Page 10 of Chains
“You can sit if you want,” I offered, gesturing to the couch which had come with the apartment.I had mismatched pillows on each end and a blanket folded and draped over the back.All Halloween-themed, of course.“Unless you’re afraid Binx will follow you.”
A hint of a smile touched Chains’ lips.“I think he’s gonna follow me anyway.”It was only a small thing, but when his lips curled even that smallest bit, when his eyes crinkled ever so slightly at the corners, I knew I was in real trouble.Because this man was absolutelydevastating.
He lowered himself onto the couch slowly, his massive frame making the furniture look small.Binx immediately jumped up beside him, then boldly climbed onto his lap.Chains froze, hands hovering in the air as if he wasn’t sure what to do with them.
“He wants you to pet him,” I said, sitting in the armchair across from him.“If you dare.”
Chains shot me a look that might have been annoyance or amusement, I couldn’t tell.Slowly, as if approaching a wild animal, he lowered one hand to Binx’s back.The cat arched into his touch, purr intensifying.
I watched, transfixed, as Chains’ large, tattooed hand moved in slow, lazy strokes along Binx’s spine.His fingers were long, his touch gentler than I’d expected.A shiver ran through me as I imagined those same hands on my skin, tracing patterns, exploring with that same careful attention.
“Never had pets,” Chains said suddenly, breaking the silence.His eyes remained on Binx.
“Never?Not even as a kid?”
He shook his head.“Wasn’t allowed.Foster parents never had dogs ‘cause a couple of the boys livin’ there hurt the one they had before I came.”
“That’s sad,” I said.“Everyone should experience the love of an animal at least once.”
His lips twitched.“You call this love?Pretty sure your other cat wants to murder me in my sleep.”
I laughed.“Lucifer wants to murder everyone in their sleep.It’s part of his charm.”
“You realize cats don’t really like you?They tolerate you because you’re a sure source of food and shelter.And the occasional treat.”
“Isn’t that the way with people too?Quit puttin’ out and they bail.”Yeah.Not my best conversation.
Another silence fell between us, heavier than before.I studied him as he petted Binx, noting the tension in his shoulders despite his gentle touch on my pussy.I mean cat!“So,” I tried again.“How long have you been with the Kiss of Death?”
“‘Bout a year,” he replied, gaze still fixed on Binx.“Since I got out.”I knew what he meant, of course.Out of prison.It wasn’t a secret around here.
“Do you like it?Being part of the club, I mean.”
Chains finally looked up, his blue eyes meeting mine.“Yeah.Told you.They’re family.”
“That must be nice,” I said softly.“Having people who have your back no matter what.”
Something flickered across his face, too quick to catch.“You don’t have family?”
I shrugged, picking at a loose thread on my armchair.“My father’s alive, but we’re not close.Haven’t spoken in years.”This wasn’t something I wanted to talk about with a total stranger.In fact, the only other person in my life who knew what’d happened all those years ago was my grandmother, and she was dead.Anyone else who knew was only interested in small town scandals.
“His loss,” Chains said, so quietly I almost missed it.My heart stuttered.I wasn’t sure if he meant it, or was just being polite, but the words warmed me all the same.
“What about you?”I asked.“Any family besides the club?”
His hand stilled on Binx’s back.“No.”The single word carried weight, a door firmly closed.I nodded, not pushing further.
“Sorry,” I said.“I ask too many questions.It’s a habit.”
“‘S okay,” he murmured, resuming his petting.“Just not used to talking much with outsiders.”
“I’ve noticed,” I smiled.“But that’s okay.I can talk enough for both of us.”
A small smile curved his lips, transforming his face again.I wanted to see more of that smile.Why?I didn’t know.I just had the feeling this man hadn’t smiled nearly enough in his life.Despite my past, or maybe because of it, I knew bad men when I saw them.The pretty facade some of them used to mask their true nature never fooled me.Not after my childhood.This man was capable of violence when it suited him, but he wasn’t evil.And he wouldn’t hurt anyone or anything just because he could.
We sat in another stretch of silence, but this one felt different, more comfortable.Lucifer had retreated to a corner, still watching Chains with suspicious eyes.Salem had moved closer, now perched on the arm of the couch, though still maintaining a safe distance.
“They’re coming around,” I observed.“Salem doesn’t usually get this close to new people.”
