Seeing him and knowing that he’s okay with the plan will make everything easier for me.
“Yeah, baby. Let’s go see Cash. Then I’ll put a smile on your face before everything changes?”
His hair is tied back behind his head, a single dark blond piece falling in front of his face, and I push it back. The small act of affection makes me smile. It’s so simple, but I’ve wanted to do it so many times, yet I’d never been able to.
“Okay,” I reply softly.
“Dread and Prez are really gone?”
“Yeah, they’ve had this pool tournament on the books in Georgia for a while now, but the alarm is set for the doors.”
“Alright, window it is, then.” He grabs my hand and pulls me up. I destroyed the room with my frantic packing, and it makes me grimace. Axel grabs my chin and places a tender kiss against my lips. “I’ve got you, always,” he promises, and the fist-clenching around my heart loosens its grip.
He helps me out the window and takes me a very odd route to the clubhouse; I suspect, to avoid club cameras. It’s so early that no one else is up, we’re still desperately trying to be quiet aswe tip-toe to Cash’s room. His room isn’t locked when Axel turns the doorknob and lets me in.
“I’ll give you two a few minutes,” he says, kissing my hair, and I’m grateful for his understanding.
I climb into Cash’s bed and place my hand against his cheek; he wakes slowly, and I’m glad I didn’t scare the shit out of him. His eyes blink awake and his hand shoots out to grip my hip. Winnie is sleeping on his other side, and I have to really control myself to not scoop her up for a cuddle right now. I might be slightly jealous that she’s gotten so much more time to bond with Cash rather than with me, but hopefully, that’s about to change.
“Lily? What are you doing here?” he rasps.
“If I wanted to leave tonight, would you come with me?” I ask sheepishly, fear of his rejection making the words taste like ash.
“Of course, I would. Did something happen?”
I don’t want to talk about it, so I just nod my head and rub my thumb over his cheekbone.
“I’m still scared, but I know it’s the right thing to do. It’s what I need to do. I choose me, and I choose you and Axel,” I tell him, not mentioning Tate. I wish I could speak to him too.
“I choose you too,” he promises, leaning down and giving me a kiss. “I know you wanted to take things slower, that you weren’t ready. Running away doesn’t mean we have to bond, I’ll wait however long you want,” he vows, and the floodgates swing wide fucking open. He wraps me up in his massive arms and tugs me against his large chest. I feel safe in Cash’s arms. Safer than I did when I saw that beautiful pink bedroom for the first time. Liv’s words ring in my head, and my spine steels itself.
I can do this, with Cash’s strength, I can fucking do this.
“I don’t want to wait. I think I’ve romanticized bonding, while at the same time being absolutely terrified of what it would mean… that there would be a possibility I could bond with the wrong person. But when I look at you, when you touch me, I feelcherished and safe. I’m not going to let my self-doubt ruin what I know deep down is the real deal,” I whisper. He pulls back so he can cradle my face as he looks at me.
“I’ll always put you first and keep you safe, baby girl.”
I nuzzle close to him, his scent soothing me as his chest rumbles with a calming purr. It’s then that I remember what I truly came here to talk about.
“Axel wants to take me away for a few hours. Do you think you could handle packing up your stuff? Mine’s already packed and in my room.” He blinks at me, and I’m afraid he’s going to say no, that we’re stupid to waste time. “If not, it’s no big deal. We can get out of here, and Axel and I can do whatever it is he has planned at a later time.”
“It’s going to take a few hours for me to get things together anyway, and I need to check in with Tate.” He looks over my face as he says it, and I wonder what he sees there. Pain, longing for a hurt man I don’t understand? Whatever he sees makes him kiss my forehead. “He’s not at the compound, and I don’t see him coming back anytime soon. If you see him in a similar light as you see me, tell him.”
I pull back and look at the large Alpha I can’t wait to call mine. I assumed all of them would be extremely possessive and only want their own time with me, but his assuring me about Tate… is selfless and kind. It just proves that I should bond with him and that Cash will always put me first. I’m not sure I deserve his devotion, but I’m going to take it. I deserve good things too.
“I will,” I whisper.
“I know you will. You’re my brave, strong girl,” he compliments, and I blush. I wrap my arms around him tightly. His scent is going to be deliciously embedded in my clothes for the rest of the day, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Thank you, Cash,” I sigh against his skin, pulling back to kiss his soft lips.
“Go, have your day with Axel. Clear your head. I’ll take care of everything here.”
“Call us if anything happens?” I ask him, and he nods his head in agreement. We both get up so he can get everything together. He gives me one last warm hug before I leave the room and find Axel smiling at me.
It’s shocking to see because I feel like my Beta might have the hardest time sharing me, but as I take his hand in mine and we head towards the garage, I can’t help but feel like it’s the first day of the rest of my life.
“Areyou sure we should be leaving right now? We should help Cash get everything together. I should say goodbye to Shelby… my brother,” she rambles, and I squeeze her hand.
