WE WERE fine. Angel and I were…fine. Every so often he would glance my way, his eyes lingering a little too long, almost as if he were concerned I would run again. We had apologized for things we said. We had shown each other that fights happen and relationships were hard but we would make it work. We would live each day for each other.
A tremor of fear still sat deep in the pits of my belly but I wasn’t sure what caused it. Yes, I was scared of Angel’s job taking him away from me. Yes, I was terrified that all this work to find these girls would be for nothing.
“Baby, stop thinking so much.” Angel stepped in front of me and cupped my cheeks. His thumb rubbed the frown between my eyebrows, a small smile splaying on his handsome face.
“Something has changed in me, Angel,” I blurted, a slight flush spreading up the back of my neck.
“How so?” He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, guiding us back down the street toward Max’s gallery.
“I’m…” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Before you, I never had any issues saying what was on my mind. But now I stumble.”
“And I will catch you every damn time.” He winked at me. “You haven’t changed. You just know that you don’t have to be a bitch to get what you want. You don’t need to impress anyone.”
Didn’t I? It was the one way I could get my club moving forward. I sighed. We needed another member but I honestly had no idea how to even begin searching one out. My sisters and I all started out at the same time. It had been my idea along with the help of Violet but after she disappeared, it gave me the nudge I needed.
“Hi guys.” Max gave us a wave as she headed back inside her gallery carrying a large box.
“I’m going to go help her.” Angel kissed my forehead.
I nodded, watching him walk away. My belly fluttered, that familiar desire for the man burning through me.
“Hey, girl,” Max greeted me, embracing me in a tight hug.
“Hi,” I hugged her back. “What’s all this?” I motioned toward the deliverymen carrying large boxes into the building.
“I’m giving the place a little makeover. I ordered a shit-ton of stuff off the Internet and our home supply store here. Have you ever been in the thrift shop on the other side of town? That place is amazing,” she rambled, placing her hands on her hips and letting out a heavy sigh.
“What’s going on?” Max was not the type of woman to shop unless it was necessary. She saved her money but when something drastic happened, she shopped. And shopped.
Her jaw clenched. “I guess there’s no point beating around the bush, is there?”
“Not really,” I smiled, nudging her playfully in the shoulder.
“Jay.” Her eyes welled.
“What’s wrong?” My heart jumped.
“I’m pregnant,” she whispered, pushing a stone around with her shoe.
“Oh, Max.” I wrapped an arm around her, holding her tight against me. “Does Dale know?”
Pinching her nose, she closed her eyes, letting the tears fall freely down her cheeks. “Yeah.”
“I assume he didn’t take it well.”
She shook her head, her shoulders trembling.
Angel looked our way, his eyebrow raising. I shook my head. I was sure Dale would tell him anyway.
“He snapped, Jay,” Max said, her voice small. “I’ve never seen him so mad.”
“He’s mad?” I exclaimed. “How the hell can he be mad?”
“He accused me of trapping him.” Her sobs hardened. “We were careful, Jay, but shit happens. We were doing well after the last time. We were trying to make it work. And now…now…” She stood up taller, roughly wiping the tears from under her eyes. “Fuck it. Fuck him. Fuck everyone. Fuck this.” She turned to me abruptly. “I’m done.”
I shook my head. What the hell just happened? One moment she was sobbing over the guy and the next she was brushing it off like it was nothing? “Max.”
“I’m done,” she repeated, her voice firm.
My eyes searched her face. Determination set deep in her soft features. Her body stiffened, her chin lifted defiantly.
“Are you sure?” I asked, tentatively.
“Yes.” She clapped her hands together. “Now let’s head inside.” She winked at me. “I have a surprise for both of you.” She whistled, walking away barking orders at the deliverymen.
“What was that about?” Angel asked, coming up beside me.
“I have no idea,” I muttered, unsure of what the hell I just witnessed. It was one thing for me to act all cool when shit went down but Max wore her emotions on her sleeve. Whatever Dale said or did to her hardened her. My blood rushed into my ears. My sister bear roared inside of me, wanting to protect my family.
“Jay?” Angel tugged my hand. “What’s wrong?”
“Tell Dale he better get his shit together or he’ll be spitting gravel,” I threatened and walked into the gallery. Not that it was any of my business and I would leave it alone for Max’s sake but a little threat—a promise, so to speak—never hurt.
***
“What is so important that you had to get us out of bed this morning?” I asked Max once we were seated in her studio. Angel and I sat on a couch covered by a black satin sheet.
“This,” Max said, turning her easel toward us.
“Holy shit,” Angel said in awe.
My eyes widened, landing on the picture before me. The canvas held a drawing of Angel and me. It was done in pencil, minor details left out but it was enough that you could tell it was us. Angel’s thick arms wrapped around me. His hand fisted in my curly hair. My face turned up toward him, my lips parted slightly.
“Max, you…” I cleared my throat, squirming in my seat. The drawing oozed passion.
