Page 35 of Storm

“Some asshole was shootin’ at the place next door,” he says.

“Jesus. Thought we were under attack.”

“You’re safe, baby.”

“I know I am. With you.” He smiles at me, and it makes my heart flutter. I never thought about Storm like this. I lied when I said I didn’t remember him from when we were young. I do. He was always a lady’s man, even at his age. Hell, grown women would throw themselves at his feet at that point.

“Why are you out of bed?”

“I think I’m going home.”

“Like fuck you are. Get the clothes off and back in the bed, Kenzee.”

“Don’t you think we’re rushing this a little?”

“Is that what you think?” he asks me. I shrug my shoulders because I don’t know what I think anymore. He walks toward me, cups my cheek in his hand and grins at me.

“I’ll be honest here. I don’t really care what you think at this point. The deal is off. You’re here. I’m keepin’ you.”

“That’s way too much,” I tell him, trying to step back but he doesn’t let me. He keeps my face gripped in his hand so that I can’t go anywhere.

“No. That’s not enough. You’re pretty damn lucky that I haven’t claimed your ass yet in front of everyone.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Storm, don’t do that.”

“Keep you? Oh, I’m keepin’ you, Kenz. It’s just a matter of time until I announce that shit.”

“You barely know me.”

“And? That means shit. I know what I need to know.”

“Which is?”

“You’re happy with me. You feel safe with me. That’s all I needed to hear.”

Chapter 13

Storm

She’s been at the clubhouse with me, or I’ve been here and I can’t say that I don’t like that shit because I do. It took a bit for Kenz to feel comfortable with me being in her space, but now that I’ve been there, she seems fine with it.

The two of us have gotten closer, talking more, and I think I like that part the best. I like knowing all about Kenz and what she likes and doesn’t like. But I also know there’s still some fear in her, and that part pisses me off. I don’t want her afraid, but after what happened to her dad, I know that fear will always linger there until we get all of the motherfuckers that did this to him.

I hear sobbing when I stand from Kenzee’s bed and walk to the bathroom door. I knock lightly, and the sobbing quickly stops.

“Open the door,” I demand. At first, she doesn’t, but then slowly it opens, and I see her tearstained face. “What happened?”

“Nothing.”

“Kenz, don’t. What happened?”

“It would have been his birthday,” she says softly, and it all hits me. Her dad. It would have been his birthday today. I motion for her to come to me, and she does, wrapping her arms around my waist and nuzzling her face in my chest.

“He was a good man.”