Tarmac approached themfrom the opposite end of the hallway, Righteous close behind him. “Boss, we needto talk.”
“We will. Tonight,in church. Unless it’s life or death, I don’t want to hear about it before then.Understand?”
Tarmac nodded, butLord knew something was brewing with the Skull Nation. He was eager to deal withthose motherfuckers himself, but Ally was going to come first. There was alwaysa rival banging on their doors, but only one of her. He had to start doingthings right and make amends if he wanted a future with the busty little blonde.
Ally stared at theground until the brothers walked past them. One day, she’d walk these hallslike a queen, her head held high. Just the thought of it made his world feelwhole, so he knew claiming her had to be a good decision. His intuition always steeredhim in the right direction.
After entering hisbedroom and closing the door, Ally turned to face him. “You can’t protect me,Lord. You can’t be by my side every minute of every day. This will only happenagain,” she said. “So, your end of the deal is already null and void.”
He combed both hishands into her hair, gently securing her head so she couldn’t look away. “Todaywas never supposed to happen. I plan to make sure every single member of myclub knows my intentions. No one will ever lay a finger on you again. I promiseyou that.”
Her eyes were floodedwith unshed tears. The girl was stubborn. But he’d been an asshole,and he knew it.
“You can’t makethat promise.”
“Do you know who Iam, Ally?”
She swallowedhard, unable to look away.
“Say it,” he said.
“The president ofthe Straight to Hell MC.”
Lord nodded. “That’sright. And once everyone knows how important you are, they’ll treat you likegold. No one here will hurt you. I’ll never hurt you.”
****
Ally wasn’t surewhat to think or say. This was like a fucked-up fairy tale, and she didn’t knowwhat to make of it. She expected to wake up to her alarm clock, and this entireordeal was all a nightmare.
But then she’d neverhave met Lord.
Would that be agood or bad thing?
Her heart kept tugging,insisting there was something worth exploring between them. But then he’d turninto an asshole and make her question everything.
“I’m notimportant,” she said.
“You are.”
She scoffed. He’dmade it clear he was only keeping her alive because he wanted her virginity.She was a toy, his plaything of the week. And she had no doubt he could get anywoman he wanted. Not only was he the prez, but he hadan irresistible dark masculinity that held her captive. His scars, his flaws, hisrough personality—it all added to his appeal.
“You don’t believeme?” he asked.
“You have a shortmemory. I thought … I thought things were going in a different direction lastnight, then this morning you were like a different person. I don’t know who youare, and you don’t know who I am. We’re strangers.”
“I know.”
“And then your ownpeople attacked me. Humiliated me. I’ve never felt confident about myself, buttoday was the lowest I’ve ever felt.” Her traitorous tears slipped down her cheeks.She wanted desperately to be strong, to overcome her insecurities, to appearunaffected. It was impossible.
He kept silent,holding her head in place with his big, strong hands. Did he think she wasweak? She was nothing like the women in his club, and she never would be.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
The sincerity inhis gruff voice pushed her over the edge, deep waves of sorrow rocking her body.He pulled her against his hard body, holding her as she cried against him. It hurther ribs a bit, but she didn’t care. She desperately needed his comfort andaffection. Without him, she’d be alone in the world. At the mercy of the club.
“This morning, I wastrying to push you away. Trying to be an asshole.”
“Why?”
“It’s what I do,”he said. “I’m not used to caring about a woman. Emotions are dangerous in aplace like this.”
She believed him.The men in the club were like sharks. Ally had no doubt they’d tear apartanyone showing a weakness. What she couldn’t believe was that his feelings forher had changed so quickly.
“You said this wasa deal. A temporary thing.”
“And that’s what Iwanted it to be. Until I didn’t.”
She bit her lowerlip, wondering, hoping.
He kept talking inriddles, and she wondered if he was just as insecure as her. He’d had a brutalchildhood and a rough life in the MC. Trust wouldn’t come easy for him. Hell,it didn’t come easy for her.
“Lord.” She lookedup at him, resting a hand on his bicep. He flinched for a moment, his musclestensing. “Tell me what you want from me. Really want from me.”
He started to pullaway again, but she held on to his sleeve.
“I don’t know,Ally. My life was just fine until you came along. Now,I don’t know what the fuck to think.” He took a breath.“I want more.”
“More?”
“I’m forty yearsold. The other brothers are fine fucking club pussyevery night. They’re in heaven. It’s what they want,” he said. “It’s what I shouldwant.”
“And now?” Sheheld her breath.
“Now I want more.A worthy woman—innocent, sweet, mine. A virgin only I get to fuck.Kids. Nights watching movies. Feeling happy.”
“Sounds nice.”
“Does it?”
“I’m scared, Lord.Scared of being in a motorcycle club, of getting hurt again, of having my heartbroken.”
“What about me,Ally? Am I a monster to you? Are you counting the days until I cut you loose?”
She shook her head,and before she could speak, his lips were on hers. He cupped the sides of her head,kissing deeply, desperately, as if his life depended on this one kiss. She waslost.
Falling, falling,falling.
When her kneesgrew weak, he scooped her up into his arms, effortlessly carrying her over tohis big bed. He set her down, not breaking the kiss right away.
He rested a kneeon the mattress. “If I let you leave right now, no debt, no retaliation, willyou walk?”
She shrugged. “Whatlife is there for me here?”
“One with me. Bymy side.”
“I’m not naïve. Iknow how it works in an MC. I couldn’t stand sharing you, wondering if you’rescrewing around with one of the women around here.”
“Ally, If I claimyou, you’re the only woman I’ll ever have eyes for. Just before my
