My gut tightened. I had a feeling she was ready. Tonight could be the first step to unraveling her secrets.
“I’ll bring dinner.”
“Okay.” She got out and closed the door, my name on her lips as she did. “Menace?”
I leaned across the seat, breathless and breaking. “Yeah?”
“Thank you.” Two words, and they came closer to destroying me than anything in my thirty-seven years.
I watched her until the apartment door closed. Until I was sure she was safe. Until I was ready to take a deep breath.
The drive to the dealership was a blur of uncertainty. Too many thoughts tangled up in the things left unsaid. Too many things I wanted to do to her.
I pulled into the lot, adrenaline surging when I should have been running calm and steady. The mundane rhythm of business couldn’t distract me. Nothing could, now that I’d committed.
Once I hit my office door, I fell into the rhythm of work. Inventories and payroll, parts orders and tariffs. There was enough business chaos to fill the room. I was thankful I had good peopleto keep this place running like a well-oiled machine. My general manager was at my door several times.
“Glad to see you boss man. Even happier, Alpha has his Luna back by his side. Lydia says she’s the first one to help when any of the women in the pack have a problem. She’s something else.”
My heart swelled, knowing I was a part of bringing Juliet home. “Thanks Ed. We were sure relieved to find and bring her and Sawyer out of that situation. Juliet has been a pillar of strength that’s for sure.”
He cleared his throat, remembering that Juliet wasn’t the only woman rescued. “Oh hell, that’s right. How is Sawyer?”
I smiled. “She’s gonna be fine. Matter of fact, I think she’s gonna be the new elementary school music teacher.”
“I’ll be damned. That’s fantastic news, man. Love to hear it.”
The ringing of my phone chased Ed back to his office. And put me on high alert. It seems it’s time we handled up on the business of Skeeter and whatever the hell is happening with the money at the motorcycle shop. Tonight, Sawyer. Tomorrow Skeeter.
Chapter 5
Sawyer
Sunset painted the walls in strips of rust and crimson, a reminder of the hours I had left to tell him the truth. Shadows moved with me as I paced, frantic, with the impending confession burning a hole in my throat. Menace. He would never forgive me for hiding something like this. He would hate me as soon as I revealed who I was. My restless eyes landed on the door. I wanted to run again, but there was nowhere else to go.
My stomach growled. I hadn’t been able to eat anything after breakfast. The excitement of the opportunity of being able to teach. The thing I’d wanted to do all my life and thought I’d never be allowed to and the impending doom of my confession kept me from eating. Menace said he’d bring dinner. I had to try to eat, or I’d be sick before I could tell him everything. My stomach clenched. He’d storm out the minute I said my real name. He’d walk away and leave me to a life of exile. My heart slammed against my chest. Every moment I lingered here put him and his pack in more danger. The afternoon sun turned a darker red, blood pooling beneath my feet.
A knock. The sound split through my head. I froze, imagining him on the other side of the door. Tall, imposing, the hard glint of his eyes. He’d hate me. Throw me out. Abandon me to the fates. I’d rather die than see him walk away. Tears burned. Breathshallow. Maybe if I hid here, he would give up, leave before I had to explain. God, how ridiculous was I?
My hand was on the doorknob, pulling it open before my heart made the choice. He stood like an omen on my doorstep, large and shadowed. His tee clung to his chest, and his leather cut showed the mark of his authority. I wanted to fall into his arms and forget who I was supposed to be. Wanted to dissolve into the strength of him until the rest of the world faded. But I couldn’t. I opened my mouth to speak, to say what? “Hi.”
Menace stepped inside, and the apartment shrank around me. As much as I ached to be near him, the reminder of how temporary this was gnawed at me. This would be the last night. I swallowed hard against the burn in my throat. It was a moment before I realized I was staring and that he hadn’t said a word.
He carried a bag from Ms. Pearl’s. He held it up for me to see. “I brought burgers. Best in town.” His smile almost relaxed me; it was so disarming. I tried to keep my hands from trembling as I took the bag and unpacked the burgers and fries onto paper plates.
He glanced at the food, then back at me. The dark shirt stretched across his shoulders in a way that left my pulse uneven. I thought of how hard it had been to resist him, knowing what we were to each other. Knowing I would have to leave.
“Sure smells good.”
We moved to the couch, his presence as much an accusation as an enticement. This shouldn’t feel awkward. He’s had his tongue down my throat, for Pete’s sake. But I was too afraid of the pain when I finally told him. I put space between us, praying he’d be as far away as possible when he looked at me like I was a traitor. We ate in silence, the rustle of wrappers unnaturally loud.
“Wine?” I asked, more to have something to do with my hands than because I thought he’d accept.
“You’re shaking, Sawyer.” His voice was deep, steady. I almost wanted to believe it held a hint of tenderness, but that wasn’t possible.
“Just a little bit cold,” I lied.
He leaned back against the couch. There was more distance between us than just space. “I can tell something’s bothering you.” He talked between bites.
