Page 89 of Roses and Skulls

“What’s that, baby?” I ask, my fingers combing lightly through her dark locks.

“How is that thing going to fit inside me?”

I bop her on the end of her nose with my finger. “You’re adorable.”

“I’m not joking, Elijah, I don’t think it’s going to work.” Her eyes change color, her eyebrow cocking in warning.

So cute. I shove her head back down on my chest. “It will fit, stop worrying.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Billie Rose

If my family noticed the change in me, nobody said anything. There’s just something about knowing I’m Elijah’s girl that makes me stand taller. Gone is the girl that hid her voice from the world. I feel powerful… I feel like a woman.

We haven’t had sex yet but that’s okay. It’s the way he looks at me. It doesn’t matter where we are, his eyes follow me everywhere. I pretend not to notice but I do.

I’m making my way around the club members, saying hello as we host yet another party. This one is for JD and his fiancé. They are getting married in a few weeks and instead of having a separate bachelorette and bachelor party, the club decided to do it all in one. I’ve never seen JD so happy.

I can feel Elijah’s eyes on my backside as I approach my father. My father’s gaze is fixated behind me, his lip curled up in a snarl. “The party seems to be going well,” I say as I reach him.

He focuses his attention on me, the lines around his eyes softening. “It sure is, baby girl.” He pulls me into a hug and pats me lightly on the back.

When he releases me, I shift so that I’m standing beside him, looking out over the guests milling around the yard and down by the lake.

“How are things going at the bar?” he asks.

I kick my foot up behind me to rest against the wall. “Actually, it’s going really well. The bar is doing great. Our revenue is awesome.”

His forehead wrinkles in confusion. “Did you forget why you are there?” he asks.

“No,” I huff. “But it’s going to be mine soon and I want it to be making money.

He laughs quietly. “I get that, but we need to end this soon. It’s been several weeks now and I’m getting nervous.”

“I don’t know dad, maybe it was Lanie all along. Draven hasn’t done or said anything inappropriate lately. It’s been strictly business.”

My dad lights up a cigarette. “Never let your guard down, baby girl. He is a Devil, and they’re definitely trying to set up shop here and I can’t let that happen. I’m going to have to step in soon.”

I watch as a girl I don’t know walks towards Elijah. Of course, he doesn’t notice because his eyes are glued to me. “I know dad. I just, I don’t know. I’ll wrap it up.”

“You just tell me when to pull the plug.” He blows a veil of smoke around us. “You know, you don’t have to be the one to do it. I’ll handle it.”

The girl that I watched approach Elijah is trying to get his attention. He’s being polite but I can tell he’s irritated as fuck that she’s interrupting his ogling of me.

“Billie Rose,” my dad says, trying to get my attention.

“Hold that thought.” I hold up a single finger.

I march across the lawn as the pretty blonde lays her hand on Elijah’s chest, blinking up at him all innocent like. I don’t know where this bitch came from or which one of these bikers brought her here, but I don’t give one single fuck. This is my home. My club. My man.

Elijah sees me coming, his brow raising slightly. He tells her something and she turns my direction. But it doesn’t deter her. She smiles sweetly and shifts back to Elijah, not moving her hand. I guess I’ll have to do it for her.

I hear Elijah tell her, “I tried to warn you.” Amusement twinkles in his mischievous brown eyes.

Asshole.

When I tap her on the shoulder, she ignores me. “Sorry, sweetie, we’re busy. Go find yourself a boy, this guy here is too much man for someone like you.”

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