“To talk.”
“Get in.”
He slides into the passenger seat, and I don’t say anything more. I put my seatbelt on and start the ignition. The front gate opens. I don’t even pay attention to who is working it. All I know is I need far away from here.
“What happened back there?” he finally asks when we get on the main road.
“I don’t want to talk about it right now. You said you wanted to talk so talk.” I suck in a breath and hiccup on a final sob.
Vince reaches out and brushes away the last tear rolling down the right side of my face. “Pretty even when she cries,” he whispers.
“What do you want, Vince?”
“You. I never should’ve let you go. Biggest regret of my life.”
“It was my choice and I made it,” I tell him. I liked Vince but I wasn’t in love with him. Not like I was with Link. The thought of him burns me from the inside out. His betrayal all too fresh and raw of a wound that I’m afraid will never heal. Not this time. “Besides, that was a long time ago. I’m sure you’ve moved on and had plenty of women eager to be your Old Lady.”
“None that compared to you, wild thing.”
I shake my head slightly and turn on my wipers as rain begins to splatter on my windshield. “I doubt that. You hardly knew me, and I’m not the same girl I was back then. I’m married and a mom. What we had was fun, but it was another life. One I’m not sure I belong in.”
“What did he do? If he didn’t hit you, what then? I saw the sadness in your eyes the moment I took one look at you.”
I should keep my mouth shut but I tell him the truth. “He cheated on me with a cut slut.”
“I see. You never were one for sharing.”
“No, I wasn’t,” I agree.
“I’ve changed too, you know. Been doing a lot of thinking and my mind goes back to one person. One woman I’ve never gotten over losing.”
“Vince...,” I start and my phone rings from the console. My husband’s assigned tone repeats. “Hit ignore on that would you.”
I pull down the road where Murder and Alexa’s new house is under construction. I park in the driveway but don’t shut my vehicle off.
“I ride out in coupla’ days. Could come with me.”
“We both know that’s not going to happen.”
“Why not? What’s holding you here?”
“My son for one. My life is here. I’m not running away from my problems.”
Vince tucks my hair behind my ear and leans closer coming across the console. “I never wanted kids. You didn’t either. I haven’t forgotten all them late night talks. Sharing all your secrets and dreams with me.”
“Things change and so do dreams. I love being Connor’s mom.”
“But do you love being Link’s Old Lady?”
Isn’t that the million dollar question. My phone keeps vibrating with more missed calls. Now Zoe is even trying to get through. I hesitate to answer my phone. Zoe could be calling me for Link, but she’s also got Connor again tonight.
“We should go back. Link finds out I drove off alone with you, he may kill us both.”
“I can take him.”
“Maybe but I’d rather not find out.”
“Been dying to kiss you all night and find out if it’d be as good as I remember, but I’m betting it’d be better.” He tucks a finger under my jaw to angle me in for a kiss.
My breath catches in my throat as he moves in slow motion bringing his mouth closer to mine. I close my eyes and jerk away. “I can’t. I’m sorry.”
“You love him that much?”
“I’m not a cheater. Even if he deserves it.”
“Fair enough.” He drops back in the passenger seat and stares out the window. Disappointment hangs between us for different reasons.
I shift to reverse to drive him back to the clubhouse then I am going to pick up my son.
Chapter Thirteen
If Vince doesn’t keep his eyes off my wife, he’s going to be a dead bird.
The fight’s barely started when the prospect, Nav taps me on the shoulder. “Someone wants a private word with you in the clubhouse.” Irritation laces through me. Probably Vince wanting a private chat about what went down earlier, but I’ve got nothing more to say to him. I catch his gaze across the pit, and he gives me a chin lift.
Fucker. This ends now.
“Be back in a second.” I kiss my wife’s forehead and stomp to the clubhouse. I go through the back door and to the bar. The place is empty for now. Everyone is outside enjoying the fight. I light up a cigarette and wait.
“Don’t be angry,” Danika starts toward me.
This fucking cunt. I snuff my cigarette out. “Told you to stay the fuck away from me. Shoulda fuckin’ listened.”
“I just wanted to apologize, but I didn’t want to upset Pam.”
“I don’t give a damn what you want. What do you think would happen if my wife saw us right now? You have any idea what this would do to her? Or what she’ll do to you.”
“I know she must hate me. I mean I would.” She lets out a huff and grabs the edge of my shirt.
I grab her around the throat. “Don’t touch me, cunt.” I squeeze in final warning. Her blue eyes bulge as she smacks at the grip I have on her. “Best thing you can do is to get the hell out of Charleston. I see you again I’ll fucking bury you in a hole so damn deep no one will ever find you.” I let her go and return to the fight to find my wife gone and apparently so is Vince.
You’ve got to be shitting me. I
