Page 38 of Nova

"Don't place me on a pedestal like that." Promise stares at her lap, wringing her hands together. "I'm nowhere close to being perfect, Cain."

"Says who?" Piper unbuckles, leaning between the front seats. "None of us are flawless, but we are all perfect in our own ways." I stare out the windshield listening to my daughter. She just went through hell herself, and she's lifting Promise with her kindness. My heart swells. "So, who's to say you're not perfect just the way you are?" Piper throws her arms around my neck. "Take my dad, for instance. He is the best damn waffles maker in the world. He can build a motorcycle from the ground up, and is an artistic genius, but the man doesn't know how to put the toilet seat down." My daughter kisses my cheek. "But I think he's pretty damn perfect."

Promise throws her head back with laughter, and my shoulders shake with amusement. "You two are too much." Promise continues to giggle.

A small car pulls up beside my truck, and I recognize London behind the wheel. Climbing out of the truck, I open my daughter's door, before moving around to Promise's side. She swings the door open. "I can open my own door, Cain."

"Not when I'm around." I hold out my hand for her to take as she steps down.

"Damn. The man opens doors for you, and he's fine," Promise's friend London says, rounding the front of the truck. "So, what are we here for?" She looks around before her eyes settle on me.

"The two of you serious about opening your own firm?" I ask as I insert the key into the deadbolt, unlocking the front door to the building. London looks to Promise, her brow raised. I push open the door, allowing Piper, Promise, and London to step inside, then look to Kiwi who's still sitting on his bike. "Keep watch," I order and he nods.

Letting the door close behind me, I walk around, lifting the shades covering the four large windows. Sunlight filters in, showing more of the space. The girls walk around, taking it all in. "How did you find this place?" Promise asks as she runs her hand across the shiplap walls, then over the exposed brown brick of the fireplace.

"The club owns it. It used to be a boarding house back in the day. As you can tell, this space has been completely gutted, taken down to the original woodwork. There was once four separate rooms and one bath, but that was all ripped out by the guy we bought it from a few years ago. Anyway, With a little work, I think you two could make it into something."

London's eyes widen. "You're shitting me." Her head whips in the opposite direction to look at Promise. "Is this guy for real?"

"Cain. It's too much." Promise locks her eyes with mine.

Crossing the room, I pull her body against mine. "You need a job, correct?"

Promise swallows, her eyes falling to my lips. "Yes, but..."

I shift my attention to London, still speechless. "London, are you happy with your current employment?"

"Fuck no," London says, then turns to Piper, who is standing beside her. "Shit, excuse my language." This causes Piper to laugh.

"Trust me; these ears have heard worse."

"Thank fuck," London sighs. "I don't exactly have a filter," she admits.

"You should fit in just fine," Piper offers London a red licorice stick, which earns her a smile. "Well," Piper looks my way. "Proceed to swoon."

My kid.I shake my head.

God bless the man who catches her. They'll be in for the ride of their life.

I clear my throat, my eyes settling on Promise's blue ones."What do you say?"

"I need to talk with London. Maybe give it some thought." Promise bites her bottom lip.

"What is there to discuss? I say hell, yes. It's what we've always wanted, Promise. I'm all in if you are." London steps forward.

Promise finally nods, her eyes lifting to mine again. "You're sure about this? I mean, what if we don't stay together. What if this," Promise waves her hand between us, "doesn't work?"

"Like I told you before, babe. This—you and me. It's happening. I believe in you, and so does the club." Tears pool in her eyes, one slipping down her cheek.

"You believe in me?" her voice comes out as a whisper.

I cup her face in the palms of my hands, my mouth watering with the need to press my lips to hers. "I believe in you, Sugar. The place is yours if you want it." I keep my eyes fixed on her face.

"Okay." Promise gives me an easy smile, and I grin like the lovesick fool I am, then capture her mouth with mine, leaving both of us breathless when I pull away.

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