“I’ve had a lot of requests to paint people.” She shrugged. “So I hope you don’t mind, but I chose you two to be my first models.”
“I-I-” I stammered, unable to take my gaze away from the canvas.
“I think she’s honored,” Angel laughed.
“There’s a reason I chose you, Jay,” Max smiled. “You’re inspiring. Look at what you’ve done.”
I shifted uncomfortably, my cheeks heating. Not a fan of praise, I didn’t do any of this to get recognition. I did it because I was sick of women being treated as the weaker sex.
“I did it because I was told I couldn’t.” I shrugged. “It’s no big deal.”
“Yes.” Max turned on her stool, facing me directly. “It’s a huge fucking deal. You started King’s Harlots. You are passionate about getting these girls home safely. Without you, who knows how long it would take for them to be found?”
“But I haven’t found many.”
“Yet.” Max pointed her paintbrush at me. “You will. We will. But it’s because of you.”
“She’s right, princess,” Angel said, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “We do what we can because it’s our job and we’re told to do it. But you do it because it’s your passion. You’re driven to save these girls.”
“I’m only one person.” As much as I wanted to save them, even I knew it wasn’t possible to do it alone.
“It is possible,” Angel insisted.
My cheeks burned, not realizing I had spoken out loud.
“Look at all the research you’ve done for your sister. Look at the shit you’ve been dealing with because of that fucker,” Angel pointed out, his eyes darkening.
A tremor of fear rippled down my spine. Not that I forgot about the unknown guy or woman for that matter, but a part of me had hoped it was all a bad dream. A nightmare. The person hadn’t tried contacting me again but I made sure to keep checking the social media app on my phone. It burned in my hands as I gripped my cell tight.
“Has he contacted you again?” Max asked, her voice shaking.
“No.” I should have been thankful but not knowing anything increased the anxiety flowing through me.
“Good. Now let me draw you.” She cleared her throat. “I need it.”
Angel and I agreed even though we had no idea what we were doing. Max had insisted I take off my shirt, allowing Angel to cover me with his body.
“Now press your chest against his. Hold each other tight. I want the love to ooze off of you.” Her barked commands would have made me laugh under normal circumstances but when I stared up into Angel’s eyes, I fell. Hard.
He kissed my forehead before leaning his head into the crook of my neck. “I love you, princess. More than anything I’ve ever known. Love was taken away from me as a child but you’ve given it to me as an adult. Thank you for giving me your heart.”
His sweet words and confession of love for me made my stomach flip. Max had insisted I not talk so she could get the curve of my mouth but I didn’t need to tell Angel how I felt. He knew. I poured everything I felt for him into that hug. Even though Max was there with us, I went to that place. That place in my mind where it was just me and now Angel. I closed my eyes, breathing in the spicy scent of the man in my arms. His heart beat hard against my chest. His arms wrapped around me in a vice-like grip, promising to never let me go.
He consumed me. I was utterly and irrevocably his. Every breath, every inch of my skin, had belonged to the man holding me. Every waking thought. Every sleepless night. My mind. My flesh. My soul.
I cupped his cheek, forgetting that I needed to stay still.
Angel’s eyebrow rose in question. The dark pools of his gaze swallowed me whole. Specks of gold simmered in the chocolate hue.
“I love you,” I whispered. “More than my next breath. I never thought I would need someone. My sister taught me to be my own person, not giving into the clutches of a man. But you…” My thumb brushed over his mouth. “You’re bossy. Militant. And you command every inch of my skin. I know I can be difficult but thank you, thank you for loving me.” My voice wavered. “For me.”
“I…” Max stood up from her spot on the stool. “I’m going to give you guys a moment.” She rushed out of the room but not before I caught her wiping under her eyes.
My stomach twisted and I looked down at my lap.
“Hey.” Angel pinched my chin, meeting my gaze. “What was that?”
“Max and Dale…they’re not doing well.”
“And you feel guilty because you’re happy when your best friend got pregnant by an asshole.”
“How did you know that?” I asked, taken aback.
“I put two and two together,” Angel shrugged. “Dale can be hard to get along with. He’s young and wants to explore the world before settling down. But I think he’s actually in love with Max and is just scared.”
“I hope so.” My heart panged. “I just hope they can find a way back to each other before it’s too late.”
“I agree, princess.” He kissed my mouth. “Now, did you mean everything you said?”
“Yes.” My cheeks heated. Again. I had never blushed so damn much before meeting Angel. I huffed. It was frustrating as hell.
“What’s wrong?” He chuckled, grazing the back of his knuckle down the center of my body.
My nipples peaked, tingling, hinting for his hand to move a little further to the left or right. But my arm moved of its own accord, attempting to shield my semi-nakedness from him.
“Don’t.” He pulled my arm away from my body. “Don’t ever hide yourself from me. You’re beautiful. You’re soft where I am hard. You’re stubborn. And I will always love you for you.”
