Page 65 of Concede

Everyone leaves but me and Dom.

“What are you thinking?” Dom asks as I pour us a glass of whiskey.

“I’m thinking I’m going to have to end up killing this motherfucker before he starts a war.” I knock back my drink and hiss at the burn.

Dom drinks his and sets down his glass. “Whatever we gotta do, you know I got your back,” he says with serious eyes.

I nod and walk out into the main room. We haven't had any problems in years. We keep to ourselves, run our businesses, and stay off the Fed's radar. Doesn’t look like that’s going to be the scenario much longer with Viper pulling his shit.

I decided to go for a ride. I’ll stop and check on Ivan while I’m out and make sure no problems are coming his way. I do know I'm not letting a single dancer touch me. Last time I came back from the strip club Tanner refused to let me in her bed. If it would have been anyone else, I would have told them to fuck off, but I guess I’m a sucker for a young, smart mouthed goddess that I can’t get enough of. I ain’t making that mistake again.

I checked on Ivan. Nothing out of the ordinary has happened. Everything seems to be running smoothly. No more Feds dropping by unannounced. When I got back to the clubhouse Tanner was back. She was in our room when I went upstairs. If I am going to be what she needs me to be, I guess the first thing I need to do is always be honest with her. I know she doesn’t trust me with other women yet.

“Hey,” I say, closing the door behind me.

She is sitting on the edge of the bed taking off her sneakers. I kneeled down in front of her and helped her take the last one off.

“I just wanted you to know I had to go by Lace today and check on things with Ivan.” I glance up at her as I sit her shoe aside.

She pulls her feet up, sitting cross-legged.

“I will never lie to you, Vix. I just want to be up front, so you know I stopped by, but I swear I didn’t touch anyone, and I didn’t let anyone touch me.” I swallow and take her small hands in mine.

She stares at me for a moment. I almost start to speak again but her voice cuts the silence. “Thank you. I appreciate you telling me.” She squeezes my hands.

She reaches up to touch my jaw and I lean into her. She leans down, pulling my face towards hers and places a soft kiss on my lips. As much as I want to deepen it and push her back on this bed, I don’t. I want to respect her boundaries and when she’s ready, I'll unleash. But for now, I pull back and tuck a piece of strawberry hair behind her ear and go to take a shower.

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