh start might do her some good. She can start somewhere new… meet some new people, get some distance from all this shit.”

I hesitated, unsure of what I should say here. My initial gut reaction was immediate and powerful. I hated the idea of Abby moving away. I hated the idea of having her live halfway across the country. I hated thinking of her meeting new people… namely men that she would potentially like, fall in love with, marry and have children with one day. It was inevitable, but I didn’t even like to think about it.

“Have you discussed this with her?” I asked.

“Not yet,” Devon admitted. “But I will. I can’t see her objecting to it. I mean, she doesn’t exactly have a home or a job here anymore, and I can’t picture her staying here after Black made her feel so unsafe in this town.”

“We’re here,” I reminded him.

“But we won’t be able to watch her twenty-four seven,” I said. “Not that we would even need to if we take care of the Black problem… but—”

“But what?”

“But if he is connected to the Knights, then we’re not going to be able to take out the whole group,” Devon pointed out. “She might just feel uneasy staying in this town knowing that the club responsible for her fear and panic are still out and about.”

I knew Devon had a point, but I hated admitting that, even to myself. I understood why he was here telling me all this. He was trying to let me know that whatever my relationship with Abby was, it would end as soon as Black was found. He was telling me not to hold her back because I wouldn’t be able to give her the future she needed or wanted. He was telling me to watch myself because it would only be worse if it I didn’t.

“Yeah,” I nodded as I stood up. “You’re right. A fresh start is the best option for her.”

Devon seemed content to hear me say that. I left him in the living room and headed to my room. I wanted to get out for a ride and perhaps clear my head a little. My jacket was in my room, and on my way to retrieve it, I paused outside Abby’s door. I could hear her humming slightly, and I couldn’t help but push my ear against her door and listen in.

Before I could stop myself, I had knocked on her door. She opened it almost immediately, and her face lit up into a beautiful smile that had me staring at her.

“Hi.”

“Hi,” I replied. “Busy?”

“No,” Abby shook her head. “Come in.”

I walked in, and she shut the door. “I came to see how you were doing… but apparently you’re pretty happy with yourself.”

She smirked at me. “I’m not happy… exactly.”

“Fuck that,” I laughed. “Look at your face.”

“What do you mean?” Abby asked self-consciously.

“You’re practically grinning from ear to ear,” I pointed out. “I thought you felt guilty.”

“I did,” Abby nodded. “For the first five minutes.”

I laughed out loud, and Abby followed suit. “No, no,” she said quickly. “I do feel guilty—a little. But let’s be clear: he was the one who attacked me from the back.”

“Hey, I’m totally with you,” I said. “He had it coming.”

“I didn’t say that,” Abby said, trying to backtrack a little. “He didn’t deserve to have his nose broken—”

“I thought it was an improvement.”

“But I did for a second think it was Walter.”

“You thought Walter had managed to get into our clubhouse to attack you?”

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