Page 89 of Vicious Cycle
“If only he were an average Joe,” Paul muttered.
“But he’s not.”
“What have your friends said?”
“They think it’s a phase. Like I’m sowing some wild oats I’ve never done before.” Wrinkling my nose, I replied, “But that’s not me.” As I thought of my circle’s reaction, I thought of Callie. “Callie gets it, and she’s happy for me.”
Paul remained quiet for a moment. Although regret filled his eyes, Paul reached for my hand. “I can’t say I approve. Knowing what I do about him and his business, I don’t think I ever can.” When I started to argue, he shook his head. “But at the end of the day, you deserve to be happy, and if Deacon Malloy makes you happy, then I’m happy.”
My eyes bulged. “You are?”
He chuckled. “Well, as happy as I can be given you’re dating a biker.”
As I smacked his hand, I laughed. “What do you think Joy is going to say?”
Paul swept a hand over his face. “You know her. At first, she’ll be scandalized. She’ll worry about your reputation.”
I grimaced. “I imagined as much.”
He gave me a small smile. “But like me, she’ll come to realize that you’re an adult and you have to make your own choices. In the end, she just wants you to be happy.”
With tears shimmering in my eyes, I lunged over to hug him. “Thank you.”
“I don’t deserve any thanks.”
“Yes, you do.” I pulled away. “Thanks for always being there for me. And for Charlie.”
Paul swallowed hard. “I could never say no to your mother. I loved her too much.” He cupped my face in his hands. “Just like I love you.”
“And I love you.”
After we hugged again, Deacon appeared at the table. “Everything okay?”
“Everything is fine,” I replied, as I pulled away from Paul.
“I’d like to speak just to Deacon now,” Paul said.
I groaned. “Do you really think that’s necessary?”
“I do.”
After I rose out of my chair, Deacon eased down in it. “Leave us,” Deacon instructed. When I hesitated, he took my hand in his. After bringing it to his lips, he replied, “Go.”
On shaky legs, I made my way back to the hallway where Willow stood with Kim. Of course, Willow had a million questions for me, which answering helped distract me. Just when I thought my heart would explode out of my chest with worry, Deacon and Paul shook hands.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Kim muttered under her breath.
As I exhaled a ragged breath, I replied, “You can say that again.”
After their semi-truce, Deacon asked Paul to stay for dinner so he could introduce him to his family. I knew it was also a way for Deacon to show the human side of himself.
At dinner, Willow took an immediate liking to Uncle Paul, especially when he promised to take her to his cabin where she could fish and swim in the river. I thought Deacon would shoot down that offer, so I couldn’t help being surprised when he agreed that Willow could go for a visit.
Later when I questioned him about it, he said, “Your uncle is a former trooper. He knows how to use a gun, how to be aware of his surroundings, and how to protect those around him. Their cabin is in a gated community. Willow would be just as safe with him as she is with one of us. Besides, Sigel won’t be anticipating Paul.”
Yet days later, I still couldn’t help feeling a little apprehensive. I would have preferred to accompany her, but I couldn’t miss any more days away from school. But as always, Deacon was one step ahead of me to put my fears to rest. When Willow left the compound with Paul, Liz pulled out behind them going the opposite direction. Should Sigel have someone watching, they would have followed Liz, who had a prospect following behind her. Just two hours had passed since she left, but it felt like she had been gone much longer.
“What are you thinking about?” Deacon asked, his voice humming against my ear.
