Page 41 of Jackal

“I’m not telling you what to do. I’m asking you to be smart and safe. We don’t know what’s happening with Butch. And in case you forgot, we were targeted just days ago. I won’t risk your safety and if that means pissing you off, then be mad.”

“You can’t keep me locked up here until you all figure outwhatever this little war is. I’m looking for jobs and places to live. I’m not part of this club, Jackal.”

My head tilted and by the rise of that brow even more, she didn’t like it. But I still said, “This isn’t some little war. It’s some serious shit. They tried to take your friend, and you got roped in. And you were with us Saturday. They probably know who you are and they’re not some idiot kids. These are bad guys with bad intentions, and they won’t think twice before hurting you to hurt me.” I dropped my head down and pressed my lips to hers before drawing back. Still just inches from her face, I said, “If anything happens to you, I’ll have to burn this whole fucking world down to make sure those responsible have met their destiny.”

Her breath hitched. “That’s intense.”

“I know. So you see why you have to stay put, or whatever you want to call it?”

“I meant how you feel,” she practically whispered as her eyes searched my face.

“I’m not sorry. I feel how I feel and I told you: I don’t play games. We’ll figure out how to handle it if you get one of those jobs. But for now, can you put off the house hunt?”

“I can’t stay with Mama Hen forever. I mean, she says I can stay however long I want, but that’s her house, and Penny is there. It’s weird.”

“So, stay here with me.” The thought of her being in my bed when I came in from a long night out made my cock twitch.

Her eyes became slits. “Did you just ask me to move in with you?”

“No, I said stay here with me.”

There went the eye roll again. “Semantics. That’s the same thing. I know I have no basis of comparison in my personal life, but I studied psychology. We’ve spent a total of sixteen hours alone. I think it’s a little soon to be picking out China patterns.”

Running my lips down her neck, then nibbling on her ear lobe,I whispered, “Woman, don’t overthink it. I’m just saying I want you in my bed.”

She giggled as my lips brushed her collarbone. “Okay, when you put it like that, I suppose it’s not terrible. But I’m not moving my stuff. And I’m not living here. I’m just sleeping over until I can find a place. Does that make me a nomad?”

“Something like that. You sure do pay attention to a lot.”

“I have a curious mind. Hence all the degrees.”

“Makes sense. But listen, I’ll share what I can, but there’s always gonna be things–”

“Things I can’t know. I got it. Trust me.” She sighed. “Lacy has repeatedly told me. But I’d also like to remind you that sometimes, trusting people, especially if it means keeping them safe, can be a good thing.”

Still pinning her arms, but threading my fingers into hers, I said, “How about this…you trust me to know that I’ll tell you what you need to know, and not tell you things to keep you safe. And you do the same.”

“Like, tell you if we may experience an Ebola outbreak?” she said with a laugh.

“I mean we trust each other to make the right decisions for the right reasons.”

“Deal. Let’s kiss on it.”

Even though so much shit was up in the air, and she was holding onto her non-committal stance, I still felt like something had been settled between us. A sense of relief washed over me, while giving me a renewed feeling of purpose. I wasn’t only living for the club now. I was living for her, too.

Chapter 23

Jackal

After spending a little more time in bed with Shivana, we made our way downstairs and grabbed some dinner. It was a smaller crowd since it was midweek, and it was hot as hell, so we ate inside.

Looking around, I was glad nobody but DE was there. I didn’t want to leave my little bird alone with strangers. Not until everyone knew she was mine. Even if she wasn’t my Old Lady yet, there was a code in this club. If you were a guest, those rules extended to you, even if your club didn’t run that way.

I made sure to stay close to her as a few more guys rolled in from their day jobs to unwind. The officers all stayed on site, but some members did as well. The other members still came to hang out regularly and check in. Although, if she did end up moving out, I’d ask Hawk about me living there with her.

She may have been comfortable hanging around, but she’dwant a place of her own and I understood. Living in the clubhouse wasn’t for everyone and I was surprised she hadn’t gotten tired of it already. But she did have a little escape at Cindy’s.

A wild idea popped in my head, but now wasn’t the time to entertain it. I’d tuck it away for later when I could give real thought to it. Looking over at my woman, smiling and enjoying herself, my chest swelled. Yep. I’d have to definitely put a pin in this but get back to it soon.

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