Page 39 of Shiner's Light

Just like that, the conversation is over, and the decision is made. He’s three and already knows how to get what he wants, just like his daddy.

* * *

“You freaked out?” Shiner asks, coming back into the room, eyes on me while he closes the door, locking it behind him.

He’d taken Milo to the room across the hall nearly an hour ago, and I didn’t dare turn the baby monitor on to listen. I’m still trying to get the conversation between the two of them absorbed. And that’s not including Milo asking me to be his mommy.

So much happened in that conversation, yet didn’t. Shiner all but told me he was marrying me. Milo wants me as his mommy. I want both—more than anything.

The only problem . . . Sasha.

Before either can happen, she has to be dealt with. Tomorrow, it has to happen then. If it doesn’t, then the stakes become higher.

“No,” I croak, clear my throat, and lick my bottom lip, drawing it between my teeth.

Shiner grins and moves toward the bed all the while lifting his shirt over his head, tossing it to the floor. It’s something I’ve noticed about him. He just throws clothes wherever at the clubhouse and in his room at the house. “So, you’re not freaked I told my kid I’m gonna marry you?”

I swallow, though it’s not easy, not with the lump forming in my throat. I shake my head in denial, not wanting him to know it did in fact, freak me way the hell out.

“You sure, Olly? You look ready to bolt.” His boots are the next to go along with him unbuckling his belt.

“Maybe I am, maybe I’m not?” I try the levelheaded, cool approach.

“You’re freaked.” He chuckles, pops the button, and unzips his pants, dropping them at the end of the bed. “That’s okay, honey, you can be freaked all you want. Long as you know you’re mine.”I open my mouth to speak, but words refuse to come out. I don’t think they would even if I could manage them. Shiner takes the moment to climb up and over me, pushing me to my back. “Now, we’re going to spend the rest of the night doing exactly what I mentioned to you earlier.”

Shiner’s lips take mine, and his hands roam my body, everything else melts away. In this moment all that matters is Shiner’s touch.

* * *

Shiner holds me close in his arms, my body limp and sated. The man was like a sex machine. From start to finish, he took me relentlessly. Taking his time. Switching it up to hard and fast, then to sweet and slow. By the time we collapsed on the bed, it was all I could do to catch my breath.

Neither of us speaks as he keeps me secure in his arms. I’m too exhausted to even if I knew what to say. I simply want to sleep right here, just for a little while. Long enough to feel the safety of Shiner wrapped around me one last time.

Closing my eyes, I relax even further, allowing myself to drift off only for a bit. I can’t allow myself to sleep longer than that.

Two hours later, I crawl from the warmth of Shiner’s arms. Silently without waking him, I dress in a pair of snug form form-fitting skinny jeans and one of his hoodies. I slide my cell phone in my back pocket and grab my shoes. For the time being, I keep my feet bare, not wanting to take the chance of waking him. If he were to catch me, he’d stop me from doing what I’m about to do, and I can’t let him do that.

This is between Sasha and me.

It’s always been between the two of us, and that’s the way it needs to end between just the two of us.

Before slipping from the room, I grab one of the knives Shiner keeps on top of his dresser. I tuck it up the sleeve of his hoodie, keeping it within easy reach. It’s not easy to get out of the clubhouse, and I know I’m not leaving without being noticed. The prospects won’t miss my leaving. Nor will they keep it to themselves. They’ll report to Shiner and the others within minutes of my departure, which is fine as long as I get the head start I need.

Outside the clubhouse grounds, I slip on my shoes and pull my phone out of my pocket. I find the number I’m looking for. The one Sasha sent the text from. Hitting send, I lift the phone to my ear while walking to the side of the road.

“I was wondering when you would call,” Sasha says with a singsong voice. “You took your time doing so, but I knew you would.”

“You tell me where you are, and I’ll come straight to you,” I utter, keeping my voice soft. There’s no way I can let her know I refuse to let her keep doing this. She has to think she’s won for the time being.

“Little sister, don’t think I don’t know you well enough to know what you’re up to.” Sasha snickers. “Either way, there’s a car just down the road from where you are. You get in it, and they’ll bring you here.”

She disconnects before I can respond. With a sigh, I pull the phone from my ear and put it back in my pocket. Here goes nothing. Walking quickly, I spot the car. A man is outside it, opens the back door, and I climb in. I’m thankful he doesn’t check me for weapons or take my phone. The door closes, and a moment later, we’re moving.

During the ride, I stare out the side window, watching the landscape pass us by. A cold chill washes down my spine, and I long to be back in Shiner’s bed, his arms wrapped around me.

Unfortunately, now isn’t the time.

I need to push all other thoughts away for the time being. At least until I get my sister taken care of. After that, if I survive this, I can spend the rest of my life enjoying every moment I have in Shiner’s arms.

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