Page 52 of Wolf

Silence greets me and I tilt my head to eye him sideways. He contemplates my words before running his hands through his hair, leaving the strands adorably disheveled when he drops his arms back to his sides and says in a tone so low, I shiver, “Why the fuck would they try pin us for prostitution?”

“So, you don’t…do that?” I whisper and his brows drop over his eyes.

“No, Lilli, we don’t sell our women.”

Okay. That’s good, I guess but…ourwomen?

Wolf’s fingers curl into fists and I bite my lip. Despite barely knowing him, I’m not afraid. However, instinct is screaming at me to step away from the strike zone.

Instead, I hold my ground as Wolf turns away and begins to pace along the tight corridor between the bed and kitchenette.

Doc watches him for a moment and then says, “What now?”

Disturbed by the distance Wolf has created between us and with shame coursing through my system at what I suspect is disappointment on Wolf’s end, I avert my gaze and whisper, “They’re coming after Miriam, too.”

“Miriam?” Doc asks.

“Duke’s girl,” Wolf mumbles before rubbing the back of his neck. “Fuck!”

I will back tears but when I blink, it’s no use and they fall. Why I even care is beyond me, but I know that I’m confirming his words about me being a big baby and my cheeks heat when he stares at me with his brows over his eyes.

After a moment, I whisper, “It’s my fault.”

His scowl slips away and with a sigh, he grabs my arm before pulling me against his warm chest. Burrowing into his warmth, I bite my lip and shudder as he says, “It’s not your fault, baby girl.”

“I don't know what to do,” I sob as he brushes his hand through my hair.

“You’ll do nothing.” His steely tone cascades along my skin like ice and I suck in a breath when I meet his gaze. There’s an intensity that makes me pause and I can’t put my finger on it, but I know this is the Wolf who belongs to the Shadow Saints MC.

“You understand? I’ll take care of it,” he says.

Does this change how I feel? No, which should be a disturbing notion, but it just isn’t. Wolf makes me feel safe and that’s what I cling to as I say, “Okay.”

The tension drains from his shoulders at my acquiescence, and I finish my exam quietly. Afterward, Doc says, “It may be a concussion. Need to watch her for signs for the next twenty-four hours.”

Twenty-four hours? Yeah, not possible.

“I’m fine,” I say, earning twin looks of disbelief before I hold out my hands. “I have to go home.”

Doc looks at Wolf who grunts and rubs his head before saying, “Who’s going to make sure you’re okay?”

“My sister, Rae. It’s fine.”

Although I feel a bloom of warmth at his concern, I push it aside. I can’t afford to see things that aren’t there. He may have introduced me to pleasure but I’m quite sure he’s not prepared to be exclusive, and I can’t imagine being one of the many.

“You’ll stay home? Do not come looking for me. Do not come looking for your sister,” he says with a frown.

“Okay,” I say, stifling a sigh. I guess my days of being wild are over. Looks like my road was chosen for me. Too bad my chest aches at the notion.

“I’ll take you home. Thanks, Doc,” Wolf says before holding the door open for me.

With a wan smile, I say to the grizzled older man, “Thank you.”

He smiles, his eyes twinkling, and says, “Take care of yourself, missy.”

After stepping through the door, I wobble in the dirt and swallow past the emotion pushing at my throat. Just because I know I’m better off leaving things with Wolf as they are, it doesn’t mean never seeing him again doesn’t hurt my soul.

He may be gruff and a whore as Mama would say, but he made my soul sing and I’m afraid to go back to the darkness. Will I wither away there?

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