Page 64 of Surrender (Angels Halo MC Next Gen)

I need him to be mine.

Only a few minutes passed before he returned, carefully placing two boxes in the passenger seat before putting the truck in gear and turning for the apartment complex. My heart was pounding so hard, it felt like I’d run faster and harder than I ever had before, but I hadn’t even moved since he’d stopped in front of Aggie’s. Squishing down the hurt that tried to consume me, I attempted to catch his gaze in the mirror, but he didn’t shift his eyes from the road for the rest of the drive.

When he eased the truck into his usual spot outside the apartments, dread filled me. Maybe if we didn’t go inside, he wouldn’t break my heart.

Picking up the to-go containers, he stepped out. I remained where he’d placed me, digging my fingers into the seat. Moments later, he jerked the door open. “Let’s go.”

“Why are you so angry?” I whispered, unable to hide the wobble in my voice.

A muscle in his jaw began to tick. “Out. Now.”

On legs that only slightly trembled, I slid out. Heart pounding so hard, I wondered if I was having a panic attack, I walked beside him up to the third floor.

Using his key, he unlocked my door and held it open. Daisy was where I’d left her, still on her pile of blankets, watching the nature channel. She gave us a sweet meow in welcome, but there was some kind of lemur scurrying across the screen that kept her enraptured.

I stood just a few feet inside the apartment while Elias carried the two boxes to the kitchen. Setting them on the island, he kicked a stool out. “Sit.”

Wrapping my arms around myself, I shook my head.

“Samara, sit your ass down and eat your dinner.”

“I-I can’t,” I choked out. Unable to look at him without crying, I focused on the containers. “I’ll throw up if I try to eat right now.”

Muttering a savage curse to himself, he picked up the boxes and placed them both in the fridge. “Go to bed. I need to make sure Daisy is settled and lock up.”

Hope made me dizzy. I struggled to catch my breath. “You… Are you staying?”

Groaning, he scrubbed a hand over the scruff on his jaw before squeezing the back of his neck. “Go to bed, little girl. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

It didn’t matter that it was ridiculously early on a Saturday night. He said he was staying, and that was all I cared about.

In my bedroom, I quickly changed into one of his T-shirts and fresh panties. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I waited.

Even though he was mad about something, he said he was going to spend the night with me. He still wanted me. Whatever was wrong, I had a chance to fix it.

Please let me be able to fix it.

When the bedroom door opened, I had to bite the inside of my lips together to keep from moaning my relief. Part of me had feared he would change his mind and go to his own apartment.

Or worse…

Go to Berkeley.

Mine!

He’d taken off his cut. As soon as the door shut, he reached for his belt.

“Stand up,” he directed as he walked toward me.

My entire body trembling, I stood. As soon as he reached me, he grabbed the hem of the shirt I wore and jerked it up over my head, leaving me in only a pair of panties.

His breath hissed out of him as he stared down at me. Lifting a hand, he traced his index finger around my right nipple. It was already puckered, but at his touch, it tightened even more.

Trailing his hand down, he pushed my panties over my hips. “Step out of them.”

Afraid to take my eyes off him, I kicked them away.

Elias grabbed me by my elbows and turned me. Confused when nothing else happened, I glanced at him over my shoulder. “What—”

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