I turn us, my cock still lodged inside of her because I’m not pulling out. I fucking refuse.
She snuggles back against my chest, and I wrap myself around her as much as I can. Her fingers make idle shapes on my hand and forearm, the contentment coming from her making me drowsy.
“It was nice having dinner with your family tonight,” she whispers the words like a confession.
“Our family,” I correct her, the words slurring slightly.
“What?” I don’t even have to see her to know that her eyebrows are furrowed in confusion.
“They’reourfamily,” I repeat. “Ourfamily now.”
Graycie stills in my arms for a moment before taking in a deep shuddering breath. “Our family,” she whispers right before her breathing evens out.
My hand drifts down to her belly and I can’t help but wonder what else ‘our family’ might mean and when. I’ve never wantedto roll that particular set of dice before, was never interested. Now all I can think about is a little girl with hazel eyes who looks at me like I can solve all her problems and trusts me to stand between her and the evil in the world.
It’s reckless.
The timing isn’t great considering that motherfucker is still out there, but I can’t find it in me to care.
Graycie is mine and I’ll tie her to me in all the ways I can. Then I’ll do whatever I need to do in order to keep my family safe.
Always.
CHAPTER 17
GRAYCIE
I’m tip toeing into the kitchen at the clubhouse even though it seems very silly for me to be doing such a thing. No one is up. It’s too damn early for any biker to be awake. But I stay quiet, just in case.
It’s not like I’m doing anything wrong, not really.
I’m just going to work.
Which is what I need to do.
For myself.
For my sanity.
I’ve been holed up here for days and I can’t take it anymore. Lara said it was more than fine for me to take a few days off. She said she had everything under control, but she hired me to take some of the pressure off her because she has Vanessa to take care of as well.
Right now, I’m not doing my job and I’m letting down someone who has become a friend. No, she’s family.
I can’t do it. I’m needed and it’s not here, not right now.
I’ve never known Sylvester to get up before he had to anyway.
When I step into the kitchen, I don’t bother looking around and head straight to the coffee pot. Instead of questioning why there’s coffee already brewed, I just send up a little thank you out into the universe that it’s here. Because I am going to need it.
I swear Turner takes pride in fucking me into a coma. I’m not complaining, but my body and mind are protesting right now.
Geez, I take a few days off and I’m already struggling to get up this early.
When I turn, Warden is sitting at one of the tables. I freeze and let out a little squeaking noise. My heart is racing in my chest as he raises his hands in a universal gesture of ‘I come in peace’. I can’t help but smile softly at the sheepish look on his face.
“What are you doing here, Warden?” There’s no accusation in my voice, but there might be more than a little suspicion.
He snorts out a laugh before taking a long sip of his cup of coffee. He watches me closely, as if he’s trying to figure something out, but it’s not malicious or creepy. Just caring in a way I wished my dad was.
