“No? you’re a damn fine artist, Luce. Please. I’ve really fucked up with her. I need to make it right—"
“Stealing her private work won’t do it. That’s a dumb idea.”
“Maybe. But I want to at least try. Please.”
“Fine. But I’m not stealing it. That’s all you.”
I shrug. “I’m good at stealing shit. Always was.”
“I heard.”
“Oh?”
“Smith might need you while you’re in town.”
“I can’t. I’m trying to turn my life around.”
“Away from the Club?”
“I hope not. But I can’t risk getting mixed up in any more bad shit. Luce—the things Smith did for you. To protect you. I was there. I saw it all. And now I get it. I understand how far a man will go for the special people in his life. Go home.”
“How far did he go?”
I shut my eyes, trying to block out the night I helped her husband protect her life by ending practically the entire Chapter of a rival MC’s. “You don’t want to know… don’t want that picture in your head Luce. But know it was as far as you can imagine he’d go and then some.”
She rubs her swollen belly. “I’m afraid. I’m not sure I want this life for our child.”
“No one said you had to. Make it what you want Luce. But MC or not, we’re all family forever.”
“I know. I want you to find what we all have. I’ll help you with Shiloh’s book if I can. But I don’t think we should steal it.”
“Photocopy?”
She snorts. “Fine. I’ll draw some rough sketches and get them to you by Christmas Eve.”
“That’s two days away.”
“I know.”
“Luce.”
She freezes not wanting to turn and face the fury of her six-foot five beast of a husband who let his beard and hair grow out again. The man looks insane. But the woman all go for it, I guess, judging by all the sweetbutts that were after him before Luce locked him down.
I move closer to her, cupping her elbow protectively. Smith’s eyes narrow noticing my movement.
“My wife, Darren.”
“She’s helping me…with my own woman problems.”
He ignores me, crosses his arms and stares down his wife. “You broke your vow. You promised to obey me.” He drawls.
“I did no such thing.”
“I was there. I head you say them.” She turns around, poking me in the chest.
“Traitor.”
“You can’t take off like that. Federico is on my shit-list.”