“Yup, you want to open the door?”
Something slides behind the door, then two seconds later she opens it. Layne looks at me with red-rimmed eyes. “Hey, girl.” I pull her against me. Then I take her inside and close the door behind us. I turn both multi-point locks and set the alarm. “There’s no one coming in here tonight.” The beep sounds to indicate the alarm is set.
“Are you sure?” She glances at Rebel, who’s asleep on the couch.
“A hundred percent.” I put my hand on her cheek and force her to look at me. “Nothing’s going to happen. Are you coming to the bedroom with me?”
Her doubt shows on her face, but eventually she reluctantly says “yes” and walks with me.
“I need to take a shower.” To wash Perez’s filthy mess off me, but I don’t tell her that. With wide eyes, she nods at me, but she remains motionless. I unclasp my watch and put it on my nightstand. Then I take off everything except my boxer briefs. “Be right back.”
I bolt into the bathroom and take the fastest shower of my life. Soon I’m back in the bedroom in clean boxers. Meanwhile, Layne has put on a pair of pajama pants and a top, and she’s about to crawl under my comforter. It’s been uncomfortable, and at the same time as it should’ve been. I lay on my side, under the blanket, watching her gaze at the ceiling.
“We could’ve died,” she blurts.
I hum a little, not even wanting to think about what could’ve happened to her. I avert my gaze from her before she notices what’s on my mind.
“Is he dead?”
This time, I shake my head. I hold my breath because I know it’s not what she expected.
“What, you said…” Her eyes turn to saucers as she turns to face me.
I run my hands through my hair. “I want this Vanderberg guy to know I’m coming.”
“What the fuck, Ky,” she screams, and she shoots upright in bed.
I quickly pull her close to me. “That guy shot at us, hit my ear. God knows what could’ve happened to you. He tried to kill a club member, which is perfect because now we’re not doing this by ourselves.” I say it like it’s the most normal thing.
“So now it’s club business?” She sniffs and a tear escapes.
“It already was. You’re one of us, Lay.” My thumb rubs her cheek. God, I can’t deal with her crying.
Layne shakes her head. “Why? I’ve been nothing for a long time—”
“Layne, your dad was VP before I was. You’ll always be family. Besides, everybody knows—”
“Don’t you dare,” she threatens, pointing at me. “I’m not yours.” It comes out in a growl while she pushes me away from her.
“That I love you,” I whisper, my gaze at the black comforter.
She hits her fist against my chest. “Fuck off. You can’t tell me…” Her sentence dies, and another tear slides down. “It isn’t fair.” She furiously swipes across her cheeks.
“Lay, I always loved you and you know it. There’s no one else for me. Never has been.” I wipe the tear away, but it’s to no avail,because the next one already drops. “Honey…” I tilt my head, trying to catch her gaze.
“He’s been dead for three fucking months and look at me. What the hell am I doing…” It sounds as if she’s talking to herself. Her hands push through her hair. “This is all so fucked up. My whole life… Rebel. What does…”
Suddenly she presses her lips to mine, as more tears fall. For a moment, I freeze, not knowing what to do. Layne’s crying. She’s confused. I can’t… I make myself close my eyes and then her lips mold to mine. Softly, I lick her bottom lip and she opens for me. As my tongue tangles with hers, I moan and it feels like my whole body can breathe again.
But a little voice is saying this isn’t right.
Thirteen
Home.
It feels like coming home. My hands trail over his chest, feeling the hard muscles under his skin. I tilt my head, open further to him, but suddenly he disengages. His breathing comes in irregular breaths and when his eyes find mine, they’re wide and wild.
“Layne,” he croaks. “This probably isn’t such a great idea.” His hand pushes through his dark-blond hair before he lowers his head.
