Page 49 of Property of Azrael

“Why not?”

“My mom got sick my senior year of college, and I couldn’t leave after that. It might be one of my biggest regrets in life.”

Az’s grip pulls me tighter against him, his warmth comforting me.

“My mom has multiple sclerosis. It was mostly feeling weak at first, but now, she can’t walk unassisted. Dad had to take early retirement, and with that, it came at a hit financially with all of her medical bills. They were forced to sell the farmhouse I’d grown up in and the land that had been in our family for the last one hundred and twenty years.”

“Hallie, baby, I’m so sorry.”

“I’ve come to terms with it.”

“You shouldn’t have to,” he counters. “But I understand why. You sacrifice for family and friends. I know that all too well myself.” He pauses, his chest moving in methodical rises against my back. “Our lifestyle isn’t easy on the people around us.”

“Is this about her? The one you lost?”

“In part. There’s a reason why we didn’t wear our cuts at the event. Why we chose to keep them off until we were a safe distance away from the hotel. Our club operates a bit differently from the ones you write about.” He nuzzles his face into the crook of my neck. “To keep you safe.”

“Why would you need to keep me safe?” He doesn’t respond. He can’t tell me anything because I’m not a member of the club. I don’t wear his colors or property patch. “I know you can’t tell me. I know you can’t tell me what really kept you away last night, either.” I wish he could. I wish I knew why he felt the need to keep me safe. I wish I knew a lot of things right now.

A cold breeze rushes past us, causing me to shiver.

“You’re freezing.”

“I’m a little cold,” I admit.

Releasing me, he gets to his feet and helps me up to mine. “Let’s go inside. You can help me fix breakfast.”

We head to the kitchen and get to work. While he gathers the ingredients, I find some music to dance to on my phone and hit play. I gyrate my hips to the beat of the song while pulling clean plates from the dishwasher.

“Keep that up, and no one’s going to eat until lunch,” he declares, palming my ass as he shifts between me and the island.

Rocking my hips, I press my ass against him, laughing as I do. He spins me around, a knowing grin on his face.

“This?” I answer, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing myself to his body.

“What am I going to do with you?”

“I could think of a few things,” I giggle as he leans in to kiss me.

“Me too, baby girl.”

“Me three!” Fox steps into the room, wearing a pair of shorts slung low on his hips, no shirt. “Is the show complementary with breakfast, or do I have pay extra?”

“Fuck off,” Az growls.

“Not before I’m fed, Azzie.”

“Rain check,” he mutters. With reluctance, he lets me go and returns to prepping a simple meal of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. By the time we finish, the rest of the guys start trickling in from their rooms. Az helps me carry the plates of food over to the large banquet table before ushering me into the seat at the head of the table. All eyes are on me when he takes the seat next to me.

Scooping eggs into his mouth, O notes, “This is fucking different. I’ve never seen Az give up the head seat.”

Az rolls his eyes.

“Dude, it’s true. I’ve known you a long fucking time, and you’ve never done that.”

“How long have you guys known each other?” I inquire.

“Well, Az and Asher have known each other since birth.” Az snorts at that. “And the rest of us met in college,” Fox continues. “O and I were frat brothers with Az.”

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