“Caleb.”
“Shh…,” I gently shush her. “I didn’t tell you that you were loved to hear you reciprocate it out of duty. It wasn’t to put pressure on you. I just wanted you to know. I’m not going anywhere, baby. I love you and I’m not putting pressure on you. I don’t want the words back until you’re ready to give them to me freely.”
I hear her release a shaky breath. “You’re being awfully romantic and understanding for a badass biker who makes the world believe he has a chip on his shoulder,” she jokes.
I give a half-hearted laugh. “I don’t give a shit. You’re my old lady.”
“I’ll see you on Saturday, Candy-boy.”
“I can’t wait, baby. Call me when you get a chance.”
“That’s okay. I know you’re meeting with another club. I don’t want to bother you?—”
“Baby, you forgot the part where I said you were mine. You are never a bother. Call me anytime, okay? You will always come first.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I definitely am,” I answer at once.
“Okay, I’ll call. Goodnight, Caleb.”
“Goodnight, baby.”
She ends the call, and I just stare into space with a goofy smile on my face. She hasn’t said it out loud yet, but Izzy loves me. Finally, it feels like she may be tired of running away from me. Just the thought makes me breathe easier. I’m getting to her, and now that I know I am, I will do whatever I have to do, I want to make sure she knows she’s safe. She’s told me in some of our late-night conversations about the crap that her mother put up with. I won’t allow anything to touch her. I’m going to make sure she knows she will always be my number one priority.
Always.
19
A TRUE FAMILY AFFAIR
SAVAGE
It’s Friday morning and I have a hangover. The last thing I want to do is deal with this shit. I love being part of the Kings of Anarchy, but if you were to ask me what my version of hell would be, it would be having my club be allies with the RDMC. The Rapid Dogs is a club in Arkansas. My history with them sucks, but my president, Grifter, doesn’t have a clue about that. C wanted me to tell him, but I refused. Honestly, our club needs all the allies we can get. I hate RDMC’s president—Rogue. He’s an asshole who seriously needs to die. My reasons are personal. Before Rogue claimed his old lady, she was mine. Mara is the only woman I’ve ever loved. She threw me aside to be a president’s old lady. It gutted me—leaving holes I’m not sure will ever fully heal.
Our club is throwing a party tonight to celebrate the alliance. I know Mara will be here and I’m dreading it. I’ve got a friend coming to act as my old lady. It’s stupid, I know, but I need a buffer between me and Mara—even though it has been a year since I’ve said one word to her.
“Are you ready for the meeting with the officers of the RDMC?” C asks.
I grunt. I’m a man of few words. It’s not that I have trouble talking, I just don’t feel the need. My brain works better with silence. “I’ll be here, but I’m not sure why Grift can’t handle it. I hate doing shit like this.”
“Griff is taking Nana and Brushes out of town for the weekend. Brushes had some paintings in a gallery showing in Atlanta. It couldn’t be rescheduled.
I exhale loudly but nod my head in agreement.
C slaps me on the shoulder. “I know you’re upset because Rogue is going to be on club property and bringing his old lady, but you need to hold your shit together, brother.”
I grunt, although even that sounds strained. “I’m fine. Mara made her choice, and it wasn’t me. Bitch doesn’t bother me any longer.”
“I’ll believe that when you stop living like a monk. Remember, the best way to get over a woman is to get another one under you.”
I practically roll my eyes. “If you think it’s that easy, then why don’t you go find another woman to fuck and get the Devil’s Blaze princess out of your head?
“No fucking way, but Isolde is choosing me. I just need to be patient.”
I shake my head. “I actually have a woman coming tonight. I’m thinking about claiming her.”
“Holy shit, really? I didn’t even know you were seeing someone.”
