Leaning toward her, being mindful her ribs don’t allow her to twist further, I seal the deal, not with words, but a kiss. “Now, go to sleep.”
It takes her a while, but eventually her breathing evens, and her body goes slack in my arms. But I can’t switch off, my mind’s racing.
What the fuck is daybreak going to bring? Will Trixie wake up in the cold light of day and change her mind? I’m asking her to take a leap of faith, to understand deep down I never wanted the real thing with Toni, even before she’d pulled that fuckin’ stunt with Ace. That instead, what I wanted was her.
Even if she wakes up and is willing to wear my patch, will my brothers free her from the agreement she’d made five years ago? And how many am I going to have to kill for their mockery? Me, Freak, taking an ex-club girl as my old lady.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
FREAK
Leaving Trixie with a kiss that proved I could make even an ex-club girl blush, and a rolling eyed Ace with a ruffle of his hair, I go first to Bullseye. There I prepare to make my first confession.
“You’re dicing with death asking for a meeting when I haven’t even had coffee let alone breakfast.” He glares at me from behind his desk.
I don’t want to deal with a hangry prez any longer than necessary, so I don’t make him wait. “Toni left still breathing.”
“So I’m aware. Winchester already told me.” He stands, walks to the window and stares out. “Been thinking whether I should demote you or take you patch altogether. You disobeyed an order, Freak.” Fuck, I hadn’t realised he’d take it so seriously. “You’re going to have to explain to the brothers why you’ve let a risk to our safety walk free. I’ll leave the decision to them.”
“I made her promise she’d let me know where she ends up. We can get the local Kings to keep an eye on her.”
He spins on his heels, turning to face me. “You might have minimised the risk, but didn’t erase it. And it all depends on her fulfilling that promise and not disappearing into the wind.”
“My bargaining chip was Ace. He’s her only family. While there’s to be no contact before he turns eighteen, after that it’s up to him.” I shrug. “If she wants to hear from him, she’s got to provide her contact details to me, and behave herself in the meantime.”
He stares as if looking down into my soul. A beat passes, then he shakes his head. “Up to you whether you can make that fly with the brothers. I’ll call church later and we’ll have a vote.”
A vote on my future. I hadn’t seen that coming. Which almost negates the second item on my agenda. If I’m out bad, I’ll have nothing to offer Trixie.
“You’re not removing yourself from my office,” he observes. “Whatever else you’ve got to say, spit it out. I need my coffee.”
Inwardly grimacing, I take a breath.Here it goes.“I’ve asked Trixie to be my ol’ lady.”
He stiffens, his eyes bore into me. He barks a laugh and wiggles his finger in his ear. “I seem to have a problem with my hearing. Could you fuckin’ repeat that?”
“I want Trixie as my ol’ lady.”
He snorts. “You going soft in your old age? Or did you fall and injure your head?”
“I’m completely sane,” I growl. “I said what I said. I need to have her released from her obligations as club property.”
“A whore?” he snorts. “Have you thought about…”
Slashing my hand through the air, I snarl, “I’ve thought about it. Nearly lost my chance as I almost fell into the trap of thinking I deserved better. Until my son pointed out I was as much of a whore as her.”
“Is it April Fool’s Day?”
“I’m deadly serious.” My tone leaves him in no doubt of my intentions.
He stares at me for a few seconds, then barks a laugh. “Church is sure going to be interesting.” He pauses, then asks, “Got anything else to lay on me?”
I shake my head, “No.”
“Then get the fuck out of here.”
I waste no time getting the fuck out. Knowing Bullseye will be heading straight for the kitchen, remembering there’s a kitchenette in the bunkhouse where I can at least make my own coffee, I return there. I start a pot, fill two cups, grab a soda for Ace, then, carefully navigating the stairs carrying two coffees with the can under my arm, I make my way up to Trixie’s room.
I knock, she opens the door. Her eyes gleam, and her hands make gimme gestures toward one of the cups that I’m holding. As I pass it across, she grins. “Is this the old lady treatment, Freak?”
