Page 120 of Property of Stone
She was trying not to panic.
She was trying not to worry.
But the truth was, when Vic was released, he would be out for blood.
She knew that because he had said so at his trial. That threat in front of the judge was one reason he got more time than Stone for practically the same offense.
While he wouldn’t know where she and Wren were currently living at first, it might not take long for him to find out. If her ex was determined to find them, he’d pull out all the stops to do so.
He might want to steal Wren simply for revenge sincedoing it legally might now be out of his reach with his aggravated assault conviction. Especially since he was violent in front of his own son.
Even so, she did not trust the legal system to protect them. She couldn’t count on the useless Protection From Abuse order. She also couldn’t risk the judge handing even partial custody back to Vic. In the end, she had to rely on her own decisions to protect both of them.
That meant she needed to dowhateverwas needed to keep them both safe. Right now, that meant staying where she was. Even if it wasn’t the most ideal situation.
Damn it.
She was stuck between a rock and a hard place. That “rock” being Stone.
She liked him. She really,reallydid. More than she ever thought she would. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t have been sharing more than the same roof.
That said, she didn’t like some of the things he did. What she knew of, anyway. Guaranteed, she didn’t know even a fraction of it.
He also wasn’t a great role model for Wren, even though that was supposed to be Vic’s job, not Stone’s. One that her ex failed miserably at.
Bottom line, if she was staying, she needed to accept the way Stone lived his life. The Kings clearly lived by a code, even though it might not be one she agreed with. The bikers were loyal, protective, and treated each other like family. Proof that some shiny spots could be found on that tarnished lifestyle if you looked closely enough.
In addition, she needed to appreciate everything he had done for her, when he didn’t have to, and stop freezing him out.
And if she had to admit it, she missed him sleeping next to her.
She missed the intimacy. Missed the way he curled around her at night, making her feel secure. And wanted. Something that had been missing in her life for the last few years.
She also missed the way he’d shoot her a random smile when she least expected it.
Since Sunday, their shared meals had been uncomfortable. Every time they sat down to eat, Taryn had concentrated on her food. In contrast, Stone stared across the table, focusing on her, even as he ate.
Of course, Sunny’s eyeballs were permanently glued to the cell phone Stone returned to her a few days ago, ignoring everyone else at the table, while Wren chatted away about everything and also nothing, clueless to the uncomfortable undertones at the table.
Tonight’s “family” dinner hadn’t been any different.
As she pushed away from the table to start clearing the dirty dishes, Sunny was out of her seat and ready to bolt.
Stone’s words stopped her dead in her tracks. “Clear the table before you go anywhere.”
“Dad,” she grumped, her expression holding a whole lot of unhappy.
“She made dinner, you ate it, you help clean up.”
She stared daggers at her father. “You first.”
Taryn pinned her lips together to keep her mouth from gaping open. Even though she worried about Stone and his brothers being a bad influence, maybe she should worry about his daughter, too. She didn’t want that bad attitude rubbing off on her normally happy boy.
A muscle ticked in Stone’s jaw. “Planned on it, but now you’re gonna do it all.”
Taryn stood in an attempt to defuse the situation. “It’s fine, I can?—”
Stone cut Taryn off. “Sit down. Let her clear the table.”
