Page 35 of Zombie

My heart ached at his words. I wanted to tell him that I forgave him. That I wanted to start over. Deep in my being I believed everything he was saying. I could see it in his eyes and face that he was being sincere. But before I could answer, there was a commotion where Kade and Machine were talking.

Badger came running out of the bathroom, letting Kade know that Evelyn was in labor. Minutes later, Evelyn was getting carried out of the club as she cried out in pain from a contraction.

I watched as Dante followed the couple to the car, no doubt making sure she was alright.

Well, this night was certainly getting interesting.

After constantly looking at my phone for an update from Kade, I finally got a text.

Kade:

Evelyn and baby girl are doing great.

Following the text was a picture of an exhausted-looking Evelyn holding a tiny baby in a light-pink blanket.

I paraded around the room showing Jax, Evan, and Gwen the picture of the baby. I forwarded the text to Ollie, who couldn’t make it due to a family emergency. But being a mother herself, I knew she would love to see the baby as much as I had. When I was finally done freaking out over the little bundle of joy, Evan began to introduce me to people, specifically to the Elite Squad.

Chief was extremely nice, and Buddha had a charm about him that would make anyone feel comfortable. I knew Badger well enough at that point because of Evelyn, and because I was helping find Badger’s kidnapped sister. Everyone was so genuine and made me feel like they had known me forever. For a brief moment, I wondered what it would have been like to meet Arrow. If his team was this lovely, I could only imagine what a wonderful man he was.

The whole night, I felt Dante’s eyes on me. Every time I glanced toward him, I found him looking at me from the corner of his eye, even when he was amidst a conversation. I hadn’t been able to answer him, however I could tell that he could see how I felt by the longing stares I was giving him.

As I exited the restroom later in the evening, Dante was leaning against the hallway wall, looking down at his phone. When he heard my footsteps, he looked up and pocketed the device, giving one of his signature smirks that sent heat through my core.

When I went to walk past him, he darted out his hand, grabbed my arm, and hauled me to him. Before I knew what was happening, I was pinned up against the wall and his lips were a centimeter away from mine.

“I missed you, kitten,” he said. “Tell me you missed me; tell me you’ll give me another chance.”

My core clenched and wetness began to pool between my legs. The nine months I’d spent without talking to him did nothing to stop the flood of feelings that rushed through me.

I arched into him, delighting in the way my body felt against his. With his free hand, he swept a loose curl behind my ear. I closed my eyes, soaking in the sparks that danced between us.

I tried to move, but the effort was futile against his strong hands.

“Mmm,” he growled, “Your body is saying that you missed me too. But I want words, kitten.

“I forgive you, Dante. I want you and missed you.”

The darker side of me understood Dante. Understood that he was protective over what he wanted. Deep down I believed him that he was sorry. I was tired of being angry with him. I wanted to give into these feelings between us.

He pressed his lips to mine, soft at first before he deepened the kiss. A moan of desire before tangling my tongue with his. He let out a growl as he wrapped his free hand around my throat. A gasp escaped my lips, surprised by his show of dominance. But I loved it. Craved it. Needed it.

Dante drew back, leaving both of us breathless, and released my wrists. My hands instantly went to his chest, where I felt his heart hammering. Oh yeah, he wanted me just as bad as I wanted him.

He pressed his forehead to mine before looking into my eyes. “This is how this is going to go,” Dante started, his voice low and menacing. “First, you are going to take your panties off right here and give them to me. Then we are going to enjoy the party for another half hour, after which you will meet me out front, and I will take you home. Do you understand, kitten?”

I nodded, then pressed my lips to his in a chaste kiss before sliding my underwear off and setting them in his waiting palm. He placed the black-lace thong into his pocket and then gave me a smirk.

“I’ll see you in thirty minutes.”

TWENTY-FIVE

LENNIE

The next half hour seemed to drag on forever. I was so turned on that I thought I was going to burst into flames. To my surprise, Dante was casually talking to Buddha as if nothing had happened in the hallway ten minutes ago.

“How’s the search going for B’s sister?” Gwen asked, taking me out of my dirty thoughts.

We typically didn’t talk about work outside of the building for confidentiality's sake, but she was being careful enough, so I didn’t mind that she asked.