Page 107 of Lucky's Trouble

“Mm-hmm.” I don’t trust myself to say anything without falling apart again.

My face burns with shame. I bite into my bottom lip hard enough to draw blood when his rough hands reach under the linen and settle on my hips. He crouches, and one hand tugs down the panties while the other lightly skims over the top of my bottom, where the wounds from the paddle begin.

“He did that?”

“Yeah,” I whisper.

He stands, and I step up onto the rear bumper, but strong arms wrap around my middle and stop me from moving forward. His lips press into the crook of my neck and stay there. I fold my arms on top of his, gripping his strong forearms.

His warm breaths heat my skin as he clings to me for dear life, needing this as much as I do. I turn my head and press a kiss to his forehead.

“I can’t let go,” he says, choking back emotion. “I was so fuckin’ worried I’d never get you back.”

“I don’t want you to let go.”

“Good.”

“Except you need to because we’re gonna have to take two trips to get everyone back,” Cy says, interrupting the moment. “We need to get a move on. A few of the guards need medical attention, and I’d rather be on our way by the time the ambulances show.”

“Yeah, okay.” Lucky presses a series of kisses up my neck and across my shoulder before releasing me. “I’m right behind you.”

I climb in, but before I can decide on where to sit, Lucky is pulling me onto his lap and caging me in with those strong arms. I watch as Cy helps a man with a blood-soaked pant leg get in after us. Once he’s seated, six more men follow. I recognize Golden and Mustang but not the other four.

“The one who got himself shot is Raunchy,” Lucky says into my ear as Tigger starts the van and Cy climbs into the passenger seat. “These other four are Sweets, Eazy, Disciple, and Shotgun. They’re part of the Vegas Sons.”

“Glad you made it out.” Raunchy flashes me a wink as the other four give me a chin lift.

“Thanks, and thanks for helping in there too.” Words aren’t nearly enough, but for now, it’s all I have.

“No thanks necessary. Your jolly giant has helped me out of a pickle a time or two,” he says. I thought I heard an Australian accent with his previous words, but now I’m certain.

“Only one of the girls will leave,” Cy says to no one in particular. “Dutch took her to find some clothes and will bring her back when Tigger makes another trip.”

I wonder which one it was. All three were so devoted. And I wonder what the other two will do. With Sir dead, there’s no reason to stay. It makes no sense. They were given the opportunity of a lifetime to come back with us. There’s no doubt in my mind that the club would’ve gotten them on their feet.

“Did you guys see the size of the pool in the backyard?” Mustang says, resting his head on the side of the van. “That should be the next addition to the compound. Imagine the pool parties we could have.”

“You’re just thinking about what Jenson would look like in a speedo,” Golden says.

“Hell yeah, I am.”

Lucky’s chest vibrates against my back, and I close my eyes and smile, soaking up the fact that I’m back where I belong.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

LUCKY

My mind can’t even wrap itself around what just happened as I hold Tinleigh tight and wait for Tigger to return. It was fucking wild. I’m itching to talk about it and drill her with questions about what he did to her, but I know it’s not the time.

“I think it’s best you guys crash at our place tonight. It’s been quite a night, and it’s late,” Raunchy says.

“Yeah, you’re probably right,” Cy agrees, pulling out his phone. “Better call Char.”

He walks outside for privacy even though we all know Char will lose her shit on him. She put a ban on overnights for the old man a long time ago. I’ve been known to poke fun at him over it, but now that I have Tinleigh, I’m thinking about adopting that rule myself.

No, not thinking, implementing. There will be no more nights apart.

“Are you okay?” I ask.