Page 70 of Where We Ended

His unsettling light eyes arrested me, holding the very air in my lungs hostage as he said with all seriousness that I knew was within him. “Every last thing that makes up this world. The clubs, the people. The towns. I don’t care. I’ll take it. There’s a dragon somewhere curled in this heart of mine, and it’s greedy for you, Natty. Obsessed, insane and absolutely feral to keep you safe.”

The severity of my choices began sinking in.

Silas wouldn’t stop or settle until I was back behind the gilded doors of the Stone Riders. We’d stay out here, in this cornfield, fucking and fighting until I agreed to go back because he was that serious about my safety.

With a heavy sigh, I pressed my forehead to his.

“Escort me back.”

I felt him physically relax at my resignation, but deep down, he’d have to know me better than that. I may be willing to return, but it certainly didn’t mean I’d stay.

EIGHTEEN

SILAS

PRESENT

Natty didn’t expect me to remain in the Stone Riders clubhouse with her.

I could tell when I walked her up to her room, and then dropped my duffle bag to the floor. Her green eyes narrowed on it, her pink lips fell into a thin line and then she toyed with the ends of her hair. It was what she did when she had to rethink a scenario.

She used to do it a ton when we were younger and used to have competitions. Spelling, board games, or frog hunting. There were always things we were trying to best each other at. But this wasn’t a game. It was her life, and I needed her to realize that I wasn’t playing around.

I needed her to stay here and be safe. If she needed me here for a few days to drill that home, then I’d stay.

Her little attempt at freedom did not go over well with me and the fissures still radiating in my chest were a reminder that every single day this woman could and likely would ruin me.

I had no idea what she did with the Chaos Kings, or why she was there. I knew she had a link to Giles from when he’d lived here in the Stone Riders club. I assumed there was a connection to her showing up there a week after I had left her, but I wasn’t worried enough to ask just yet. Currently I was focused on the fact that we had to move Natty out of this room.

As much as I hated the idea, and I knew she would as well, it had to be done. Fable had been in here, and there was no way she’d ever relax enough to be comfortable here again. She proved as much when I lifted her dress up over her hip and began tracing a finger over the silk covering her cunt.

She had gently shoved me away with a shudder while casting a glance up at the window. Even under the blankets, she had whispered that she felt like he was watching or listening to her.

As the early shades of dawn crept into the room, she woke like an eager sunflower awaiting the first drop of sunlight. She smiled at me with that grin that said she was still trying to find a way to undermine me being here. Still she kissed me then quickly dressed in a sundress. On her feet, she wore a pair of boots, and her hair, she pulled back into a braid.

Like a fucking puppy, I followed her downstairs where she pulled on a black apron over her dress, it was blank, but I stared at it wondering if I could somehow add a property patch there too.

Property of The Roman would look really fucking good stretched across her breast.

“You going to help me?” She gave me a coy smile while pulling out different canisters and spices.

I’d never baked a day in my life. I’d watched her bake a thousand times while she worked at The Drip, but I had never been this close to her while she did it.

“Wouldn’t know where to begin.”

She held her hand out. “For starters, you just stand next to me…and if you don’t want flour all over your somber black clothes, then find an apron over there.”

I turned away from her, finding the spot she’d indicated. The Stone Riders kitchen was well-lit with long counters stretching along the sides and a massive butcher block counter in the middle. A myriad of smaller stainless-steel tables were holding wrapped loaves of bread, all piled as if they were ready for delivery.

Tying the apron off, I walked back over to Natty and stood next to her.

“What’s with all the bread?”

Natty peered over my shoulder and a sad smile slid along her mouth. “Long story…but Red should be in here baking right now…I’m curious where she is.”

I didn’t care enough to ask any follow-up questions. This life she had in the Stone Riders club was important to her, so I tried to make it important to me, but honestly, I just didn’t give a fuck about this place or anyone in it. I felt like I had to share my wife with them, and for that alone, I detested this place.

“What do I do first?”

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