Cash grips my shoulder, giving it a shake. “He’s his own man, just like you. Let it roll off.”
He’s right. I nod, giving Storm an anxious look. I don’t have the time to dally today. I’m already running late.
“Church is dismissed. Get the fuck out of here,” Storm orders. His gaze fixes on me as I stand. “Blaze,” he growls, not releasing me yet.
“Yeah, Pres?” I ask, anxious as fuck to get out the door.
“I know what these last two years cost you. It didn’t escape my notice.”
I dip my chin, acknowledging his words.
“Not been easy for you, son, but things are about to change. Keep Letty safe. Whatever, however.”
Wow. I slap my hand over my chest. “Thank you, Pres.”
“You understand why I had to do it, right?”
His order. The one that kept me from the girl I loved for two fucking years. The agony of it burned in my gut.
“I see you, Blaze. I fucking know it hurt, but she was sixteen. Fuckingsixteen, and you were almost nineteen. Had to keep you clear of that shit.”
“I know.” I hated it. I would have been with her the whole time. Would that have placed her in additional danger? I can’t say. My protection never wavered. From the moment I left that wedding, I kept an eye on Letty. If I wasn’t around, I asked another prospect. She never went without me or one of my guys. No one fucked with my girl.
And no onefuckedmy girl. I made sure of that.
“I hear you, Pres.”
Cash sighs. “The shit with her mom and your dad, it had to stay clear from both of you. It was necessary.”
“Yeah.” They aren’t wrong, but I wish I could have explained before I walked away. I left Letty with vague comments and a promise she didn’t understand.
And then, this morning, our rival threatened Mifflin and his family. The Crimson Heretics felt cheated by Mifflin’s latest deal, pinching off a considerable percentage of their profits. Pissed, their president sent two of his men, who gunned down Mifflin’ssecretary and left him a package that included her severed hand and a warning: A photo of Cynthia and Letty splashed with blood.
How do we know?
Because Candy Cane, the stripper from Show’ N’ Tail, has a magical pussy that seems to keep Mifflin addicted. He likes to talk to her, thinking she keeps his secrets. She never has. Funny enough, Candy Cane has a thing for Storm. Whatever he wants, she does. Only with Storm, she knows better than ever to try to betray him.
The meeting taking place today is Mifflin trying to smooth shit over with the Heretics. Storm thinks he’ll try to make another deal, and we need to know what it is. I don’t think guns and a little cash will be enough this time.
So, here I stand, waiting for permission to go to my girl. Sure, a prospect arrived at the Summit Hill High stadium in case shit went down before I could arrive, but I fucking hated this separation. I served my time. Letty was eighteen now and no longer in high school. Legal, available, and allmine.
“Pres,” I plead, willing to get on my knees and beg if needed.
He ticks his chin toward the door. “Go. You keep me informed. Got it?”
“Yeah, Pres!” I shout, running out of the goddamn door like my ass is on fire.
Just the idea of being close to Letty again, speaking to her, and breathing the same fucking air pulses a need in me so fucking deep that I don’t know how I’ll stay in control once I have a chance to touch her. The ride on my Harley takes only fifteen minutes, but it’s way too fucking long.
Because of church, I almost miss her fucking graduation. By the time I park my bike and run toward the stage, I hear her name called. I arrive in time to see her step onto the platformin the sexiest ivory heels, relieved to confirm she’s alive, unharmed, and fucking beautiful as ever.
“Leticia Marie Jacobs.”
Letty glides across the stage with a smile so fucking huge I clutch my chest to ensure my heart still beats inside it. A few of her closest friends, including Ava Michaels, scream her name. I’m so fucking proud of my girl.
I wait at the bottom of the stairs, knowing she has to exit from where I stand. My hand reaches outward, palm side up, in expectation. She doesn’t see me at first, but when we touch, she fucking feels the connection. Her head snaps to the side, and her lips part. Shock flitters over her delicate features.
That’s right, baby. I’m back.
