Page 22 of Redemption

“Text your Pops and let him know you won’t be home tonight,” Vector says, his voice sounding strained. I turn to see him stretching his back before he stands up. “I could use some TLC and some loving tonight.”

“Can’t. I have an early start tomorrow,” I tell him, catching his frown as I pull the blanket up to roll it back up.

“Don’t you get time off?”

“Of course, but I prefer to use that for emergencies or vacation,” I sass back, holding firm. I have no doubt that if I start taking days off to get laid, I’ll be out of a job soon enough.

“Fair enough. I’m heading down to the Golden Hawk Casino later this week, just a few nights, but why don’t you take Friday off and come with me?”

“Where is that?” I ask, never having heard of it before and a little surprised that he’s randomly heading to a casino for a few days.

“It’s down in Cherokee, North Carolina. Roman and I are going to meet up with some buddies from a couple of other MCs,” he explains.

“Are any of them bringing a girlfr- um, a friend?” I ask, bungling the question yet not wanting to intrude on a guy-trip. I stay focused on repacking his saddlebags even as I feel him come up behind me.

“I don’t give a fuck if they are or not, I want you with me.” His deep voice in my ear is as comforting as the firmness of hisembrace. “The men I know are single, but I’m with you now, so I want you by my side.”

“So, we’re together, together?” I ask, wanting clarification on how he sees us. Turning in his arms, I look up at his face trying to get a read on his feelings.

“In case you weren’t paying attention, a few minutes back I gave you a chance to walk away, Sloane,” Vector states, cupping my face in his hands. “You’re mine now.”

“Stay with me tonight?” I ask him, feeling unaccountably shy as I focus my eyes on where his chest hair peeks out of his shirt.

“I thought you had to get to work early?”

“I mean stay with me at Pops’ house,” I explain and smile when he kisses my forehead. “My clothes and stuff are there.”

“And you’ll take Friday off?” he confirms.

“I’ll take Friday off.”

“And next time your truck needs something, my brothers will handle it. No more running off to a random mechanic,” he huffs, and while I like that he wants to take care of me—and my truck—there’s no way I’m going to let him have his way all the time.

Riding home is more exhilarating than the ride out to his secret spot. I’ve been conflicted about moving forward with him, but his patience and understanding showed me that he’s worth it. Not that I’m not completely curious about the woman he used to bring out there when he was younger, and what happened to her.

*

“Hey Pops!” I call out when I enter the kitchen. “We’ve got company.”

The house is strangely quiet, and I cut back to the far side of the kitchen, sticking my head out the door that leads to the garage.

“Everything alright?” Vector asks, placing the bag with our uneaten dinner on the counter.

“He isn’t home,” I say more to myself than in answer to his question.

Reaching into my pocket, I start to call Pops when Vector leans over to disconnect the call and tosses my phone on the counter.

“He’s a grown ass man and we’re home early,” he says, holding up his hands when I glare at him. “You are not his mommy. Give him an hour, then reach out. Do you want to eat first, or show me around?”

Leaning across the counter to him, I try to look as mischievous as possible. “You can come up to my room, but Mom says we have to keep the door open.”

“Wanna tell me about thepunksyou let hang out in your room?” he asks, crossing his arms over his chest as he frowns at me.

“Sure, right after you tell me about that harem of yours,” I reply, raising my eyebrow before turning to head upstairs.

“Babe,” he starts, the warning in his tone is loud and clear, but I just keep on walking toward the stairs.

My grandfather’s room is on this level, allowing me to have the upper floor to myself. As much as I love that man, it’s nice to have a place to unwind by myself sometimes. By the time I’ve reached the top step, Vector has paused at the bottom to tug off his boots.

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