Page 60 of Starting Over

“I understand. I told Declan I would let you know what I was planning, and let you decide what to do.” He wiped his hands up and down his face. “Family is everything. I just want a chance to know all of mine. Maybe I’ll find he is the asshole everyone thinks he is and never want to see him again. But I need to find out for myself.”

I reached over and hugged him. “I understand. Just give me a heads-up when he’s going to be here. I’ll decide what to do then.”

Hearing the door slam behind me, I let go of King and turned.

Grace stood there, glaring at the two of us.

Looking back at King, I whispered, “Talk to her.”

Standing from my seat, I grabbed my jacket. As I passed by Grace on my way out the door, she asked, “What is your deal? Why are you here?”

Sighing, I looked back at King who was watching us. “I came here looking for a simpler life than the one I had.” Turning back to Grace, I added, “I’m beginning to think that a simple life isn’t possible, no matter where you are, simply because of who you know.”

I walked outside and climbed into my truck.

Tonight, I would finally sleep in my own bed, in my own home.

One I chose, not one that was chosen for me.

I was almost home when I noticed I was being followed. It was getting dark, but still light enough to see the light bar on top of the car behind me.

Pulling into my driveway, I turned off my truck and stepped out onto the ground. Shoving the door closed, I ignored the sexy man getting out of his car and following me.

“I don’t have the energy to fight with you right now.”

“Too bad. We need to have that talk.”

“Too late. He already knows about Sal.”

Once I had the door unlocked, Declan grabbed my arm, spinning me around to face him.

“I know he knows. He came to my office.”

Opening my mouth to defend myself, he put his hand in the air. “I know you didn’t tell him. Thank you.”

“He asked me what you were keeping from him. And he asked about your parents.”

“What did you tell him?” He asked.

Looking down at where his hand still held my arm, the burn I felt from him holding me had me giving in. “You may as well come inside. It’s too cold to stand out here.”

Declan let go of my arm, and it felt colder than the air brushing across my exposed face. Following me inside, I watched as he looked around the space.

“This is what you bought? You can’t live here.”

“I can, and I do. My bedroom is finished, and there is a working bathroom upstairs. I couldn’t stay at the clubhouse anymore. I needed my own space.”

“There is nothing here.” He looked around the room at the exposed studs. “Your kitchen doesn’t have walls, let alone appliances. It’s too fucking cold to live like this, Reenie.”

Hearing him call me Reenie, like he did when we were kids, did something to me that I didn’t want to think about.

“I’m fine. I have a space heater in my bedroom.”

“Space heaters catch on fire.”

“Well, then maybe the hunky firefighters I saw in town will come rescue me.”

Declan spun around, facing me and growled at my words. “Those firefighters are all young enough to be your children.”

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