Page 116 of Petty's Crime

“How did it go?”

“With Brit?”

When he gives a cautious nod, I know that he’s worried. He knows Thorne will no longer be a problem, and being that it was his life or his daughter’s, he had no difficulty with that. Not when he’d had such a close call with death himself.

“You’re still in one piece, I see,” he teases me.

I snort. “Last I saw, she was heading for the airport.”

Again his head dips up and down, and his exhaled breath now is one of relief. “So she’s got a choice.” He, too, has been briefed over the plans for the evening. “What if she does take the chance to get out of your life? Will you still go ahead?”

It’s my turn to nod, and I do so emphatically. “My only regret is that you won’t be there.” I’ve already arranged for Owl to come sit and keep him company. Meat will be FaceTiming so Rufus will see what’s going on.

“I worry she’s dangerous, son.”

He’d taken to calling me son ever since he’s been out of the hospital and seen RoseLyn and I together, and probably after Martina had brought him up to date with my intentions. It’s been a goddamn long time since anyone had claimed me in that way, and I have to admit, I’m fine with it.

Placing my hand over his, I reassure him, “I won’t allow anyone to hurt her.”

He might be weak, but I’ve no doubt he’d find some way to exact revenge on my body as he threatens, “She better not harm one hair on her head.”

I raise my chin to show I understand.

I leave him and go to speak to RoseLyn. “How was your rehearsal?” I know she’s enjoyed getting back with her band.

“Good. I’m still getting used to not having a Devil following me around.” She grins, then sobers. “How did Britney take that she’s not having your baby?” The revelation had come as a relief to us both.

I roll my eyes. “She’d had the shot. It was just one more way she was torturing me.”

RoseLyn gasps, then doesn’t hesitate, just throws her arms around me. “You can trust me,” she says, fervently. “I would never, ever, do anything like that.”

I know she wouldn’t. “You want kids?”

My out-of-the-blue question has shocked her. “Maybe, someday.” She shrugs. “When and if we’re ready.”

Whether we do or not is fine with me. Deep down, I’m shit scared that I could fuck up a kid like my father unwittingly fucked up me. Not that he wanted to or meant to. He didn’t expect to die before he saw me again.

Noting the time, I see she’s got a couple of hours before she has to leave. I pull her into my arms, and lower my mouth to her ear. “What about we get in some practice, just in case?”

“I like how you think.” Grinning, she grabs my hand and leads me straight into her room.

I’ll take my time with her later, make love to her in the way she deserves. But for now, I give her some biker loving in the time-honoured way, fast and furious after, of course, making sure she comes first.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-EIGHT

RoseLyn

“He does know he doesn’t have to do that anymore, doesn’t he?” Kylie asks as she re-enters my dressing room, carrying some stuff she’d left in her car.

It doesn’t take a genius to know she’s referring to Petty, who’s resumed his role waiting for me, standing in the corridor on sentry duty.

Since I’ve been back, when Petty’s come with me to the casino, which is more often than not, he’s been in the dressing room, watching with interest while Kylie transforms me or when he gets bored, sinking his nose into a book. I don’t enlighten my stylist that it’s because we’re expecting trouble today, in the form of an ex-wife who didn’t take a flight out from the airport.

Petty wants to be on guard and not get distracted. Even though the casino’s swarming with Devils, he’d rather be looking out for me himself. On my part, there’s no one I trust better.

I’m part excited and part full of dread about how the evening is going to play out. It’s supposed to be spontaneous, but we’ve rehearsed our roles. The only player who’s not had the chance to learn their part will be in the starring role.

I’m not convinced Britney will be stupid enough to turn up, but Petty seems pretty convinced that she will, that she’ll be unable to resist at the very least spoiling my special moment.

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