Page 19 of Ace

I could feel her stiffen up, start to withdraw from me and there was no fucking way I was going to let that happen.That was not only the best damn sex I’d ever had, but it made my fantasy pale in comparison.

I’d given her an out, asked her if she was sure and she’d said yes.She was mine now and there was no way I was going to let her go.I just had to deal with the little matter of the murder she’d seen in the park and then we could live happily ever after.Maybe have a kid or two or three.Fix up my house or buy a new one if she wanted something with a big backyard.You know, for the kids to play in or maybe host BBQs for the club.

I’d get her whatever she wanted.Hell, I’d get her the moon if she asked for it.

I just wouldn’t fucking let her leave.

“I have to run into town this afternoon.You can stay here with Jake and Mom.A couple of the prospects will be at the gate, and Joker will be here.Rattler and a couple of the other brothers are coming with me.”

“What if I don’t want to stay here?I’ve already missed a day’s pay, and I need some fresh clothes.”She glanced over at the pile of discarded clothes.“Your shirt doesn’t exactly fit me.”

“I thought it looked great.”I shifted so we were practically face to face.“I can send one of the prospects over to your place to get some of your things.Just make a list of what you want.”

“I want to go get my own clothes, and I want to go home.”

“No.”

She looked stunned.“No?Do you seriously expect to toss out orders and have me follow them?”

“Yes,” I replied calmly.“You came to me for protection, and that’s what you’re going to get.I can’t protect you if you’re not here, so no, you are not going home unless you’re prepared to have me and half a dozen of my brothers stay with you.”

“My place is not that big.”

Understatement of the year.Her place was a converted garage.Four hundred square feet max.Defense wise, it sucked.There were numerous ways for people to sneak up on it without detection.

“No, it’s smaller than a fucking walk-in closet, so staying here makes more sense.”

It did have off-street parking, but not much else to recommend it.I’d had one of the prospects check it out, and he’d managed to jimmy the locks and get inside in under five seconds.No way was I letting her go back to that death trap.

“But…”

“No buts.You stay here.”

So much for the warm fuzzy snuggling.Emma wrenched herself out of my arms and reached for her discarded clothing.She hesitated at putting my shirt back on, but unless she planned to parade around the clubhouse naked from the waist up, she didn’t have much choice.She turned to glare at me.“Fine.I want my own room.”

“No.”I managed not to chuckle at the mutinous set to her lips.

“Why not?”

“Because I’m not planning on fighting with one of my brothers over you, and if you have your own room, it’s as good as declaring you’re now fair game.”

“You’re saying I have to stay here, and I have to bunk with you?”

“Yes.”

“Fine!”

It didn’t sound fine, but I was willing to overlook that.

“Can I come with you to get some of my stuff?”

I considered saying no again, but I was smart enough not to push it too far.“Okay, but you need to do what I say.No questions.I’m not trying to be an ass but until we know exactly what we’re up against, I don’t want to take any chances.”

“Thank you.”

The meek answer had me giving her a sharp look, but she just smiled innocently.

I did not believe in innocent Emma.

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