Page 44 of Hateful Union

I realise that what I was doing with Raylee was never the way to go. I’ve got a fuck load to make up for and I’m going to make her see that I want her and only her.

“He was a CI?” Christian says quietly. “How the fuck did we not know this? What the hell is going on with our Intel, Mal?”

That’s what I’d like to know.

“It’s time to start going elsewhere for what we need. Right now, we can’t trust anyone.”

He nods. “Our priority is keeping the girls safe. There’s no way they’re going to walk away from this and we’re going to have to make sure that they’re safe at every turn.”

“Nothing can happen to her.” I’d lose my damn mind.

He smiles. “It’s about time,” he grunts. “It’s finally good to see you with a good woman.”

He’s right, Sienna was a cunt, she used me and was the one that fed us the majority of information we have on the Silvers. That’s something that Raylee and I are going to have to discuss, what the fuck was up with that bitch.

“Once the men arrive, I’ll have them set up around the perimeter. Talk to her about her living with you. It’ll be the best and safest place for her to be.”

Having her in my house, in my bed. It’s where she’s meant to be.

“You’ve got your work cut out for you,” he grins.

“That’s your fucking fault,” I grouse with little heat. “You need to learn when to shut the fuck up.”

The door opens again and Raylee’s standing there with her arms crossed over her chest. “Gabs is ordering pizza, what do you want?”

I get to my feet and walk over to her. “Christian will tell her.” I pull her into my arms once I’m within touching distance and as soon as I wrap my arms around her, she presses her cheek against my chest. “I’m sorry.”

She leans back and looks up at me. “For what?”

Jesus, where the hell do I begin?

“For a hell of a lot of things, trying to fucking use you to get to your family. For being a complete and utter bastard, you name it, I’ve done it.”

She actually smiles, “Gabby says it’s our foreplay.” She giggles and I rest my forehead against hers. “What’s happened, happened. We both said shit that was out of line and, Mal, as much as I’d like to deny it, you’re actually hot when I piss you off.”

Fuck. She’s bloody perfect.

“So I should expect you to do it often?”

She grins wide. “Well that depends on how much you piss me off.”

Now, her being pissed is something to behold.

“Thanks for giving us a chance.” I place a soft kiss against her lips and love that she leans in, wanting more. Not now, that’ll come later.

“I’m just glad that you wanted that chance.”

I kiss her once more, again, soft and chaste. “I’m staying, for however long you’re here. I’m staying.”

Her golden eyes deepen with emotion. “Okay,” she breathes. “We’re here for a week, I need space from my family. It’s hard to keep pretending that I don’t know anything. I needed a break.”

“You never have to explain yourself to me. You haven’t met my ma and, baby, if you ever do,” which I hope she never does, “brace. ‘Cause she’s a bitch.”

“So my dad’s an arsehole and your mum’s a bitch. Sounds like it’ll be good at family events.”

God, why the fuck was I fighting this for so long?

I understand now what Danny meant when he talked about Melissa when they first got married. He wasn’t in love with her, but there was something there. He told me that she infuriated him more than anyone, but made him want to protect her in ways no one had ever done before. That he knew she was his from almost the get-go.

---