“Dad,” Ashley breathed, as surprised as I was that he’d emerged from his self-inflicted solitary lockdown.
He gave her a smile, then eyed me. “You healing up?”
“Yeah.”
“Good. Take some more time. I got Wrecker taking point on security, until you’re recovered.” He turned to Ashley. “Know it’s your meet to sign them papers for TRUE INK today. Finn ain’t up to it right now so I figured I’d come with you, yeah?”
She hesitated, looking uneasy at his offer. “Dad, I appreciate it, but I really don’t need a babysitter. The threat’s over. Plus, I’ve got it handled. I don’t want you bringing some heavy-headed persuasion to the table.”
“Ain’t gonna do none of that. You taking this leap, having your own store, is a big deal. I wanna be a part of it.” He scrubbed his hand over his face, then told her earnestly, “It ain’t gonna be like before, no suffocating shit from me. Made a deal with Finn about it and I’m gonna make it with you directly too. I trust you’re gonna be safe now, cuz I trust Finn, always have. I just wanna be a part of your life. Don’t wanna lose you again. I want you to want to be around me and the club here in Ridgefield. And if all I gotta do to make that happen, to have a relationship with you again, is to back off, then I’m gonna fucking well do it.”
It took Ashley a moment to take in what he was saying. No doubt, words she’d longed to hear for a very long time. It was understandable that finally hearing them had her at a momentary loss. It was a hell of a lot to swallow.
But then she beamed at him and shot off the bed to throw her arms around him. “I have missed you, you know, Dad?”
“Yeah?” he murmured into her hair, his voice breaking a little with emotion.
“Of course. You’re my dad. I love you and I always will.”
They broke apart after a while and Scott told her, “I got some news for you too.”
Ashley cocked an eyebrow.
“That house up by the lake is finally up for sale.” He held up his hands quickly. “I ain’t interfered or nothing. It’s all your call. Just been keeping an eye on it, cuz I know you had your eye on it before you ended up leaving for the city.”
“Wow. Thanks, Dad. We’ll check it out once Finn is better.”
“All right,” he said, planting a kiss on the top of her head. “See you in the mess hall in a bit for lunch, then we’ll head out to your meet after, yeah?”
“Perfect,” Ashley said, smiling.
With that, he took off, closing the door quietly.
“A lot to think about, huh? Big things happening,” I said, as Ashley climbed back onto the bed and snuggled against me.
“Yeah.” She nuzzled my good shoulder. “Right now, though, I just want to stay here with you.”
“You took the words right out of my mouth.”
She giggled and settled herself against me.
I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her closer, needing her closer. I couldn’t imagine the day when that need would ever dissipate.
She was in my every living breath.
Etched deep into my heart.
The last glow of light illuminating my blackened soul.
Her scent was burned into my brain. Her sweetness stained my tongue. Her joyful laugh echoed in my memory. She was the most precious part of me.
Once upon a time I’d been a monster cut off from everyone and everything.
Until she’d come along.
She’d brought out the good in me.
And I’d brought out the power in her.
She roared with fire.
I’d discovered peace.
Peace.
For a man like me, it was almost completely unheard of.
It was something worth living for. Something worth fighting for. Something worth suffering all the wounds in the world for.
Now I’d found the one woman who could bring me the peace I’d been craving, who could soothe the monster that lay within.
Ashley Tate was everything I hadn’t known I’d been looking for.
And I was never letting go.
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Succumb to a Bad Boy.
Franca writes stories about bad-boy alpha males and the tough women who turn their worlds upside down.
She is best known for her motorcycle romance series, BLACK THORNS MC.
When she's not writing, Franca enjoys watching action movies and binging on great TV series. Spending time with her lovable lab, hiking, and listening to hard rock music, are her passions.
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