Page 8 of The Edge of Intensity

His eyes slide to Eastlynne. “Maybe it’s best to talk in private?”

“East is trustworthy,” I state.

Over the past few days, she’s opened up to me through discussions and working together on Buckey. It’s as if I’ve moved through an invisible wall she has formed around her and entered her circle.

“It involves Winfield,” Decker states with a hint of warning.

Eastlynne is not the kind of person to blabber out secrets to anyone. Hell, as far as I know, she only interacts with her sister and lets Cosima handle everyone while she focuses on what she loves in life; working with horses.

I’m about to explain to Decker how Eastlynne demands people to respect her personal space and how she doesn’t let others close when she touches my arm. “It’s okay, I can give you two some privacy.”

My skin prickles where her palm touches me. It’s as if our connection causes an electric current of awareness between us. Our eyes lock and the sharp intake of breath along with her pupils dilating lets me know she feels it too. Yeah, these past few days have definitely moved me into her inner circle.

Without taking my eyes off her I tell Decker, “East is my person, talk freely.”

What I want to say is, “East is mine,” but that would probably send her running. The discussion we had this morning was about having a person you fall back on without thinking. For East it was a no-brainer; her sister Cosima. I told her I had more than one…with me telling her right now I consider her my person, it’s to let her know I think she’s fucking precious. Which I sure as fuck do.

Decker raises one of his eyebrows and I know I’ve made myself clear; he’s aware of my silent claim. East isn’t like any other woman, and those I’ve encountered are clingy, demanding, and have expectations I don’t want to live up to.

When it comes to Eastlynne, though? I want to protect her, savor her every touch and closeness because it’s fucking special when it comes from her. I see her for what she is; a gem amidst a field of plain rocks. Fuck her weird quirks or reasons to function in her own way. From the time I’ve spent with her, I can honestly say she’s kind, caring, funny, and has a heart of gold.

“Okay, Prez,” Decker rumbles and I turn my head to face him as he adds, “Kathleen called. Winfield had a motorcycle accident. Well, it seems that way, but for now, they are sticking to that scenario.”

Kathleen, Decker’s daughter, is the sheriff of this town.

“What do you mean with they are sticking to that scenario? And why the fuck would I care? He’s out, remember?” I rumble, still pissed as hell about what that fucker did.

“He’s dead,” Decker states. “It might have looked like he went off the cliff with a motorcycle, but where the fuck is his motorcycle? Because it wasn’t there. Then there’s the little fact that his house was broken into yesterday. Kathleen was off yesterday and only discovered this little fact this morning.”

“No coincidence,” I grit. “Sounds more like retaliation.”

“That’s what I was thinking,” Decker growls.

“Send a group text. I want a full table in half an hour,” I order. “We have to talk shit through to make sure there’s no risk for us. I was the one retrieving the horse, and it’s a no-brainer that this is all tied to what just happened. ’Cause I don’t think he was wrapped in any other shit that might have backfired on that fucker.”

Decker nods and grabs his phone as he strides away.

“Sorry, darlin’, I have to cut this short,” I regretfully tell East.

Her eyes are on me, and it feels as if she’s trying to read my thoughts. I want nothing more than to spend more time with her today, but this shit concerning Winfield needs to be handled. If what I’m thinking is true, then his so-called friends he sold Buckey to killed him. I hope to prove myself wrong, but the details Decker just shared led both of us to jump to that conclusion.

“Something I can do to help?” she offers.

The corner of my mouth twitches. “You’re not allowed in church.”

“Church?” She frowns. “You guys have a church on the property and are gonna…wait. Is that what bikers call the room they have meetings in?”

I shake my head. “Let me guess, you binge motorcycle club series on TV?”

“Nope, Cosima likes those and I read while she watches but I still overhear stuff. I prefer series, movies and books, with a supernatural twist.”

“Supernatural, eh? Well, I don’t have a lot of time to watch anything on TV. I guess you’ll have to educate me on some of your favorites. I could come over to your place tonight and watch some, or you could come back here. Though, I have to warn you. I mostly sleep in a room at the clubhouse and the main room will be busy tonight.”

Her eyes are wide and I can practically see her mind going into overdrive.

“Never mind.” I sigh, knowing I overstepped.

Too soon, too fucking quick. Even if we spent a few days together chatting and getting comfortable around one another.

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