Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Deacon raised his hand to the enforcer. Instead of a welcoming smile, however, Roman looked serious. Like he was displeased in the extreme.
“Deacon? What’s wrong?” I gripped Deacon’s hand in both of mine, looking up at him. There was a look of dread briefly before his expression closed off. I glanced back at Roman who was giving Deacon a hard look in return.
“Nothin’, Applejack,” he murmured, leaning close to my ear. “I’ll be right back.” Deacon kissed my temple as he wrapped his arms around me in a fierce hug. He strode to Roman, who took him into Sting’s office and shut the door. It was over an hour before the three of them exited the room. Roman said something to Deacon, who nodded. Sting gripped Deacon’s shoulder, before slapping it in a show of solidarity and encouragement. Whatever had happened couldn’t be too bad. Right?
Deacon scanned the room until he found me. He flashed a tight smile before heading in my direction. Once he reached me, he pulled me back into his arms and hugged me tightly for several long seconds.
“What’s going on?”
“I’ll explain in a minute. Let’s go home first.”
“Right now? The party’s just started.” I grinned up at him. Unease had settled in my belly. I knew something was wrong and wasn’t sure I wanted to go with him right now. The longer I put off leaving, the longer I had this one night with him. Because I knew something was about to happen I wouldn’t like.
“I’m sorry, honey. This can’t wait.” He gave me a sad, gentle look, but I could see the truth in his eyes.
I shook my head. “I don’t want to, Deacon.”
He closed his eyes and let out a slow breath. Gripping my hand firmly, he tugged me after him. When we got to the parking lot, he led me to his bike and climbed on. “Ride with me, Applejack.” He held out his hand for me to grip for balance if I wanted to climb on. He almost willed me to take his hand.
As if I could deny him anything. I loved Deacon.
He rode me around the property for a while. I always loved the feeling of the wind in my hair as he sped over the hard paths. It felt like I was flying. The one time I’d been on the open road with Deacon especially. Even with a helmet, I’d never felt more free in my life.
All too soon the ride ended and Deacon pulled up outside the little house we’d been given. I should have been excited. This was the moment I’d been waiting for. To be at the house with the intention of having sex with Deacon. Only, I knew that wasn’t going to happen. He hadn’t given me his property cut. So, whatever came next wasn’t going to be welcomed.
He helped me remove my helmet and lashed it to the back of his bike. Then he took my hand and we went inside. Deacon locked the door but stood with his hands on the door, his forehead against the wood.
Carefully, I placed a hand on his back. “What’s going on, Deacon?” My voice was so soft I wasn’t sure if he’d heard me, but after letting out a deep breath, Deacon turned to face me.
“You know I love you, right, Apple?”
I nodded. “Yes. I know.”
“Then I need you to trust me. I’m going to have to wait to give you your property cut.”
“Why?” I tried to keep my voice steady, but I was very near tears. “This was the plan. We were going to be together.”
“We will be, Apple. I just need a year. One year. Use it to spend time with your sister doing stuff young women your age normally do.”
“What is this, Deacon? I don’t want to go on trips or to parties unless it’s with you.”
“Honey, there is something I have to take care of. It’s going to require I be gone a lot over the next several months. I don’t think it’s fair to ask you to wait for me.”
“Wait…” Dread washed through me and I shook my head. “Are you… are you breaking up with me?”
“One year, Apple. Give me a year. If you haven’t found someone you want more than me, I’ll be home and I’ll beg you to take me back.”
“Are you going to be with other women?”
“Honey, I swear to you, I’ve not been with another woman since I made a commitment to you. Not in the whole three years since I’ve known you. That’s not going to change. Not as long as you’re not in a relationship.”
I watched him for a long time, studying his expression. His eyes. Looking for anything that might give me some hint as to what was going on. I found nothing.
With a sigh, I nodded. “I’ll be waiting on you when you come home. I don’t want this to be the end.”