Page 38 of Riot

She settled against me again, her warm breath fanning across my chest.“I don’t think you could if you tried.It’s not in your genetic makeup.”

We lay in comfortable silence for a few minutes.Part of me couldn’t believe this was happening.Twenty-four hours ago, I was just another ex-con trying to figure out how to navigate life on the outside.Now I had a woman who was going to be my wife and a kid who, despite his threats, seemed to think I was worthy of his mother.

“I just have one thing to tell you, and I need to do it now.While I’m sure we’re alone.”

“Oh Lord,” she said with more than a hint of humor in her voice.“Here it comes.”

“Caleb scares me.If you even hint that I’ve done something he doesn’t much approve of, he will slit my Goddamned throat in my sleep.I’m not ashamed to admit I’m worried for my safety.”

“Simple solution.”

“Oh?What’s that?”

“Don’t do anything he doesn’t approve of.”

I thought about that for a moment, then grunted.“Yeah.Can’t argue with that logic.”

“He’s the best thing to ever happen to me,” she admitted softly.“But I think you’re the best thing to ever happen to me and Caleb.”She looked up at me, stark vulnerability in her gaze.“Please be that man, Quinn.”

“On my life, honey.On my life.”

Chapter Fourteen

Riot

The following week and a half were tense, but I’ve never enjoyed life more.Every morning I woke up with Violet in my arms, her warm body curled against mine like she’d always belonged there.Each day, Caleb tested me with probing questions and suspicious glances that gradually softened into something resembling respect.By the third day, he’d stopped threatening to kill me in my sleep, which I considered a major victory.

Knight had worked his magic, creating a paper trail of our marriage that would hold up under any scrutiny.According to official records, Violet and I had been married for a week.Her divorce from Harrington was finalized six months before.Sure, Harrington was gonna pitch a bitch fit when this got presented, but Knight guaranteed no one would be able to prove their divorce, our marriage, and Caleb’s adoption were anything other than legit.Lana assured me Judge Whitmore wouldn’t bat an eyelash.In fact, Knight had already been in touch with her.Apparently, she’d had a confrontation with Mr.Todd about the discrepancy and, as far as the court was concerned, the divorce and adoption was “an oversight the court deeply regrets filing incorrectly.”That’s how she put it.

Knuckles had called a meeting with the full club to announce Violet and Caleb were under Kiss of Death protection.No one questioned it.Even before they heard what Harrington had done, every brother in the room was ready to ride for my new family simply because they were mine.

“You look happy,” Violet said, leaning against the doorframe of our bedroom.She was wearing one of my T-shirts, the hem hitting her mid-thigh.The sight of her in my clothes did things to me I couldn’t put into words.

“Iamhappy,” I admitted, setting down the gun I’d been cleaning.When she raised an eyebrow, I shrugged.“Better to be prepared.None of us are supposed to have guns so we keep them in a weapons locker, hidden away.We don’t have them out much, but I’m not taking chances with you and Caleb.”

“You think he’s going to use physical force?”Violet looked worried, but I could tell she trusted me.

“I don’t know, honey.When did you last talk with Lana?”

“Yesterday,” she said.“She just said nothing new had developed and to stay with you until she said it was safe to leave.”

I frowned.“She hasn’t heard from Harrington’s lawyers?”

“I don’t know.If she has, she didn’t say.”

I put my arm around her and led her to the little oasis we’d created in the very center warehouse in our territory.We’d hollowed out the thing and put in a swimming pool.It wasn’t really fancy or anything, but it was a safe place to grill out and have a party if we wanted.Since the guys had started acquiring old ladies, they’d quickly taken over this place.

There was camo netting over the ceiling, but sunlight still filtered down.Sometimes, the girls had us remove the net to let in direct sunlight, but since Violet and Caleb got here, we decided it was best to hunker down.Which actually made this place all the better.Maybe because the enclosure was so big, or the way the sun hit the windows around the perimeter, but more sunlight came through here than anywhere else on the property inside the camo netting.This was by far Violet’s favorite place on the whole property.

“Good afternoon, Violet.”

I spun around, putting myself between Violet and the newcomer.Which was when two things happened.First, I realized it was Doug Harrington speaking.He’d somehow gotten inside the compound and hunted us down.

Then, he shot me.

“Riot!”Violet screamed as I spun around.Harrington had fired at the same time as I’d moved and managed to only graze my arm.I grunted and jerked but didn’t go down.

With a roar of fury, I launched myself at Harrington.He got off another shot but missed.I heard Violet scream and looked over my shoulder.“Vi!”If that bastard had hit her, I’d tear him apart.

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