Page 35 of Trip

“Well, beautiful, It’s the one you’re getting.”

“Yeah, yeah, club business,” she mumbled as she stepped around him.

“Here you go, man.” Pound passed off their bags to Trip. He set them inside the door.

“Give me a quick second.” Trip stepped out, closing the door loosely behind him. Obviously more club business.

“Got some business to handle whenever you’re ready. Sooner rather than later might be advisable. Don’t need that hanging over your head when you ring in the new year.”

“Copy. Give me ten and have Taps meet me down there.”

“Got it.”

JJ tried to ignore their words, but cold prickles raced across her skin.

Pound’s footsteps disappeared and Trip locked the door and padded into what she assumed was the bathroom when she heard water running.

When he plopped on the bed next to her, he pulled her over and draped her chest across his.

“Babe, I gotta step out for a few minutes, but I’ll be back before you’re even out of the bath. Okay?” He kissed her roughly. “And when I get back, we’re going to see if I can’t make you squirt all over my bed before the party.”

JJ smacked his chest as embarrassment flooded her system. It didn’t last, because the cold prickles returned when she looked into his eyes. There was a disconnect in the baby blue depths that disturbed her. Their usual blue flame was ice cold.

“Is this business what I think it is?”

“Sweetheart,” he warned. “You know I won’t discuss that.”

“I know, but if this business is what I think it is, it isn’t just club business, it is us business, my business. I need to know, Trip. Please?”

The disconnect lessened and his smile was sad.

“Yeah, babe. It’s your business too. To an extent, anyway. So, yes, it is probably what you think. And no, I won’t discuss it other than to say you will never have to worry again. Neither will Meri nor the twins. You feel me?”

She nodded.

“That’s all you’re going to get. I hope it’s enough.”

The kiss they shared this time was intense, healing and acceptance, all rolled into exploring tongues and frantic lips.

“It is.” JJ never thought of herself as a violent or vengeful person, but when she heard he was around Meri and the kids, something in her broke. She wanted him to pay for every year she and Trip missed out on each other. “Make sure he knows he didn’t break me. I want his last thought to be that we are back together and we’re fine despite him.” JJ didn’t tell Trip the things Jake said that night, his reasons for doing what he did. One of them living with that knowledge was enough. But she wanted that bastard to know he hadn’t won.

Trip’s eyes went wide. There was a spark in them that told her he was okay with her ruthless side, even if she hadn’t come to terms with it yet.

“I fucking love you, babe. And first thing after the holidays, we’re going to hit the drive-thru.”

What the fuck does fast food have to do with anything? Her confusion must’ve been obvious on her face, because Trip just laughed and headed to the door.

“You’re absolutely adorable when you’re confused. Go get in the tub before it overflows. I’ll be back soon and I’ll explain the kind of drive-thru I’m talking about.”

She was racking her brain, trying to puzzle out what he meant as the door clicked shut. What else uses a drive-thru here in… oh shit. She sprinted to the door. When she flung it open, she could just see his fine ass disappearing from the hallway. “Did you just ask me to marry you, you asshole? That’s not how normal people propose,” she shouted after him. Before the door across the hall opened, she heard Trip’s laughter rolling through the building.

Taps stood across from her. “Surprise, JJ Mac, we aren’t normal people.” He stalked toward the door Trip just left through and turned before leaving. “Congrats, by the way.” He flung another of those chicken things at her. “Toodles.” Then he, too, was gone.

JJ stood in the hallway of an MC clubhouse holding a tiny rubber chicken. She realized she was getting married in the next few days and her bridegroom was off to commit a crime motivated by love and—

“Shit. My bath is overflowing.” She raced back into the room just in time to see the water kiss the rim of the claw-foot tub.

“Yep, not exactly where I thought my life would be at this age, but I’ll take it any day of the week.”

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