Page 62 of Undone

“You need to go babe. The party’s over.”

Her lips pursed. “Wasn’t it good, baby?”

“Yeah, really good. Now, scoot.” I plucked her coffee from her hands and stood.

“Prick,” she muttered, picking up her purse. But then she recovered. “Will I see you tonight?”

“No. The Clubhouse is closed until further notice. Only members will be allowed in.”

“Am I not a member?” she wriggled her brows, fingers trailing on the zipper of my cut. I gave her a silent stare. She got the hint and started walking toward the door. “Call me?” She asked, as I pushed the door open. I ignored her, slammed the door shut, and locked it as soon as her ass was past the threshold. Rolling my eyes, I turned finding my men watching with fuckin’ stupid-ass grins.

“What?”

“You have a special talent for ditching chicks. We’re taking notes.”

I flipped the room the bird and opened the trap door behind the bar where we kept our arsenal of weapons. It was time to get locked and loaded.

“Where are you going?” I walked straight past my men who started to gather inside for the planned raid at the port tonight.

“Out.” I simply muttered. Vasyl moved to shadow me. But I turned, getting in his face. “I’ll be back.”

“I can’t let you go unprotected.”

“For fuck’s sake. I’ll take Federico with me.”

He nodded and stood back as I opened the door. “Did you get it?”

“Here,” Federico handed me a key card.

“Tell Rosa, I owe her one.”

Federico has only been in Oakland a few weeks, but the ladies love him. He’s already making good connections that are helping the Club. This chick, Rosa, is one of them. She just happened to be the head of housekeeping at the hotel Luce slept the day away in. I just had to see her.

Even if she spits at me. Knowing she’s so close, but so far out of reach—was messing me up. And I needed a clear head tonight, when we make our first move against The Cartel and the Felons.

I decided to take my truck because the engine is quieter, and I could travel more inconspicuously.

I was outside her hotel door in under ten-minutes.

The curtains were drawn.

I held the keycard up and the light blinked green. I opened the door slowly. It took my eyes a few seconds to adjust to the darkened room, but there she was—my slumbering beauty.

A few locks of her honey colored hair fell across her tear-stained cheeks. She slept with a tissue in her hand. There was no doubt, she had cried herself to sleep.

I sat in the desk chair after moving it next to the bed. My finger traced the trail of her dried tears. “Christ, baby. I never meant to hurt you. You’re my whole world and I couldn’t risk them knowing,” I whispered, feeling my own tears threaten.

I never believed in love at first sight or any of that bullshit.

But something about this woman called to me, the second my eyes landed on her. It was a visceral reaction; a punch to the gut that was harder than any blow I’d ever taken.

I knew she felt it too and that the only way my Luce would let me go—is if I wounded her pride. The only thing that gave me comfort was imagining the hell she was gonna give me, when I try to steal her heart back.

I bent down kissing the top of her head. I squeezed my eyes shut, but it was no use. I felt the hot tear slip from me and fall into her hair.

“Smith…,” she whispered.

I held my breath, not knowing if she was awake or caught up in a dream. I carefully moved back from the bed and she stayed asleep.

“I’m so sorry I hurt you, baby. I know you don’t understand why I had to cut you cold. We were both being watched. If I broke-up with you in person— they’d know. I had to pretend you were nothing but a convenient hook-up. You see—only when you catch feelings do you need to explain yourself. Someday, if I make it through what’s ahead—I hope you’ll give me the chance to explain all this, babe. I still meant what I said. I see it all with you. Babies, picket-fences, rose gardens… growing old. But I need to clear the road first so we can get there. My life—the life I chose, isn’t an easy one. I never cared before, because I had nothing—no one to lose. I can’t lose you. I won’t have you getting hurt because of who I am. I love you, baby doll. Even though I’ll never show it until the day I come back for good. You carry all my love around you. Let it cloak you and keep you warm until I come back.” I bent down and kissed her head one last time, before gathering the bed cover and pulling it over her. “Sleep well, my love.”

I left as quietly as I came in. I took one last look at her laying there. I inhaled deep, letting the scent of her soft-skin and tousled hair fill my lungs, while hoping this moment would be enough to help me get through all the dark ones waiting ahead.

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