Page 27 of Link's Property
“You don’t have anything to worry about, babe. I vowed to protect you and that’s a promise I intend to keep. Your heart is safe with me, understand?” She can trust that I won’t do anything to hurt her. I’m not like that dirty doctor who did her friend wrong. And I’m not going anywhere. This girl is mine for safe keeping. It might take me a moment to come to terms with the ramifications of the fact, the judgement, and the disgust people might have, but I’m not letting her go.
“I love you, Lincoln.”
My entire body feels the resonance of those words as a happiness blankets over me. It feels like my heart just expanded, doubling in size.
“Shit, baby, say it again.” I twist her in my arms so she’s straddling my lap and take her sweet cheeks within my palms. “I want to hear those words again.
“I love you, Officer Price.”
My eyes close as they cast their spell and I pull her to my lips, sealing those words between us, letting them roll through my veins and sink into my soul. She’s marked me for eternity. My sweet obsession has just made me feel like I’m the most powerful man to ever walk the earth.
“Can’t put into words what I feel for you, Shay. You’ve got me so deep, baby.”
Deeper than I ever knew possible. If anyone should be afraid, it’s me. Because if this girl up and decides I’m too old for her or too onery or too savage, I’ll be a broken man.
13
Shayna
Ever since our night in the back of his truck, there’s been a shift. Link’s been soft and sweet, complimenting me every day, making sure I’m always smiling. Before, he used to come into the common room and sit off in the corner. Now, he sits at the bar and talks to me. He’s told me all about his life growing up, about his family and what it was like being on the force. He’s shared so many things, and I feel like I now understand why he is the way he is. Even the guys have noticed a change in him. They’re starting to wonder why he’s not being a grumpy ass anymore. But I think they’re catching onto the reason.
We haven’t officially come forward with our relationship yet, but I think they have their suspicions. Link’s been caught a few times sneaking into my room after dark. My night stalker coming to have his wicked way with me before he slips out, leaving me in a dreamlike state. He told them he was checkingon me because I’d been having nightmares, but there ain’t a single man in this place that believes that.
“I’ve been looking for you.” His deep voice hits my ear, causing the heat to stir in my gut. I place the bottle of liquor on the shelf so it doesn’t slip from my hands. “Just got word from King that we’re heading out tomorrow to go east for a few weeks.”
I turn to face him and my good mood sinks right to the pit of my stomach. “Do you have to go?” The last time they left, bad things happened and it terrifies me.
“Yeah,” he sighs, brushing the hair off my shoulder. “There’s some shit going down and it involves some dirty cops. Since I know how the law operates, it will be good for me to be there to help out.”
“You’ll be safe, right?”
“Always. You don’t have to worry about me. But I am definitely worried about you. Are you going to behave while I’m gone?”
If he’s worried that I’ll find myself in the arms of another man, he has nothing to worry about. My heart is his sole property.
“I would never betray you, Link.”
“That’s not what I mean, babe. I don’t want you playing with that pussy while I’m gone. The only time you can touch yourself is when I call, understood?”
“Then you better call me every day.”
“I plan on calling you morning, noon, and night, baby doll. I won’t deprive my girl, not unless you cross me.”
“I’m already getting hot just thinking about it.”
He moves in, pressing me up against the shelf and then the door opens.
“Yo, Shay!” Link pulls away right as Dagger comes barging into the stockroom. “Have you seen my sister?” He looks fromLink to me, and I can see the smirk forming on his lips. I think he knows exactly what’s going on inside this room.
“Sorry, I haven’t seen her. But I’ve been taking inventory for the last hour.”
“I swear she lives to drive me crazy. If you see her, tell her to come find me. I have a bone to pick with that girl.”
“You may want to check the garage,” Link states. “That’s where Rogue is.”
Dagger’s shoulders instantly turn stiff while his nostrils flare with that same frustration. I don’t think he likes his sister’s fascination with the wild one of the club. I just think she finds Rogue to be a kindred spirit. Both are not much for words and angry at the entire world. Without saying another word, Dagger storms out of the room on the hunt for his stepsister.
“Do you think he knows?” Link asks, moving back in, reclaiming his spot against my body.
