Page 66 of Salvation

“And… my old man,” she said, rolling her tongue in front of her teeth and under her upper lip.

“Yourold man?” John spluttered.

“That’s biker talk for husband, just in case that wasn’t clear.” I grinned, unfolding my arms and leaning slightly back on the table.

“Him?!” He spluttered, ignoring me completely. “Lisa, can I speak to you a moment in private?”

“Nope,” I said, my grin widening.

“Lisa, please.”

“It’s for the best if you don’t,” Rachel said. “Everything he said is true. He’s Axel’s dad, and I am his old lady. I’m not going to tell you a different story in private. So, is there anything I need to sign to make this official? I’d like to get home to the kids.”

“Kids? Plural? I thought you only had your little boy.”

“Things are complicated, and not really any of your business,” Rachel said. “I just want to hand in my notice and leave.”

“I can’t let you leave with him,” John said, surprising me. I had expected him to back down more or less straight away. There was no stopping us from leaving, regardless of what he tried, but it was cute that he thought he could.

“I’m worried about you. Is this all your own choice? Because you don’t look happy about this.”

“I’m not happy because this is an awkward situation. I’m happy with Dante, and we’re back together through my own choice. Honestly, John, the best thing you can do right now is stay out of this.”

“Is he who you were running from?”

“Excuse me?” Rachel muttered, her fists clenching.

“Oh, come on. When you first arrived here, you had nothing. No ID, no money, nothing. You were terrified of being caught by someone. Do you think I’ve forgotten?”

“Fine,” Rachel snapped. “Yes. I was running from him. Do you want to know why? Dante is the president of the motorcycle club, The Devil’s Disciples. And I ran off with his son. My name is not Lisa, it’s Rachel. And the last person who interfered with my leaving ended up with a bullet in her head. So I promise you, John, the best thing you can do is let me hand in my notice and forget I was ever here.”

John looked at me, and I shot him another easy smile. For some reason, that seemed to make him even more nervous, and he looked away quickly.

“You don’t have to accept this. We can ring the police. They can help. Just say the word, and I’ll have him escorted from the building.”

I laughed out loud at that. John threw me a nasty look in response. “You know how I feel about you, Lisa—”

“Rachel,” I interrupted.

“Right. Rachel. It doesn’t matter what’s happened in the past. I can accept anything. I’ll keep you safe. Just say the word and I’ll ring the police. We’ll get Axel, and we’ll go far away from here. If you’re not happy, just give me a sign and I’ll help you.”

“I think she’s said all that needs to be said,” I murmured, pushing myself off the table and walking over to Rachel, draping my arm over her shoulders. She moved closer to me, putting her arm around my waist.

Don’t read anything into this, Dante. She’s doing it because of the contract. Don’t allow yourself to fall for her again.

It was easier said than done when her body was pressed against mine, her head under my chin, the scent of her shampoo invading my senses. It took every ounce of restraint I had not to bury my nose in her hair and lose myself in her.

“Wait for me outside,” I said quietly.

“Dante,” she said, pushing slightly away from me so she could look up at my face.

“I’m not going to hurt him,” I promised. “I just want to have a talk, man to man.”

Rachel looked at me for a long moment before she nodded and walked out of the room without a backwards glance.

And then it was just me and John.

“Look,” I began when I heard the click of the door. “I know what you’re thinking—”

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