Page 25 of Bully's Darkness
“It’s too saturated already,” agrees Taz.
“Word on the streets is that spice is rife,” Lords chips in. “I’m volunteering on the streets next week in the town centre. I’ll get people talking.”
Smiler pulls out his mobile and shows us the damage from the fire we started a few nights ago. “I got a guy in the fire service who sent me these.”
I smirk. “I hear they’re still in there though.”
He nods. “Yep, the fire didn’t touch upstairs. There’s an entire floor they can live on.”
“Good,” I say. “I want them where I can see them. We’ll wait, see if they retaliate.”
“And when they do?” asks Ragnar.
“We’ll be ready.”
I’m heading out when Liv steps in front of me. “I want to talk,” she says.
I inwardly groan. I’m so sick of arguing with her, and I really just want to get out of here for a quiet ride. I hold up the bike keys. “I’m riding out.” Disappointment fills her expression, so I add, “You wanna come?” A smile pulls at her lips, and she nods, following me out.
I drive for half an hour. The sense of freedom it gives me instantly lifts my mood, and as I slow into a car park, I’m glad Liv came with.
I take her hand and lead her to the edge of the hill. It’s the perfect spot to watch the sunset, a place I’ve been coming to since I was a kid. A place I vowed to bring Liv to while I was banged up inside.
“Wow,” she whispers, taking it all in. “This is beautiful.”
I lay out my jacket so she can sit on the grass, then I drop down beside her. “I’ve been thinking over our argument,” I say.
“About that . . .”
“Let me say this,” I tell her, “or I’ll mess it all up again.” She gives a nod. “I love you. It’s always been you. And yeah, before, when we first met, I was an idiot and I thought I could have it all. Club whores threw themselves at me the second I became VP. I hurt you, over and over, but you stuck around. And I appreciatethat. I’m done with other women and stupid games. I just want you, Liv.”
“I spoke to Bria,” she almost whispers. “She kind of agreed with you. I am holding on to some kind of anger and blame, but I know it’s not our fault. I’m sorry.”
I brush a hand over her cheek and cup her face. “The club is my life, Liv, but so are you. Don’t tell me I can’t have both. Please.”
“We’ll try,” she says, and my heart swells. “I can’t promise it’ll work. But I will do my best to support you.”
I slam my lips against her in a bruising kiss. “Thank you.”
We stare out at the sinking sunset. “You were wrong before,” I say, and I feel her look at me. “I do know things about you. You like vanilla ice cream with pecans. You drink decaf everything because caffeine makes your heart race and you hate the feeling. You like gin, lemon is your favourite, and if you could, you’d home a thousand dogs.” I turn to her, and she’s smiling. “You like hot baths and white roses. Chocolate with salty crisps,” I grin, “at the same time.”
“It’s nice,” she argues, laughing.
I climb onto my knees and lean forward so she has to lie back. I lift her top slightly and kiss her stomach. “You want children, two. You want to get married, but you don’t want the traditional white wedding because you hate to be stared at.” I glance up, and there’s heat in her eyes. “You like to be on top, but you also like me to be in charge.” I gently bite her nipple through her shirt, and she gasps. “You give the best blowjobs in the world.” She laughs out loud. “And when you walk into a room, it lights up. I hate that men stare at you, but at the same time, I’m amazed you don’t pay them any attention. I love you, Liv. I always have and I always will.”
“I love you too,” she replies, running her hands through my hair. “I’m sorry for everything.”
I brush a finger over my name tattooed across her collarbone. “We belong together. You know that.” I kiss her one last time before standing and holding out my hands for her. She grabs them, and I pull her to her feet. “Now, let’s get back so I can get you naked.”
Chapter Eight
Bully
I’m hot . . . too hot, and I throw the sheets back and sit, glancing down to see Liv curled up naked. I smile. It feels good to have her back on side, because even with the five years apart, things felt heavy.
I throw my legs over the edge and grab my jeans, tugging them on before heading for the door. It still feels weird being able to leave my room in the middle of the night, and I laugh to myself as I head downstairs.
Poison is in the kitchen, naked and downing a glass of water. She eyes me with a sexy grin as I pass her to turn the kettle on. “Can’t sleep?” she purrs.
