Page 75 of Misery and Ecstasy

“Oh, yeah?”

“Mmm…”

“Yeah, okay, thanks. I’ll tell her. You guys get home safe.”

“Yup. See ya.”

He’s quiet for a second, staring at the screen of his phone before speaking again. “Atticus and everyone say hello and they hope you feel better soon.”

“That was nice of them.” And I truly mean that.

After church that night at the clubhouse, I got to talk to a few of the guys as more than just someone in the passenger seat of their cars who didn’t want to be there. With the pretense of scary, threatening gangsters stripped away, I got to see that they’re really just a group of normal fucking dudes.

And Royce.

“Yeah. I told you they like you.”

“I’m actually a little bummed that I didn’t get to go on the ride today. And I still feel bad that you had to miss it.”

Draven takes my hand in his again, squeezing it firmly between his palms before kissing the back of it. Through the pain, I melt.

“Kins, I wasexactlywhere I needed and wanted to be today.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

DRAVEN

It’s been a week since McKinsey was treated in the ER.

She says she’s feeling a little better and does seem to be… Mostly. But I don’t miss the way she closes her eyes in pain here and there, or the way she rubs at her temples, trying to relieve some of the lingering ache in her head.

After a month of arguing with me about not wanting to sleep over at the clubhouse, she actually agreed to stay here last night. I was worried her pain has killed a little of the fire she has in her, but it could be that she’s becoming more comfortable being around my brothers.

Which is something I want almost as much as I want her.

“Hey. Come here.” I gently grab onto her as she approaches where I’m perched on the side of my bed, tucking her between my legs. “Do you think you can handle a little fresh air? Maybe a short ride on the bike?”

She looks down at me as she finishes securing her necklace.

“I don’t know. The wind whipping in my face doesn’t really sound like fun right now.”

“What if I promise to go slow?” I thread my fingers through hers, loving the feel of her skin against mine. “I’ll try to minimize any friction from the wind.”

“Sure. Why not?” Shrugging, she gives in easily again, and I almost change my mind. But when she throws her hands around my neck and presses her lips to mine, I lose all conscious thought.

I let her lead, and her lips linger for so long, I want to forget about the ride and throw her into bed. But there’s some place I’d like to take her.

“Okay…” Reluctantly, I pull away from her. “If we don’t leave now, I’ll change my mind and lock us both in this room for the rest of the day.

“Would that really be so bad?” she smirks as I take her by the hand and lead her into the hallway.

Looking back at her, I smile and shake my head before descending the stairs.

Stopping off in the living room before we make our way to the garage, I grab a blanket, tucking it under my arm to bring with us.

“Where are you taking me that we’ll need that?” She arches a brow skeptically.

“Just in case we end up staying for a while and you need a place to sit.”

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