Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“So, the rumors are true?”
Again, no answer.
“You do realize that not answering is an answer.”
Ronin pulled into the drive and turned to face me as he said, “Yeah, but it’s the only one I have to give.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Afraid so.”
“Then, I think it’s best that we call it a night.” I opened my door and quickly grabbed my things as I told him, “I wish things could’ve been different.”
“Don’t do this.”
“I don’t have a choice, Ronin.” I had to fight back my tears as I told him, “Those kids in that house are my life. I live and breathe for them, and I can’t put them in danger. I won’t do it.”
Without saying anything more, I got out of his truck and rushed inside, quickly closing the door behind me. I was relieved to find that Samantha was no longer in the living room. I didn’t want her to see that I was on the verge of crying, so I used the opportunity to rush to my room.
As I walked by, I could hear them both shouting and laughing, which was a clear indication that they were both playing online. I stopped at Nathan’s door and tapped on the door as I told him, “I’m home!”
“Okay!” was all I got, and he was right back to his game.
I took off my coat as I continued down to my room. I threw it on my treadmill and kicked off my boots before collapsing on my bed. I could feel the tears stinging my eyes as I stared up at the ceiling. I couldn’t believe it. I’d really grown to like Ronin a lot. I really thought we had something, and it broke my heart to think that I would never see him again.
But I didn’t have a choice.
I couldn’t put my children in danger. I was their mother. It was my job to protect them, even if it meant walking away from a man I truly cared about. The more I thought about it, the more I cried. I was a mess. I was balled up on my bed and working myself into a real pity party when I heard a tap on my window. I thought it was just my imagination until I heard it again—louder this time.
Curiosity got the best of me, and I got up to see what was making the noise. I pulled back the blind, and my breath caught when I found Ronin standing there with a fierce expression on his face. “Open up.”
“Ronin.”
“Open the window, Maggie.”
I unlocked the bolt before raising the window. Without waiting for an invitation, he placed a hand on each side of the window, then hoisted his broad shoulders through the small opening and stepped into my room. “We need to talk.”
“We’ve said all there is to say.”
“Not even close.” He brought his hand up to my face and used the pad of his thumb to brush away a tear. “Clearly, there’s still lots that needs to be said.”
"But it’s not going to change anything.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.” He turned and closed the window before saying, “But I’m not leaving here until I’ve had a chance to say my piece.”
I didn’t argue.
I simply nodded, and he let out a sigh of relief.
“I know you like pretending that you don’t have your walls up, but I see them. I know they’re there. And right now, you’re scared and looking for any excuse to put an end to us, but baby, this ain’t it.”
“I don’t want to get hurt… and I don’t want my kids to get hurt.”
“I get that, but there is a part of the club life that you aren’t getting. I wasn’t born into that family. I chose them, and they chose me. There’s a strength in that.”
“I’m not sure I understand.”
“Once you’re in their fold, there’s nothing they won’t do for you. Nothing, and those aren’t just words. I truly mean that.” He reached over and took my hand. “I’m not going to sugarcoat it. The secrets are tough. All the ol’ ladies hate ‘em, but we do the things we do to protect and take care of the people we love the most. I’d never put you or those kids in danger. Hell, I’d die before I let that happen.”
“But...”
“You can trust me, Maggie.” His eyes never left mine as he said, “I know that’s hard for you, especially after what you’ve been through, but you can. And one day, I’ll prove that to you.”
“It won’t be easy. I’ve all but forgotten how to truly trust someone.”
“I know. But I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”
I needed him to know how hard it would truly be, so I told him, “You can have your club secrets and you do what you have to do there, but that’s where I draw the line. No lying to me or keeping things from me. Just like this. You should’ve just told me from the start.”