Page 27 of Kansas

I nodded. I had hoped she hadn’t noticed them, but I should have known better. Though the club bunnies didn’t come around often, there were a few who showed up in the evening.

Not like before the massacre, but there were some.

“You saw them, huh?”

“Kansas, I’m not stupid. I know what sex sounds like. The walls were thin in the room I was in.”

“You never said anything.”

“Why would I?” she questioned. “You and the club gave me a safe place to heal. You all took care of me and my kids. If you guys needed to find release, who was I to judge?”

“I want you to know that the kids were never around when that shit was going on.”

“I know that.” She smiled.

“I don’t deserve you,” I muttered, before getting out.

Walking over to the passenger side of my truck, I opened the door and helped her out. Reaching for her crutches in the back seat, I handed them to her. Walking beside her, I led her towards the elevator. “Come on, babe. Let me show you your new home until I can find you a proper place.”

“Kansas, I don’t want a proper home. I never did. I don’t need or want fancy. Don’t buy anything on my account. I’m happy wherever if the kids are safe.”

Nodding, I wasn’t going to fight her on it. I didn’t care either way, but I knew eventually she would want a bigger place. The penthouse was nice and all, but it wasn’t a proper home. Kali needed that. A place she could make her own. A place where the kids could run, play and be safe. As much as the apartment building offered, it was still just that, an apartment. There wasn’t even a playground. I usheredher into the elevator as Pence and Vivi followed. No one said a word as the elevator ascended and opened into the penthouse.

Walking forward, I dropped my arm as Kali walked forward, taking everything in. It wasn’t much. I only had the bare amenities. I never really stayed here. The place always felt barren to me.

It wasn’t an actual home.

“You can do what you want with this place. I’m not good at decorating. Vivi can help. There are over three thousand square feet, a large kitchen, a living room and four large bedrooms. There is also an office and another room that Mrs. Worthington can use for a small classroom.”

“Do you live here?”

I shook my head. “No. I stay at the clubhouse.”

“I see.”

“We retrofit the entire building with cameras and a state-of-the-art security system. There is a fire suppression system that kicks in case of a fire and the master bedroom doubles as a safe room. The only way to access the building is with a code. So, you and the kids will be perfectly safe here. Plus, the clubhouse is right across the road. We can be to you in seconds if shit goes sideways.”

“Thank you.”

She’d gone quiet on me.

I didn’t understand why. One minute, she was smiling and happy. Now she’d shut down and closed herself off. I said nothing more as I watched her slowly walk around the empty penthouse, stopping as she looked out the large windows facing the clubhouse.

Vivi cleared her throat and narrowed her eyes at me. Taking the hint, I walked over to Kali and stood behind her. “You okay, babe?”

“It’s just a lot to take in.”

Reaching around her, I pulled her back towards me until her body was flush against mine. I noticed she was stiff and sighed. “I’m thinking you’ve misunderstood me, Kali. When I said I don’t live here, I meant I’ve never had a reason to. I stay at the clubhouse because it’s convenient. Now it’s not.”

“I don’t understand?”

Turning her to face me, I cupped her face with my hands and kissed her forehead. “We built this place after. We didn’t know what the future would hold, but we all agreed when the brothers claimed their ol’ ladies, they couldn’t stay in the club anymore. Pence refused to let Vivi anywhere near the club for the longest time. Two brothers have sisters and they agreed. After what happened, no matter what, we wanted our families safe. So, we built this place. Yes, this floor is mine, but I’ve never had a reason to stay here. I do now. This place isn’t permanent. Think of it like a home away from home until we can find a proper house.”

“I don’t need a proper house, Kansas.”

I tried not to let her words hit me, but they did. I flat out refused to have what happened to Katie happen to Kali. I wouldn’t survive it a second time. Though Kali wasn’t Katie, Kali had a lot more to lose if I gave in and something happened. I just needed her to understand what I was saying and suggesting was the right thing to do. No matter what, Kali and the kids’ safety was my responsibility.

“Yeah, you do, honey. Hellraiser alone will get bored here. There is nothing for her to do. There isn’t even a playground. You and the kids need an actual home, with a big yard. If we can’t find a place that works, then I’ll build you your dream house. Until then, you and the kids will stay here. You are mine, Kali. You have my ring on your finger. Where you and the kids are, I will be.”

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