Page 46 of Undone

“Like we expected. Badly.”

“He’s worried about his woman. Some creeper was tailing her earlier this summer. We haven’t caught him yet, either.”

“Oh? Why the hell wasn’t I told about this sooner?”

“You know how he is… all secretive and shit, thinking he knows better than the both of us.”

“Christ, if I take Federico that leaves him with… Mac?”

“You should send a few pledges up north to help him out.”

“I will and a few men too. I know we need every man here ‘cause shit is blowing up on the southern border but the northern one is just as important. I’ll let him chew on this decision for a bit and leave Federico in Springdale as long as I can. But I need him as my VP.”

“Good move.”

“Are you talking to me or her?” I nodded my head as my girl sunk another shot.

“I’m pleading the fifth on that.” Shanna was narrowing her eyes at the both of us. “Whoever wins, one of us loses,” he muttered.

“Yup,” I agreed, finishing my drink. “I never knew my woman was so competitive.”

He turned to look at me. “I’m happy for you, Smith. You’ve been alone for too long.”

“I know. She’s damn good for me.”

“I can tell. Shit—your beard was so long, we had bets on what kinds of stuff was growing in it.”

“Fuck off,” I shoved him lightly.

“I know the weight of the Prez patch. If you ever need to talk… I’m here.”

“Thanks, bro. But I’m good. Go enjoy your white-picket fence and shit.”

“I will.” His eyes were hot as he glanced at Shanna circling the table while she eyed her next shot.

My own eyes found Luce’s. And I knew they burned just as hot as Duke’s when his landed on his woman.

Damn, I had it wrong all along. Finding a woman who makes you feel both sick and healed at the same time is everything. Thank God, I finally found mine.

Luce yawned, placing her head on my shoulder as I shot the shit with Teagan. He fought with me in Iraq and was the first man I handpicked to join Creed when I became Prez. I placed my beer down on the bar. My right-hand rubbed circles on my girl’s back. “You ready for bed sweetheart?”

She smiled sleepily.

I took her hand and led her down the back hall and up a private staircase leading to a row of bedrooms. I unlocked my door and switched on the light.

“You live here?”

“I do.” I slid the bolt across the door, unholstered my Glock and placed it on the night table. Luce looked around, unsure. I sat on the bed, taking off my boots. “It’s convenient. My office is downstairs. It’s secure. I never thought to get another place.” I shrugged.

She sat next to me on the bed. “It’s okay. I’d stay the night anywhere… as long as I was with you.” She linked our hands together.

I smiled, raising her hand to my lips. She wants me for me. Not my patch. Not for my fat bank account she doesn’t even know exists. “I feel the same. Come here.” I kissed her long and slow. I took my time as I eased her down on the bed and moved on top of her. We necked like two teens. Our hands roamed; learning the shape of one another—something we were always too much in a hurry to do before tonight.

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