His eyes flicker toward the direction of the bathroom. "Does she know that?"
Of course not. That sweet woman is too innocent to voice what she actually wants. Hell, no normal person would outright ask for the death of someone. They'd be as fucked up as we are.
"If she asks, I'll tell her. But as far as I'm concerned, she won't be thinking about the bastard. I'll keep her distracted." My smile is back as I finish up my last task. "Did Dante give the okay about the whole thing?"
Our president hates the opposing club as much as I do, if not more. He won't have any problem spilling blood as long as it doesn't affect business in any way.
He nods. "Said he'd send a message out about everyone keeping their eyes peeled for any of them sniffing around. If you're keeping her here, it should be fine. Probably shouldn't bring her to the casino again. Not until everything has calmed down."
"I'm not letting her out of my sight." The words come out harder than I meant them to. Possessive. I don't care. "She stays with me where I can protect her."
Hell, I don't think I'll be returning to the casino. In fact, I don't think I'll have the strength to leave my home very often unless I've got these ladies at my side.
Smoke is quiet for a long moment, thinking. I hate when he gets all broody on me, because he makes it impossible to read what he’s thinking.
His nose scrunches, and the best he does is shake his head. “You won’t chase after them if she wants to start somewhere new, right? From how it’s looking here, I’ve got a feeling I’m going to have to keep you from stalking after her.”
I’m notthatbad. Then again, I didn’t even think of that possibility. What'll happen once she doesn't need us anymore.
“Uh-huh, yeah. Sure.” Nodding and grinning, he curses under his breath before shoving his fingers through his hair.
When the time comes around when he’s in my shoes, then he’ll get it. Until then, I’ll accept whatever judgmental thoughts he has in his head.
“Don’t get yourself killed. Whatever happens, I’m your backup.” Using that older brother tone of his, he pins me down with that heavy blue gaze.
I don’t plan on dying. Not any time soon, anyway. Can’t leave either of those girls alone. Really, I’m the safest I’ve ever been.
Hearing the door open in the distance, I'm forced to cut the conversation short. I'd rather Penny not hear about club business, especially when she's already afraid of anyone who wears leather to begin with.
"Okay, you've got to go." Patting Smoke's shoulder, he swats my wet hands off of his cut before happily taking the excuse to get away from my love-sick behavior. I thank him for the clothes and start leading him to my front door. "No offense, but I'd like to have Penny to myself for the rest of the night. We can deal with the club's involvement tomorrow."
Despite being bigger than me, he moves easily. I don't miss the squinted look he gives me. "Don't do anything stupid."
"I won't do anything without telling you first." Giving him a grin, he takes the last few steps before he's standing outside of my apartment. "Are you going to survive without me for a couple of days while I figure things out?"
We've always been glued to the hip since we'd first met each other during our early years. Every time we've been separated, nothing good follows, hence why I'm always clinging to him.
He grunts, his response noncommittal. Maybe he's thinking the same thing I am. But he’s not the kind of guy to voice hisconcerns, so he just nods, giving me the best reassurance he can before trudging toward his home next door.
Twisting around, I find Penny with my shirt hanging down to her knees and her daughter in a nightgown that is just a little too big.
It's the kind of view I could get used to. Such a shame I can't stand around and enjoy it without making her shift or without my cock stirring to life. It's a miracle I haven't already made my attraction to her apparent because of how my body is responding to her, and I'd like to keep it that way.
Shutting the door behind me, I coast past them and try not to breathe in too deeply. Still, it's impossible not to notice my bodywash clinging to her.
"Let's get you in bed. We can figure everything else out in the morning." Encouraging her to follow, my smile softens when Leliah immediately snuggles into one of my pillows, yawning out.
Penny follows, her exhaustion winning over her hesitance. Once she's hugging the blanket to her chest, she blinks through her exhaustion. "Thank you, Ace."
The smile she gives me, despite being tired, forces me to cling to the doorframe.
Well, I guess Smoke is right to worry. I think if this woman doesn't want me, he's going to have to hold me back. If not, I'm going to follow this woman wherever she goes just to see her smile.
"Goodnight." Forcing the word out, I shut the door behind me before I try to hang around to make sure she can fall asleep.
Left with nowhere to crash but the couch, I can hope a night full of sleep will be enough to help clear up the fog filling my head. Otherwise, I think I'm going to be too gone to ever have the chance to be the man I was before Penny.
five
