Page 172 of Indecent Lies

Poppy was used to big gestures, asshole empty proposals on yachts no less from weak spined fools who had eyes on her daddy’s money rather than the goddess in front of them.

There was no time for him to hire a boat, but he could give her the grand gesture, the one that wouldmeansomething and not be empty promises.

He’d beg on his knees if that’s what got him his girl to believe he was hers.

“Showtime, sweetheart,” he murmured as he depressed the bell and squared his shoulders.

He might not be a Renegade Souls anymore, but he had thedon’t fuck with meattitude down pat.

No one inside the extravagant mansion who wanted to keep his balls intact better try and stop him from getting to his woman, he’d go to the mattresses to prove she was the one andhis. Bloodshed if necessary.

His everything.

Bought and paid for and now owner of one ex MC treasurer and goat dad.

THIRTY-NINE

“There’s love. Then there’s being loved by a biker.” - Poppy

Bored.

Poppy was bored out of her skull and still so very angry at her mom for the subterfuge to get her back on the estate in such a panic that her nerve endings were still jangling.

Only an Astor would lie about being dreadfully ill so they could manipulate someone into attending a charity gala.

Poppy was furious and nervous because she’d called Tait twenty-one times and he wasn’t answering.

Was he angry she left the way she had?

She didn’t want the stupid champagne her mom pushed into her hand during herfast recoveryfrom the life threatening illness.

She certainly didn’t want her dad orchestrating for Ronnie and his family to be here. She had the ring delivered express to him by UPS weeks ago and knew he’d received it because the notification alerted his signature. That meant there was nothing left to say to each other.

He’d tried talking to her…chastising herfor her foolery, more to the point.

An orchestrated party to reunite Poppy with her ex.

Yeah, she was not happy at all and was about to walk out and go home.

She was seeing her parents through altogether displeasing eyes when she’d told them no less than a million times in an hour how she was happy without Ronnie.

She’d fallen into her old patterns by allowing her mother to guilt talk her into wearing one of her designer dresses and then to attend the party.

She hated who she became around her mother, like she had no will of her own.

When all her heart and body wanted to do was go home to Tait.

But then a hush came over the party, the band went on playing, but people stopped talking and Poppy got a chill right down her back as she turned around and searched out why everyone was staring at the doorway.

Oh, her giddy lungs started to inflate wildly when she saw the reason.

Her heart trip-trapped harder and faster.

Her belly took a sudden dip and she felt lust body slam until she was achy between her legs.

She didn’t know why or how.

All she knew was Tait was here and he was here for her.

---