Page 52 of No Perfect Love

“I wish you were my mom.”

Thankfully, Lucas can’t see the silent tears that track down my face. He can’t see the anguish that overtakes my entire heart and soul.

My voice breaks, and I barely manage a whisper. “Me too.”

If only wishes could fix the damage that has been done to me. But there is nothing left. Nothing.

19

CARTER

My throat dries up as I step into the clubhouse, and I know that I have multiple sets of eyes on me, all at once. But there is no backing down, not now. Even if my stomach turns and I have to swallow the bile back down before I throw up from nerves.

“Deacon,” the bartender calls out over the noise blaring through the club. I recognize her from the bar the night of Keegan’s funeral. “Your sister’s man is here.”

Deacon turns around, an older version of him standing by his side, and they both start walking in my direction. Alex James, former biker and one of the founders of the Twisted Kings, smiles warmly at me even though in our current surroundings, I’m his enemy. His leather reflects in the light around us, and the skull on his cut gleams bright. Next to Deacon’s, though, it seems ancient.

Every single person in the clubhouse stops what they are doing to watch our interaction. Clearly, there is the expectation of trouble, but I don’t have a choice about my attire. This is literally the only time I can get away. So, I’m standing in the middle of the Twisted Kings clubhouse, in my full police uniform, and there will not be very many happy campers about that.

I meet Deacon and his father in the middle of the room, and the song playing through the speakers cuts off abruptly.

“Everyone, out.” Deacon’s voice booms. “We’ve got business. Sissy, you wanna grab us a few drinks on your way out?”

Less than ten seconds later, we are completely alone, and all the nerves I’ve tried to bury come rushing out.

“Here.” Deacon shoves the beer into my hand. “Just take a sip. It’ll calm your nerves.”

I shake my head and hand it back. “Sorry, man. I’m on the clock. Can’t. You understand.”

My fucking palms choose that moment to sweat, and I can see the light shining brighter. Seems like the perfect time to have my first ever panic attack.

“I want to marry Avery,” I spit out.

There. Finally, I fuckin’ say it. I silently dare either of them to tell me no.

“I’ve known that since you took a hit meant for me.” Deacon laughs.

His father looks at us both, eyebrows raised. “He did what?”

Deacon sits down, waving both of us down with him, and drinks the beer he’d offered me. “Seriously, Dad. You should have seen it. One of the guys lost his temper and a bar fight popped up. Some drunk asshole from out of town thought it’d be a great idea to punch the Prez, and Carter here stepped up at the right time.”

“Why are you asking permission to marry her, though?” Alex asks me. “You have to know that’s not a good idea.”

“Oh.” I shake my head. “I’m not an idiot. I’m not asking your permission. Are you kidding me? If Avery thought for a minute that any of us considered her to be property, we’d all be castrated and left for dead. I’mtellingyou. I’m going to marry your daughter. I love her, and I know she loves me.”

“She’s said it, then?” Deacon sips his beer, watching me closely.

I don’t even flinch. “You know her better than that. I don’t need to hear the words. I see them. In the way she’s there. In the way she yells at me. When she offers to rub my neck. And yeah, if you must know,” I add. “Avery talks in her sleep.”

“If you’re not here for permission,” Alex interrupts, “then why are you here?”

“Because I respect you.” I put my hands on the table. “Avery’s a teacher, but she’s still part of your world. And the news that she’s marrying a cop isn’t going to sit well with people in your world. I thought you might want a heads-up, to mitigate any of the fallout, ya know?”

“I’m impressed,” Alex says quietly. “It’s not many men who would even get involved with a woman like Avery, knowing who her family is. But you’ve done it, jumped in with both feet.”

I shrug, realizing that I need to be honest.

“You know she saved my life, right?”

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