Page 48 of Savage Hate
Lucky for me, Silas has given up the passenger seat, so I climb inside. Jude turns on his serial killer music, and within a few minutes, I pass out from exhaustion once again.
twenty-eight
Silas
We get back to Greythorn with half an hour to spare for Lennon’s condo viewing. The thought of her living alone, not living above Savage, makes my stomach sour. I like having her close, and I like knowing she’s safe. She doesn’t need to know that after the first night, back when I swore I hated her, I turned our front door camera to face her front door instead. If anyone attempts to get to her, I will know about it with an alarm on my phone.
Maybe it’s possessive, or maybe it’s just smart. She’s alone up there, and though Greythorn is usually safe, there is a growing list of people in this town that I don’t fucking trust.
We drop her off at her apartment and I offer to grab my car and pick her up so we can drive to the condo. That’s the other issue. This place is on the outskirts of town, a solid eight-minute drive or forty-minute walk. Lennon doesn’t have a car, and I don’t like the idea of her walking down single-lane roads by herself. She’d need a car as soon as possible, but knowing her, she will insist on walking everywhere to save on cash.
I know she’ll get suspicious if I start throwing even more money at her…
She’s hesitant to put down roots. Especially in the town that did her so dirty growing up. She resents Greythorn, and buying a car would be one more step in solidifying her suburb lifestyle. Like us, she hates the suburbs. I know it goes against everything we all stand for. Iknowthe longing she feels, the way the city makes her come alive. I know, because I’m the exact same way.
Which is why the guys and I have been talking about her moving in with us.
It’s quick, but it makes the most sense. I even have a spare car she can use. It’s not like my parents will be in any shape to drive anytime soon. We work together, and the house is big enough for her to feel like she has her own space. She wouldn’t need to pay me rent just yet, and she could decide whether or not she wants to stay in Greythorn without committing to a year-long lease.
I’m distractedly waiting outside of the shop in my car when Lennon hops into the passenger seat.
“Nice car,” she purrs, running her hand over the black leather seat.
She buckles herself in, and I let my eyes trail down her bare legs. She’s changed into a black tank top and black leather pleated skirt. She’s also wearing white converse, which makes my cock stir inside my pants.Something about a woman wearing a skirt and converse…It all accentuates her legs, which are golden and toned, with just enough flesh to grab onto. I shift in my seat to conceal my ever-growing erection.
“Thanks. It was a consolation prize for moving back to this dump.” I tap the steering wheel of my Porsche.
She tilts her head and turns to face me. “You hate it here,” she states. “Why stay?”
I shrug. “My parents were unwell, as you know. I had to get their estate in order, and I plan to list the house next year. I opened a shop here because we always talked about expanding, and the place–your mom’s building–is reasonably priced.”
“Who’s running the shop in Boston?” she asks, picking at her nails.
“Our apprentices. They worked under us for a year, and when I decided to move here, I didn’t expect Damon and Jude to follow me.”
“You guys are quite attached at the hip,” she jokes, and she has no idea just how right she is.
“It was always supposed to be a temporary move. Boston is where we love to be. We don’t need to have our parties there. We get fulfillment just by being around other creatives. It was only when we moved here that we felt… suffocated.”
She’s quiet for a few minutes. “Greythorn is nice, but I know what you mean. I’m shocked I made it out alive all those years ago.”
I smirk, reaching over and placing a hand on her bare knee. I love the sound that gets caught in her throat, and the sharp inhale when my skin makes contact with hers.
“Didn’t I tell you that you’re one of us? I should just start having you apprentice under me,” I add, the notion exciting me in more ways than one.
She makes a face and shakes her head. “I’m not good with needles. Besides, I want to open my own bakery one day.” The second the words are out, I can see the shock on her face. “I’ve never actually told anyone that before.” She turns to face me. “Not even Wright.”
I grip the steering wheel a bit harder with my free hand as her words sink in. “You should.”
She scoffs. “It’s not that easy.” When I sneak a peek at her, she’s looking out the window. I can see the wheels turning. I remove my hand from her knee because I know it’s distracting her, and I want to hear this. “It takes money, some sort of nest egg to buy everything I would need. Second, I’d need a space, and third, I’d need to be able to prove I could sustain the business. I’d need a solid business plan, otherwise I’d just be throwing money away.”
“That’s true. But there’s also the part about taking a chance before it’s too late.”
She turns to face me. “What do you mean?”
I smile. “I’m not saying you shouldn’t do all of that.” I turn into the condo complex and park. Turning to face her, I tilt my head. “I don’t think you need to wait until everything is perfect. Sometimes you need to make the leapdespitehaving all of your ducks in a row. You have a good product, yes?”
Her eyes widen. “Um–yes,” she answers.
