Page 27 of Blood and Honor

Shortly after, we fell asleep, entangled in each other’s arms, waking up and making love throughout the night.

The next morning, I woke up before him and was the first to jump in the shower. I didn’t know when Nate was coming, and I didn’t want to make him wait. I was just getting dressed just as Eli was rolling over, reaching for me in his sleep. Coming up empty, he opened one eye, raising slightly up from the bed. “You leaving so soon?”

My phone dinged and I didn’t have to look at it to know it was Nate.

“Yeah, Nate’s on his way.” I kissed him, but he pulled me onto the bed with him as I laughed. “Eli, I have to go.”

He let out an exasperated breath. “If you must.” He sat up and scrubbed his hand over his face. “We’re going to have to do something about this. I want us to move in together.”

I shrugged, smiling. “You could always move into the Kingsley Compound and live with me.”

He chuckled. “Yeah. Like that’ll go over real well with my dad.”

I shrugged. “So, join the Kingsley Family. Be my second.”

He stared at me in disbelief, but the wheels were turning. I could tell.

I let out a deep breath as I checked my phone. I was right. Nate was waiting downstairs.

“I want to ask you something, but I don’t want to irritate you.” He sat up, the offer I’d just made forgotten. He gazed into my eyes as the unspoken question filled the space between us.

“I’m okay, Wolfie.” A small smile lit my lips. “I promise.”

He smiled. “Okay. I’ll believe you until you give me a reason to doubt.”

I returned his smile and gave him another quick kiss. “I’ll see you later, but think about what I just said.” I kissed him on the forehead and rushed out the bedroom door.

I’m in the driveway,Nate texted.

On my way now,I replied.

I grabbed my purse and headed out the door, wondering if Eli and I could ever work this out. I wanted to be with him every night, too, but the only way it would work was if he joined my family. And I didn’t see that happening any time soon.

Chapter 10

Addie

I didn’t call the meeting, someone else did, but we all worked our way into the dining room that night, one by one. No one was smiling except for me. I was perfectly content. Well, not content but…

I was going to sit in my usual seat, but when I walked into the room and saw my father, I sat next to him. He blinked and then smiled.

“Who called this meeting?” he asked once everyone found their seats.

Anthony stood up. “We need to know what the fuck is going on here?”

“What do you mean?” I asked as innocently as I could muster.

“Are we still opening the club?”

“Yes,” I replied. “It’s not ready yet so there’s nothing to say. When it is, we will have a sit-down to discuss.”

Anthony scoffed. “What about Lenny and his gang?”

“What about them?” I shrugged, glancing around the room. Peter looked at me, a permanent scowl on his face. They were not happy, and I didn’t know why. But frankly, I didn’t care. How they felt didn’t matter to me anymore. I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not, but it definitely made me feel better.

“Are we going to find them?”

“We did,” Nate and I said in unison.

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