Page 47 of Savage

“Londyn Hollings. She lives in the city, but I have no idea where.”

“Okay. Shouldn’t be too hard to track her down.”

“I need everything you can find on her, brother. And I mean everything, especially over the last five years.”

“I’m on it," Bones replied, his fingers already clacking away on his keyboard.

I didn’t want to waste time, so I changed out of my suit and put on a T-shirt and jeans I had stashed in my dresser. I grabbed my spare boots from the closet, and I’d just slipped them on when Bones announced, “Okay. I think I found it.”

“Good. What’d you find?”

“Looks like she’s been living in an apartment on 5th Street for almost a year. Before that, she lived near campus. Looks like she’s working as a legal aid or something at the Richland firm on South. Other than that, there's not much else on her, but I can keep digging.”

“Thanks, brother. Text me her number and address and email me the rest.”

“You got it.”

I hung up the phone, and in a blink, a message came through from Bones. I got the number and used it to send Londyn a message, then shoved my phone in my back pocket and started out the door. I was just about to reach the back door when I heard Rooster call out to me, “Where ya headed, brother?”

“I gotta go talk to her.”

“Figured that was coming... You need a ride?”

“Nah, I’ll just take Betty.”

I had two bikes—a newer Street Glide Harley and Betty. Betty was my ol’ man’s Tour Glide. He’d gotten right after he and my mother married, and I’d been working for the past couple of years to get her back in pristine shape. And I’d done it. She was up and running, and I was eager to get rolling.

Rooster must’ve sensed my impatience and didn’t bother arguing. He simply nodded and said, “Just let me know if you need me.”

“You know I will.”

I headed out to the parking lot, and once I got over to my bike, I kicked my leg over the seat and slipped on my helmet. Seconds later, I was through the gate and driving towards the address Bones had sent me. I had so many things I wanted to say to her, but I had to be careful with my words. I couldn't just show up on her doorstep and expect her to just forget the past and welcome me with open arms.

It was going to take time—for both of us.

When I got to her place, I took a deep breath and got off my bike, then made my way up to Londyn’s front door. I took a deep breath and raised my hand to knock, hesitating only for a moment before finally making contact with the door. After what felt like an eternity, Londyn opened the door, and she looked absolutely stunning. She was wearing a simple white nightgown that hugged her curves in all the right places, and her hair was pulled back in a messy bun.

“Malcomb.” Her brows furrowed with a mix of anger and confusion. “What are you doing here.”

“I told you. We need to talk.”

“It’s three in the morning.”

“I know what time it is, Londyn, and I don’t care. I’m not waiting another second.”

On impulse, I stepped forward, closing the distance between us, then slipped my arms around her, pulling her close. She didn’t resist as I lowered my mouth to hers, kissing her with a passion that words could never express. As our lips parted, Londyn let out a soft moan, giving me all the encouragement I needed. I ran my hands down the sides of her body, feeling the curves of her hips and the softness of her thighs. She pressed herself against me, her body molding perfectly to mine. I could feel her heat even through the fabric of her nightgown.

I released her mouth as I stepped forward, pinning her back against the wall. “Fuck, I’ve missed you.”

She looked up at me with a look of longing in her eyes as she muttered, “I’ve missed you, too but...”

“Before you say anything, I need to tell you that I’m sorry. I’m sorry about it all.”

“But it’s not that simple.” She took a step back, breaking our embrace. “I know about Dad and what he said to you.”

“What?” I gasped, unable to hide my surprise.

“He finally broke down and told me tonight.” I could see the anguish in her eyes as she told me, “He should’ve never said those things to you, Malcomb. They weren’t true... I wasn’t better off without you. Please tell me you know that.”

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