Page 243 of Outlaws of Tulsa

“I have to go.”

“Dragon…”

“I said I have to go.”

“Just answer—”

“Batman.”

I gape at him, shocked that he’d use his safeword for this. But the panic in his eyes that dart everywhere but at me tells me all I need to know. Being with me, a man, is his way of trusting me. Me asking to flip the roles is too much for him. A weak spot that he’ll die to protect.

Leaning forward, I press a kiss to his chest where his heart is. It’s an intimate move, but I feel as though I need to comfort him since I’m the one responsible for forcing his safeword out of him.

“I’m going to shower and then meet up with Copper. I’ll see you around.”

His jaw clenches and he nods, still unable to look me in the eye. “Bye, Baby Prospect.”

The coldness in his words and the distance he’s quickly putting between us makes me sick to my stomach, but I respect his need for self-preservation. I was only imprisoned in that shithole for a short time and it was enough to make me an emotional basket case. I can’t imagine being taken as a teenager and spending many years in captivity.

Maybe this is the end for us.

One look at his handsome face and I know it’s another lie I tell myself.

This is only the beginning of something complicated and real and earth-shattering. Something I’m not going to survive. Something I can’t even begin to protect myself from.

I watch as he climbs out of bed and yanks his clothes on, each colorful back muscle rippling with the effort. Such a beautiful creature.

“Dragon…”

Green eyes sweep over me, darkening as he takes in my wrecked, abused body sprawled out on the bed. “Hmm?”

“Leave me alone.” I scowl at him, hiding my smile. “Forever.”

The tension bleeds from him as a grin curls his lips up and reveals all his perfect white teeth. “You know I can’t do that. Not anymore.”

That’s what I was counting on.

“Asshole.”

He laughs, winks, and then strides out of my room—out of my world—like he didn’t just take my heart with him.

I am so fucked.

Literally. Figuratively. Completely.

And, for the first time in years, there’s a stirring in my gut. An excitement, a thrill. Something unfamiliar but all-consuming.

Happiness.

It’s within reach. I just have to find a way to grab onto it.

Dragon

Katana’s presence the moment I step out of the clubhouse into the sticky Oklahoma afternoon is a salve to my singed soul. After fucking Cove, my mind is a goddamn mess. I can’t shake away the terror that crept up on me.

Night Giant.

Most days, I can keep him on the pedestal where I throw all my mental hatred at him and fantasize all the ways I’ll gut him like a fish.

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