Page 39 of Journey

“Look, I’m not going to take any risks where you’re concerned. I can protect you, but I’m still just one person. I’d prefer to have my brothers at our backs out in public.”

“I hate to point this out, but if we can’t leave my apartment, how would anything long-term even work between us?”

“The Wingless Angels aren’t gonna be around forever, Wren,” I tell her. “And once they're out of the picture, the threat is gone.”

“I’ve seen the tv shows, Journey,” she counters hotly. “I know what that one percent patch on your cut means. There will always be a threat, and I can’t live like that. Not with what I already have to deal with on a daily basis.”

It irks me to no end that she’s right. As long as I’m a Soulless King, anyone associated with me is fair game in the eyes of our enemies.

“I’ll leave the club then,” I blurt.

Shock rocks me to the core that I’d even consider it, but as the idea blossoms in my head, it takes root.

“Why?” she cries. “I’m nobody special. Hell, I’m fourteen nobodies.”

I chuckle. “I’d leave if it meant a chance at a life with you.”

“But we don’t know each other!”

“And I’m trying to change that,” I snap.

“No. No, I can’t ask you to do that. I may not have grown up in the biker world, but I know that for someone like you, it’s everything.”

We stare at each other for a moment, both of us silently pleading with the other to back down. When she doesn’t, I make a decision that could have horrible consequences.

“On second thought, we are going out,” I tell her. “Go finish getting ready.”

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

CHAPTER 20

WREN

No one’s ever stuck around.

“What’re you waiting for?”

My gaze is fixed on Journey’s Harley, and as tempted as I am to hop on, I’m also a little frightened. I’ve never been on a motorcycle before.

“You just got done telling me why you didn’t want to be out in public because of the danger, and now you expect me to just ride off into the sunset with you?” I shake my head. “I don’t think so.”

“We’re not gonna be in public,” he assures me. “And I promise I’ll stick to the speed limit.”

His devilish grin does nothing to alleviate my concerns, but it does send a shiver of need up my spine.

“If I die, I’m gonna haunt your ass,” I grumble as I let him help me onto the bike.

“You’ll be the sexiest ghost I’ve ever seen.”

“Not helping.”

He laughs and throws his leg over the seat to settle in front of me. “Wrap your arms around my waist and hold on tight.”

And I do, although I’m not sure digging my nails into his abdomen is what he had in mind as far as holding on tight.

“Here we are,” he says when he parks next to a large building fifteen minutes later. “Home sweet home.”

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