“Okay.”
“Yeah?” I want to make sure she’s good with this before I walk away.
“I don’t pretend to understand it all, but I get that you have a life in the club. I’ve got my own life too. We’re allowed to be our own people and have separate lives, Torque.”
“That’s true, baby. As long as we make time for us.”
“And we will.”
This was too fucking easy. I never met a woman who accepted my life as a one-percenter biker this quickly.
“The outlaw part, though. That’s what I’m not sure about.”
Yep. There it is.
“What do you want to know?”
“I don’t want to change you, Torque. You’re a good man. From what I’ve learned about you, you’re not someone who harms others without justification or goes after innocents. I don’t think you’re a killer, but if you are, it’s because someone did something horrible. Am I right?”
Fuck. I didn’t want to have this conversation yet, but it’s unavoidable now. “I have. Do you want to know the reason?”
She visibly swallows. “How many?”
“Two,” I reply firmly. “The first man raped a twelve-year-old girl from my neighborhood. The second shot my brother.”
She blinks, processing my words. “Do you plan to kill again?”
“No, but if I have to, I will.”
I give her time to let that sink in.
“Torque?”
“Yeah, sweetheart?”
“I still think you’re a good man.”
Fuck.That hits me right in the chest, directly in my heart. Her words warm something cold and dark in my chest after losing my mother and brother. She’s bringing me back to life, giving me more reason to wake up in the morning than just my club. I’m content with my life as a Viper, but now, with her, it’s so much fucking more. “Damn, Noelle. You just made me so fucking happy.”
She wraps her arms around my waist and rests her cheek against my chest. “I don’t believe a man who protects kids, his family, and his club can be a bad person. You’re the guy I want in my life, Torque.”
“And you have me.” I tilt her chin up because I’m greedy for the soft cushion of her lips and kiss her. It’s quick, but I’ll make up for it soon. “I’ll be back.” I hug her close against me, squeezing her before I release her.
“I’ll just be a good girl and wait,” she teases.
And I’ll reward her.
Smoke and Zoo turn my way when they see me walking toward them. I ignore Zoo, who looks ready to say something that will piss me off. His smile broadens.
“Don’t,” I warn him.
Honestly, I’m surprised Zoo is sober, but he’s been trying to get his shit together. Storm had a long talk with him over the summer.
Smoke shakes his head. “Enough. I spoke to Storm.”
Zoo’s humor vanishes. “What did he say? Did he find out who shot him?”
That’s what I want to know.
