"Cash wants you to fight him for Mercy," I explain, my hand sliding down to his chest. "He knows he'll win. He's paying off judges to rule in his favor."
Legion's jaw clenches, but his eyes soften as my fingers trace the outline of his scar.
"Let Cash think he won," I whisper, my hand drifting lower, over his ribs. "Let Mercy get all the perks of being part of the Ashby dynasty. Let her go to Rimrock and get a first-class education. Let her keep the puppy, and the pony, and the clothes."
My fingers tease at the waistband of his jeans.
"Let someone else take care of her, you mean?" Legion asks, his voice sharp despite the way his body responds to my touch.
I don't say what we're both thinking—that he's always let other people take care of Mercy. I don't have to. The truth hangs between us, unspoken but also undeniable.
Legion's shoulders slump slightly. "I've never been there for Mercy. Or for Destiny. But I'm back now."
"I know you are." I step closer, pressing myself against him. "But being back doesn't mean you have to fight every battle the hard way."
His hands find my waist, grip tightening. "You're saying I should just give up. Let Cash win."
"I'm saying pick your battles." I tilt my head back to meet his eyes. "You can't win this one, Legion. Not through the courts. Not with your record and your... lifestyle."
"My lifestyle." He says it flat, emotionless.
My heart aches for him. Legion isn’t a demon. He’s not. He’s a good man. He tries hard. And he’s loyal as fuck. I place my hands on his face, pull his gaze down to mine. Make him look me in the eyes.
“In the flesh, Legion Kane, you are perfect just the way you are. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
He rolls his eyes at me. “But…”
“But… on paper, you’re Demon, member of one Badlands MC. Ex-con. Felon. And the courts, Legion, that’s all they see. That’s all they’ll ever see.”
"Right. Because I'm trash." His grip loosens. "Trailer trash with prison ink."
"Don’t put words in my mouth. I chose you. I got your name tattooed on my wrist. I let you claim me in front of your entire club. I'm just tryin’ to figure out how we survive this without losing everything that matters."
Legion's jaw works. He's angry, but not at me. Not really.
"Let her live here. Let Cash spoil her. She’s never gonna love him. Like him, maybe. But he’s not you, Legion. And you’re the one she loves. You’re the one she’ll fight for. Let her stay. Let her go to school at Rimrock. And then… you’ll feel like you belong.”
He side-eyes me. “Like I belong… where?”
“Here.” I point to the ground. “With me. And Mercy.”
He looks off into the distance for a moment, thinking. I give him time. It’s a good two minutes before he finds my gaze again. “What about work?”
“Work?” And again, I am reminded that I don’t actually know what he does for work. “Well… yeah. You can work. Of course. You could help me.”
“Help you do what, Savannah?” For a moment, I think he’s angry. But then, he picks up my hand and kisses my knuckles. Eyes locked on mine. “Is making you scream my name while I fuck you blind something I can apply for?”
I chuckle. “It goes without sayin’ that’s your number one job here. But seriously, Legion. There’s lots of things you could do on the ranch.”
His eyes narrow at me. “Like what?”
“Like… ranch handin’. We could do it together. I like ranch handin’. Or… business stuff. That’s mostly what I do. Social media, stuff like that.” Sensing this is not the answer he was lookin’ for, I improvise. “Or… rebuild cars. Bikes. Do you do stuff like that? I feel like your clothes often have the scent of cars on them. Is that your job at the club? Do you work with Ratchet? Speaking of the club, June has called several times over the past two weeks asking about you. I think we’re friends now. How do you like that? I’ve got myself a biker-woman friend.”
He smiles. Kisses my knuckles again. Squeezes my hand. “I love you, Savannah. You’re all I’ve ever wanted.”
“And you’re all I’ve ever wanted too.” My heart swells with warmth and I let out a breath.
This might work.
We gather our stuff up and walk back to the Jeep.
And I can’t remember a time when I felt this happy.
