Page 21 of Darkness

NYCTO

Eva is a sobbing mess in my arms. This is hitting her hard, as I guess it should. The gravity of the situation—it’s a lot. She was taken from her home country to be sold and is now being held captive by some stranger who’s saying her sister has been taken by the very men who tried to take her too.

I feel like shit as I cling to her, smoothing her hair back. My stomach knots. I wish I was man enough to take her pain away. I could tell her about Ivy being beneath us in the lower bunker, and if I were a decent man, I would. But it will make her hate me right when we’re starting to make some damn progress.

So I pull her tighter, wrapping myself around her for comfort, and decide to keep my secret a little longer.

I’m going to tell her.

When the timing is right for both of us.

She sobs again, and the noise rips at my heart.

I need to calm her, so I pull us down to lie on the bed together. This is all kinds of new to me. I’ve never really held a woman on my bed before, and the feeling is completely foreign. She pushes her back to my front while I wrap my arm tightly around her waist, holding her to me. My nose burrows into her hair, and I breathe in the scent of her, letting her know I’m right here as she begins to settle.

I never saw myself as the comforting type, not with my history. I’ve always been a lone wolf, a complete man of solitude. Even joining the club was a huge step for me. Being part of the brotherhood—having men there to rely on, to lean on—wasn’t something I was used to, but the protection, that’s why I joined. Always knowing a group of men had my back, a support system. I needed it at the time, and now Eva needs me.

I’m at ease when I’m around her, and I can’t put a finger on why.

I want to protect her. I want to see her happy.

Her crying slows to gentle sobs, and her body slackens. Exhausted from my ride, I close my eyes and let calm flush over me. Shit has been hectic for a while, but here, in each other’s arms, there is a sense of tranquility, so I shut off my worries about the world and let everything wash away.

***

Movement startles me awake, my heart rapid-firing. My eyes dart open in a panic as Eva stands from the bed and grimaces. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you. I need the bathroom.”

I’m not used to feeling someone next to me when I sleep. Generally, if there’s motion when you’re sleeping, it’s some fucker trying to attack you. She’s lucky her gorgeous face was enough to stop me in my tracks, and I didn’t react. My anxiety calms to its normal level as I wave my hand, letting her head for the bathroom. I pat my jeans pocket. She can’t get out the main door, anyway—the key is still there. She takes off as I sit on the edge of the bed, trying to fully wake to gather my thoughts.

I glance at my watch. It’s just past seven in the evening. We slept for hours, and I didn’t have one single nightmare. I haven’t had a solid sleep for as long as I can remember. What the fuck?

Knowing the club might need me, I stand from the bed. I want to stay and talk to Eva, but I don’t want her to be awkward around me. She got up and left for a reason. She was distraught and sought comfort in me. Eva is probably having regrets.

To me, sleeping with her in my arms was fucking amazing. I honestly don’t recall ever sleeping with a woman in my arms. Eva has no idea how lucky she is. To her, though, it was probably a lapse in judgment.

I don’t want to see that register on her face.

So, I’ll leave to give her some time.

I need to think this through, anyway.

Eva is changing me, making me do things I have never done. She holds power over me I never thought any woman could ever hold.

It’s unsettling.

I walk to the bedroom door and unlock it. As I turn the handle, I hear the bathroom door open. Without a backward glance, I slip out, closing the bedroom door behind me and locking it. Then I stand there for a minute, listening to make sure she’s okay. I can’t hear anything, so I turn to make my way out into the clubroom.

I need to find Atomic.

He’s standing at the pool table with Crow. I walk over, tipping my head at them both. “Atomic, a word.”

He places the bumper of his cue on his boot, chalking it up with the blue cube. “Hit me,” he instructs, focusing on the little blue square.

“I need you to keep an eye on my bank account. Tell me when the cash comes in from Hawk. His money needs to be sent to Andrés as soon as it hits that account, along with my half.”

Atomic places the chalk on the side of the table and then lines up his shot. “Sure thing, Pres.” He slams the cue ball, the impact forcing it into the pile and sinking two smalls at opposite ends of the table.

“Fucking hell,” Crow spits out.

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