Page 44 of Exile & Lula
Nova laughed. “Too late. I made chili for dinner.”
Despite sharing her laughter, I hated how she had just been crying. “I promise I’ll be home in a few days, and I’ll be the one farting up the place.”
“I believe you,” Nova said, and I hoped she was telling the truth.
We talked for a few more minutes about how Zodiac used too many towels and tried feeding the dog leftover spaghetti. Once she finished complaining about him, Nova got off the phone so she could check her chili.
Sitting in the office, I soaked up the expensive vibe in this house. My place with Nova was slick. We spent a fortune turning the fixer-upper into a comfortable place. But Lula’s house was swanky.
I felt out of my league suddenly. Or maybe I was looking to create roadblocks with Lula since I felt guilty for bailing on Nova and the girls.
Returning to the family room, I overheard Lula snarling into her phone, “You tell the motherfucker to get off his ass and send the paperwork by the end of the day. If he doesn’t get it done, I’m sending my brother and his friends to that dumpy motel where your boss is shacked up with his ugly ass sister-in-law. Do you get me?”
Lula hung up and smiled at me. “How is Nova?”
“What was that about?”
“A local businessman suffering from small dick energy has been dodging me for days. He probably thought I’d let things slide after the attack, but I informed his receptionist that I’m still expecting his signature.”
Crossing my arms, I smiled at her smug expression. “I heard about your nickname.”
Lula’s grin widened. “When I first got called the Blair Witch, I was offended. She was a gross witch, right? But they meant I was relentless and broke people’s sanity. That part I liked since I was hounding the club’s enemies. Plus, I take on cases of abused women and kids. Pissing off their bullies makes my soul sing.”
I was soothed by the menace shining in Lula’s eyes. She wasn’t a rich, untouchable princess. Lula grew up in the biker lifestyle. The men she loved rode with a one percent club. She joined one herself and threatened Crimson Guard’s enemies in the same way I would if someone messed with the Black Rainbow.
Lula and I weren’t so different. This reality was another reason I hated the idea of ever leaving her side.
LULA
Exile’s demeanor changed after his call home. Despite his smiles, he was clearly rattled. Sad, even. I knew his sister missed him, but I wasn’t ready to let him go.
Straddling Exile on the couch, I tried to kiss away his worries.
“I’d rather my cock not be at full attention when your daughter gets home,” Exile murmured as his hands rested on my hips.
I kissed his throat and jaw before covering his lips. Our attraction made the world brighter. I felt stronger, and I needed to be at my best right now.
Despite how good Exile tasted, I climbed off his lap and gave his dick a sorrowful pat.
“We’ll pick this up later when Dillon is in bed and the house is locked down.”
Exile zeroed in on the danger part. “Are you scared of another attack?”
“Yes.”
“I never once noticed you scared today.”
“I was an emotional kid, and I would get teased for getting wound up over things. So, I used to practice faces in the mirror to learn how to hide my feelings.”
“Who the fuck teased you?”
“Just kids at school. I’d get wound up if I did poorly on a test or made mistakes. I saw how my dad and uncle would act cool, even when they were upset. I wanted to be like that, so I practiced. Now, I hide my feelings well, even if that makes me seem cold.”
Exile kissed my temple. “I don’t think you seem cold. More like, you’re in control at all times.”
I smiled at him and sighed at how unguarded he was right now. “Never forget it’s mostly an act. Last night, I couldn’t stop replaying what happened with Cher and Stevie or how I felt tied up.”
Losing his cool, Exile tensed and started looking around for threats. I kissed his jaw and brought his attention back to me.
