Page 76 of Filthy Devil

James doesn’t want to be here, she doesn’t want to be the queen of this club, and I don’t fucking blame her. I don’t think I want her to be queen, either. She’d be too much of a goddamn target.

“I’ll get my crews started,” he says as he stands.

“Thanks, brother,” I murmur, shoving my hand out to shake his.

He smiles, dipping his chin as he shakes my hand. “Keep those plans. Show the guys. I’ll have a crew come out next week and get started clearing this shit out.”

Without another word, he turns and walks over to his bike. I watch him for a moment until the bike disappears, then I turn to James. She’s watching me but appears confused. I start to ask her what’s wrong, but she speaks.

“When are you going to tell me?” she asks.

“Tell you?”

She nods her head once. “Tell me,” she whispers.

I watch James for a moment and wonder how in the absolute fuck she’s got me figured out when I’m not even sure if I have my shit figured out yet. “I haven’t made a decision yet,” I rasp.

“But you’re thinking about it.”

Dipping my chin in a single nod, I clear my throat before I speak. “Yeah, sweetheart, I’m thinking about it.”

“And you’re thinking about what exactly?” she demands.

I grin. Goddamn, I love this woman. Twenty years old, but she doesn’t act like it. I don’t think I’ve ever met a woman like her in my whole fucking life, and I know without a doubt that I never will again.

Which is why I can’t lose her. Not to this life, not to enemies, and I sure as fuck can’t lose her by making fucked-up mistakes. So, I’m going to make a decision that will hopefully keep us together for-fucking-ever.

And happy.

Call me crazy, but I want to have peaceful happiness.

JAMES

Nomad.

I don’t know what that word means, but I can tell it’s a big decision, and it’s a big damn deal. Chewing my bottom lip, I watch him before I turn away. I don’t know what the hell to say to him because I feel like this is a monumental thing.

“Nashville?” I call out, my back to him, my focus on the pile of rubble.

He doesn’t say anything, but I hear his approach, and then I feel his hands wrap around the sides of my waist. “Yeah, sweetheart?”

“You built this, all of it, and you’re going to walk away?” I ask.

He shakes his head once, then clears his throat. “I did build it, but I’m not walking away from anything.”

“You aren’t?” I ask.

Watching him for a moment, I frown. I’m not sure what to say exactly. He’s talking about living on the road. I mean, I assume that’s what he’s saying, being nomadic. I’m not sure I want to live like that.

But then again, I’m not sure I want to live here. I take a deep breath. “I’m not walking away from anything. This club is still mine. I started it, and it will always be part of me.”

“Nash, I don’t want you to think that you have to do this for me. This is your world, and you just did someone a favor by taking me off that truck.”

His brows snap together, his eyes focused on mine before he speaks. “I didn’t do a favor for anyone, James. I protected someone who was part of the club, and then I fell in love with her.”

“Okay,” I exhale. “But you don’t have to leave here. I know you love it and these men. You love your club.”

My breath hitches as his palm cups my cheek and his eyes search mine. He slides his thumb across my bottom lip. My tongue sneaks out, and I touch it to the pad of his thumb.

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