He paused then, meeting her gaze. “You don't have to stay, Adele. Mating is for life, yeah, but I won't force you to bind your life to mine. When this is over, you're free to walk away and not look back. I'll be alright, I always am. I want you to be happy, to have your normal life that you want.”
She sighed, almost sounding exasperated with him. “When have I said I wanted a normal life, Thian? If you're supposed to be perfect for me, who am I to challenge fate?”
Chapter Three Hundred Ninety-Eight
He'd been completely surprised, but relieved at her words. She'd accepted him. When he'd asked why she'd decided to do so, she simply shrugged, and listed off what she knew about him thus far. Adele thought he was loyal, strong, protective, caring, smart... he eventually ended up stopping her, his own cheeks flushing. He blushed? Since fucking when? Apparently, when his female complimented him.
After explaining more about how things worked and answering more of her interested questions, Adele had decided that she would put off being turned until she felt she was ready, giving them a trial run as mates, since they hadn't even gone out on a first date yet. If she eventually agreed to stay but didn't want to be turned, he'd respect that as well. He wasn't going to force her into a life that wasn't meant for her.
For now, he had to get her the fuck out of here and to safety. Adele didn't want to go back to the cabin, commenting rightly that if the rogues had connections with the mayor, they may have connections with the police too. At the very least, a few dirties in their pockets. If they'd had time to relay the license plate number on the bike to any associates, they may already have his second address that was registered to it.
With that in mind, he couldn't leave her there while he went to the clubhouse. He'd never forgive himself if he left her there alone and something happened to her. He wasn't gonna leave her here at the fucking McMansion with dead bodies on the lawn, either. So he took the only option available to him at the moment, calling the Prez and requesting a convoy.
Now that the imminent danger had passed, they had time for his brothers to mobilize and get here. Once they did, the two of them would be escorted safely to the clubhouse, where Thian could hand over the documents so they could figure out the next steps. And Adele would be safe there. The rogues wouldn't dare to come within a hundred feet of the clubhouse, not if they didn't have a goddamn death wish after what they'd already put two females through. Within a half hour, the roar of bikes filled the air, coming up the paved driveway. Thian grinned, manifesting his jeans and jacket.
“That's our ride, Princess.”
She wasn't happy waiting in the house while he went out to make sure it was actually his people out there, but he wasn't going to budge on that. Heading outside, he felt a sense of relief for the first time today. Waiting on the driveway were 8 bikes, his brothers standing next to them. A few Prospects, a few Members, and Gray.
Clasping hands all around, he quickly went through what had happened, including the deaths of the rogues. Gray moved to examine the bodies left behind as Thian went to go retrieve Adele. One of the Prospects had storage on his bike, so her bag went in there for safekeeping.
When they were ready to move, it was in formation. Two bikes in front, two behind, two on each side. They were surrounded. If anyone was going to attempt to reach Adele, they'd have a helluva fight standing in their way. Gray felt enough time had passed that any sentries left had likely scattered to report to their own Prez, if they had one, or whoever was yanking their leashes, but it paid to be diligent. Especially now that he had Adele to look out for. A fucking mate. If someone had asked him even two weeks ago, he'd have scoffed and told them he'd never be settling down.
Now? He wanted this shit settled so they could see what the hell could come of this. Whether or not they could work together, to make it for the long haul. Fate didn't choose blindly, at least it hadn't in the pairings he'd seen so far. He was eager to see what could come of this, what the future held.
First, the pressing problem needed to be dealt with. Arriving at the clubhouse, he helped Adele off the bike, nerves settling into the pit of his stomach. This would be the first time she saw the rest of the members of the club. The life they lived. He felt the strangest need to explain more about what they did, to try to put some of the things in a better light. Instead, he inwardly shrugged. She'd either stay or she wouldn't. He wasn't going to sugarcoat his life for her. This was him, spots and all.
Entering, he glanced around, spotting a few of the club whores behind the bar, two more perched on a Prospect's lap on the couch in the corner. Motioning to one of the women that had a calming, more caring demeanor, he drew Adele forward to quickly make introductions.
"Keep an eye on her. She gets hurt, upset, insulted, or inconvenienced in any way, I will personally slaughter
whoever is responsible for it."
Giving Adele's fingers a reassuring squeeze as he left her, he followed the rest in for the hastily called meeting, files in hand. He sincerely hoped they offered something to help narrow the field down further. These fucks
