Page 20 of Saving You Losing Me

I nudge Diesel. “Clear your diary. You’re gonna be busy setting up shop.”

“Thanks, Prez.” I hear the lump in his throat and know this means a lot to him. Diesel has never caught a break before and this business will be in safe hands. He has a determination to succeed. Most of the Angels do and we are in this together for the long term.

Razor thumps the table. “Fuck, this calls for a celebration.”

He raises his hand and Alice wastes no time in heading our way.

“Four beers please, darlin’.” He asks, and I raise my eyes.

“Four?”

He nods toward the door. “Billy just walked in.”

While we catch up and discuss our plans, I have one eye on Clara the entire time. She cleans tables and makes no attempt to chat with any of the customers. If she enjoyed her job, I’d feel a lot better, but this isn’t the place for her. Not that I’d tell her what to do, but it’s not sitting right with me if the reason she’s here is to spend time with me.

She smiles across the room and as our eyes meet, I know what I must do.

CHAPTER 11

CLARA

The shift took ages tonight and I expect it was because the tension in the air was palpable. This will be a night to remember and I am impatient for it.

Now, as I sit behind Atom on his bike, I feel like a queen. We take off from the bar and he makes a point of riding slowly through town. It’s as if he’s making a declaration. We are an item and the entire town should know about it. My parents will be horrified, along with my friends, but I’m too far off caring what anybody thinks. I am officially an adult now and can do what the hell I like and Atom will feature in my future, whether my parents like it or not.

We end up at the motorcycle repair shop on the east side of town and as we pull up; I wonder if Atom requires their services.

When we stop, he merely stares at the building and I touch his arm. “Why are we here?”

“Because in a few weeks time this place will be mine.”

“Seriously.”

My eyes widen as I stare at the building with more interest and he says proudly, “I signed the contract today. My club will move in and we will make this our clubhouse, soon to be known as The Darkside.”

“Wow. I’m impressed. What will that involve?”

He turns and I love the passion in his eyes as he grins. “Diesel will take on the motorcycle repair business and train up a few of the others to help him. Billy will set up a tattoo shop and I will move into the apartment with my sister, Tanya.”

“You’re selling your home?”

“I am.”

“But wasn’t that your grandparent’s home?”

He nods and I note the shadow in his eyes. “I’m struggling with letting it go, but it’s time to move on. I need the sale to pay the mortgage back because I don’t want that dragging me back for long.”

I’m even more impressed because it appears that Atom has longevity in mind and really wants to create something here and I wrap my arms around him and hug him hard.

“What’s that for?”

His low chuckle makes me smile. “For being amazing.”

For a second, we cling together and then he pulls back and tilts my face to his and says gruffly, “I’m doing this for my club and I’m doing it for us.”

“Us?”

My eyes shine as he includes me in his plans and yet he seems on edge as he whispers, “It’s not the palace you deserve, princess, but it’s a beginning. I can’t offer you fancy homes and cars, exotic vacations and a checking account, but I can offer you my devotion, my protection and my love.”

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