“I don’t even know who I am anymore,” I whispered. I slipped my tank top over my head, needing some sort of control in the way he looked at me. But he made me feel beautiful. He made me feel like I was the only woman who mattered. The only person for him. The only person in this world. It was the just the two of us. Together we could take on anything and everyone.
“You are Genevieve Gold,” his grin grew. “You are my Queen, and I am your motherfucking King.”
“God, I love you.” I kissed him hard on the mouth.
“I love you, baby,” he breathed against my lips.
“Mind if I interrupt?” Max asked, opening the door slightly.
“Not at all.” I smiled at her. “You good?” I asked, my stomach tightening.
“Of course,” she said, waving her hand in front of her. “I am wonderful.” But those words never reached her eyes. They were red-rimmed. If she would just talk to Dale. But she was even more stubborn than I was. “Now let’s finish so I can open up the gallery.”
“Don’t you have decorating to do?” I raised an eyebrow.
“It’s an art gallery,” she picked up her paintbrush, chewing her bottom lip. “People like messy. It shows character.”
“I’ll never understand artists,” I mumbled.
“You’re an artist,” Angel reminded me.
“I draw and tattoo willing participants who like the feel of my needle,” I corrected.
“Well, when you put it like that,” he teased, gently nudging me in the shoulder.
I laughed, letting out a contented sigh. I caught Max staring at us. A glimmer of hope flashed in her eyes but she shook her head, the hint of something there quickly disappearing.
Max shook herself before bringing the paintbrush up to the canvas before her.
“Don’t feel guilty about what you have, Jay,” Angel whispered in my ear. “She’ll get through this. She wants you to be happy. Dale is a dick.”
“But that’s no excuse for how he’s treating her,” I said a little too loud.
Max cleared her throat.
“Sorry,” I said, wringing my hands in my lap. “I just worry for you.”
“I’m fine.” Max’s voice was firm and to the point. “You can tell your friend that I want nothing to do with him,” she told Angel. “Enough about him.” She turned the canvas toward us. “What do you think?”
My eyes widened.
Angel whistled. “You have some serious fucking talent, Max.”
The painting of Angel and I popped off the canvas. Curves outlined our bodies. Every freckle. Every muscle. Every hint of passion we had for each other screamed in the painting Max had done.
“I don’t generally paint people,” Max explained. “But I really like this one.”
“Like?” I asked in awe. “This…wow.” I had no words for how beautiful the image was. Max was able to capture every emotion.
“It’s not done but you at least get the idea.” She stroked a finger down the side, staring longingly at the painting.
My heart jumped. I didn’t pray often but I prayed at that moment for my best friend. Not for myself. Not for Angel. For her. She had a good life. The only thing missing was the man she fell in love with. You couldn’t control what the heart wants. Even if it was an obnoxious player like Dale. I didn’t know him well but out of Vice-One, he was the one that went through women faster than half the men I knew. Bikers had a thing for women who were easy. But if you acted like a lady, they treated you like one. Act like a slut, and you would be bent over the nearest hard surface in a matter of minutes.
“Angel, can you give us a moment?” I asked, not taking my gaze away from my best friend.
“Of course,” he kissed my head. “I have some calls to make anyway. Thank you, Max.” He gave her a quick hug, whispering something in her ear.
She nodded, hugging him back, a shaky breath leaving her.
“I’ll be outside,” he told me, shutting the door quietly behind him.
“I want you to take some time off. I’ll have Brogan in your place while you get some rest.”
“No,” Max shook her head. “I need to be out and about. I can’t sit at home, thinking over this shit and how much I hate Dale right now. It’ll drive me crazy.”
“Are you sure? Because I understand—”
“No,” she snapped. “I’m sorry.” She took a deep breath, running her hand through her shoulder length hair. “I don’t want any time off. Not right now.”
“Okay,” I nodded. “Is there anything I can do?” Besides ripping the balls off of the man who hurt you.
“No…well…” She thought a moment. “I want to tell the girls but not for a couple of days. I don’t want any of you going after Dale. I need to deal with it on my own.”
“Angel knows. He figured it out on his own,” I added before she could accuse me of blabbing her business.
“What did he say?” Max asked, continuing with the painting.
“That he’s young, he’s an asshole. He doesn’t know what he’s missing.”
“You added that last part in yourself didn’t you?”
“Maybe.”
“I’m not going to force him to be with me or to want this baby. He can go fuck himself.” Her voice wavered, tears rolling down her cheeks. “God, I’m sick of crying over him.”
“He doesn’t deserve you.” I stood from my spot and closed the distance between us. “You deserve someone who loves you back, who feels for you what you feel for them. Who would move the world to make sure you’re happy.”
“Does Angel do that? Do you feel he loves you that way?” she asked, hopeful.
“Yeah. I think he does.” What we had was so new that I didn’t know how long we would be together but who went into a relationship thinking that? I loved him. He loved me. We were stuck with each other, and it worked for us.