Page 13 of Rugged Soul

“Jesus fucking…” I trail off, not wanting to get too carried away with how pissed off and guilty I feel. “How many of them? What did they say?”

“Only three,” she answers. Only three? I’m putting them all six feet under once I find them. “They asked what I knew about the Deviant Souls and what my relationship was with you. He said…” Calista tenses up and I hold her closer, absorbing her anxiety as best as I can. “He said your days are numbered and that the marks they left on me would be enough of a message.”

I can’t stop the murderous growl released from the depths of my chest. Calista shrinks in on herself and starts to pull away. I shove down my molten-hot anger and search deep in my soul for a feeling of peace and safety I can convey to my woman.

“I’m so sorry I put you through this,” I say, my voice cracking with emotion. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have left you alone and vulnerable.”

“What? No, this isn’t your fault,” she reassures me.

I lean back slightly, just enough to cradle the side of Calista’s face, gently brushing my thumb against her cheek. “You’re under my protection,” I tell her. “Things with the club are far more unstable and dangerous than I thought. I never would have put you in this position if I knew…”

“Hey,” she whispers, placing the palm of her hand over my heart. “You’re not responsible for the actions of those monsters.”

Her kindness is confusing and overwhelming. I’m not the one who needs to be comforted right now, yet here she is, wanting to make sure I’m okay. “I should have warned you or never left you to begin with. I should have–”

“Domino,” she murmurs, that one word stopping me mid-sentence. I love the sound of my name on her lips. “I don’t blame you for what happened. I have questions, and I’m honestly not really sure what to do from here, but I’m not upset with you. I just… I feel stupid and helpless and like I already messed up this sale. And now it feels like I’m being sabotaged and–”

“I’ve got you,” I tell her softly as I wipe away the first of her tears. “I’m here now, baby girl. You’re not stupid and you’re not helpless. This has nothing to do with you and everything to do with unfinished club business.” Calista nods while I let out a cleansing breath and kiss the top of her head. “Do you believe that I’ll protect you?” She nods again, but I need more. “Give me your words, Calista. I want to hear it.”

“I trust you, Domino. I know you’ll protect me.”

“Good girl,” I murmur, kissing the top of her head again.

Calista shivers against me, her body subconsciously reacting to my praise. Fuck me, it’s so inappropriate at a time like this, but I want this woman, everything about her, forever. I want her by my side, in my bed, on the back of my bike, every-fucking-where, all the fucking time.

After a few moments of gently stroking my woman’s back and holding her against me, I peel her off and look into those endless green eyes of hers. “I’m going to take you back to my house for now until we can regroup and deal with the bastards who dared to lay a hand on you. You’ll have your own room and plenty of privacy. The last thing I want to do is make you uncomfortable.”

“You don’t make me uncomfortable,” comes her quick reply.

I can’t stop myself from pressing my lips to her forehead and breathing her in. “Good. That’s good, beautiful girl,” I whisper.

Calista and I exit the booth and I make a few calls to organize some of the guys to pick up my spare set of keys and ride my bike back to my house. I’ll be driving Calista in her car. My poor girl is exhausted and I know I would be out of my mind with worry if she got behind the wheel.

I help her into the passenger’s seat and buckle her in. She looks up at me with red-rimmed eyes, giving me a heartbreakingly sweet smile. “Thank you for taking care of me,” she whispers.

“It’s my honor,” I say, matching her tone. I’ve never meant anything more in my life.

7

CALISTA

As soon as I step inside Domino’s house, an overwhelming feeling of belonging washes over me, taking me by surprise. I spent my childhood and adolescence bouncing around schools and different living arrangements, tagging along with my mom as she let her heart lead the way. While I have a lot of great memories of growing up, I’ve never had a place to call home.

Is it crazy that I feel like I’m finally coming home? It’s not the house itself that feels like a warm, reassuring hug, it’s Domino. His presence. Wherever he is, I’m home.

I stand, frozen in the entryway while Domino continues inside and sets down my purse and other belongings he carried inside for me. I don’t realize I’m crying until Domino turns around, his eyes locking on mine.

"Please don't cry," he says softly as he closes the distance between us. The beast of a man deflates before me as if my tears are causing him physical distress. Domino handles me with such care as he cradles my face in his hands, once again brushing my tears away with his thumbs.

“Sorry,” I murmur in between sniffles.

Domino wraps me up in his arms, surrounding me with his strength. I relax into his embrace, knowing with my entire being that he’ll protect me.

“Never apologize to me, Calista,” he whispers, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. The sweet, tender gesture from such a large, muscled man has me swooning for him more than I already do. “God, if I could go back in time…”

“I’m okay,” I tell him, circling my arms around his waist and squeezing him tightly. We stand in the entryway of Domino’s house, holding each other and gently swaying back and forth. I didn’t know this was what my fragile heart needed, but I already feel like I’m healing in more ways than one.

When we finally pull apart, I try not to frown at the loss of him. Domino looks around the living room and then toward the hallway off to the right, which I assume is where the bedrooms are located. “It’s not much, but mi casa es su casa, as they say.” He rubs his hand on the back of his neck as if feeling awkward or possibly anxious about showing me his place.

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