it wasn’t much needed, but still. I hated falling apart and for the past few months of my life, that was all I had seemed to do. This shit was getting old. While I had laid next to Luke, pretending to sleep for the past hour, I had had an epiphany. Luke didn’t fall in love with me because I was some weak woman who needed him. He fell in love with me because I was, well, me. I was a strong, independent, self-righteous woman, who didn’t need any man telling her what to do or running her life. I always got what I wanted, and this time was no different. I was not intimidated by Red. She wasn’t going to scare me off, and if that was her plan then she had better rethink it and consider who she was fucking with. I would no longer be that blubbering mess of a fragile human being. No, starting right now, I was going to be the woman that I knew how to be all too well. The Dallas Knox this cruel world had turned me into. Now, here I sat, on Luke’s bed, watching as his acknowledgment of my independent actions surfaced in his brain. He clearly had something to say, and I knew it would not be good. I also knew that I would deal with it as best as I could, and if I couldn’t, I damned sure wouldn’t make the mistake of falling apart in front of him and his family, again.
“I don’t expect you to tell me everything. That is not my expectation. What I do expect is for you to tell me things that concern me. I will not be a victim of Red’s bullying, nor will I tolerate you keeping secrets from me that could affect us and our relationship. So, whatever you have to say just spit it out. And don’t ever treat me like I am some hopeless, frail woman that you have to shelter from the world. You brought me here because you knew I could handle it. Don’t fucking play these games with me, Luke. I’m not as brittle as you think.” I felt my heart beating harder in my chest , as the words flew from my mouth. I knew Luke was trying to shield me, but damn that. And damn him for not having enough confidence in me to endure whatever he had to say. He seemed to enjoy my outburst, and fought hard to contain his smile. His lips twitched and he looked away, but I could tell it delighted him to know that I had not lost my touch.
“You are so fucking incredible. Do you know that?” he asked, smirking at me, causing my moment of pissed off boldness to disintegrate , like sugar in a hot cup of coffee. Why did he always have to do that to me? He knew he had me when my traitorous body relaxed in a sigh. “I don’t want Red bullying you. I don’t want any of the ladies to make you feel like you are less than they are. You are all just ol’ ladies. Red sometimes acts as though she wears a patch herself, and I will make sure she knows her place before I leave.” I felt a twinge of satisfaction, knowing that Luke was going to straighten Red out, but it was washed away at the word ‘leave.’ Not giving my brain enough time to process his comment, he continued, “Lake Charles is having an issue with a club. The club is big and has chapters in 47 states. They came in, trashed some bars, disrespected some citizens, and are making a bad name for MCs. We have fought like hell for the right to wear this cut, and we refuse to let someone take that from us. There is talk that this club is bringing in reinforcements, following an altercation they had with some of the guys. I need to be there. Know that I want to be with you, but this is where I belong. There will be times when you can’t come with me, Dallas, and this is one of those times.” He was silently begging for understanding, but there was no need. I knew this was something Luke had to do and I had plenty to keep me busy around here anyway.
“I understand. This is what you need to do and I respect that. All I ask is that you be careful and come back home to me. In one piece,” I added, watching as his eyebrows shot to his hairline. Clearly, he wasn’t expecting that kind of
“I don’t expect you to tell me everything. That is not my expectation. What I do expect is for you to tell me things that concern me. I will not be a victim of Red’s bullying, nor will I tolerate you keeping secrets from me that could affect us and our relationship. So, whatever you have to say just spit it out. And don’t ever treat me like I am some hopeless, frail woman that you have to shelter from the world. You brought me here because you knew I could handle it. Don’t fucking play these games with me, Luke. I’m not as brittle as you think.” I felt my heart beating harder in my chest , as the words flew from my mouth. I knew Luke was trying to shield me, but damn that. And damn him for not having enough confidence in me to endure whatever he had to say. He seemed to enjoy my outburst, and fought hard to contain his smile. His lips twitched and he looked away, but I could tell it delighted him to know that I had not lost my touch.
“You are so fucking incredible. Do you know that?” he asked, smirking at me, causing my moment of pissed off boldness to disintegrate , like sugar in a hot cup of coffee. Why did he always have to do that to me? He knew he had me when my traitorous body relaxed in a sigh. “I don’t want Red bullying you. I don’t want any of the ladies to make you feel like you are less than they are. You are all just ol’ ladies. Red sometimes acts as though she wears a patch herself, and I will make sure she knows her place before I leave.” I felt a twinge of satisfaction, knowing that Luke was going to straighten Red out, but it was washed away at the word ‘leave.’ Not giving my brain enough time to process his comment, he continued, “Lake Charles is having an issue with a club. The club is big and has chapters in 47 states. They came in, trashed some bars, disrespected some citizens, and are making a bad name for MCs. We have fought like hell for the right to wear this cut, and we refuse to let someone take that from us. There is talk that this club is bringing in reinforcements, following an altercation they had with some of the guys. I need to be there. Know that I want to be with you, but this is where I belong. There will be times when you can’t come with me, Dallas, and this is one of those times.” He was silently begging for understanding, but there was no need. I knew this was something Luke had to do and I had plenty to keep me busy around here anyway.
“I understand. This is what you need to do and I respect that. All I ask is that you be careful and come back home to me. In one piece,” I added, watching as his eyebrows shot to his hairline. Clearly, he wasn’t expecting that kind of
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