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)
I shrugged, giving her a fond look. I tried to make it like an uncle might look at a favorite niece, hoping she’d sense the difference in me and at least have an idea things were going to change before I laid it all out for her. “I had things to take care of… some things for the club. Sometimes it can’t be helped.”
“I know,” she said softly, still looking up at me shyly. “When Wylde told me you were coming home today, I’d hoped we could spend the evening together.”
I winced. “Sorry, honey. I’ll have to give a report to Sting, then I really need some time to decompress.” I laid a gentle hand on her shoulder and hoped like piss I wasn’t shaking. The shock of touching her was bad enough. My gut was gnawing at me and my heart was truly breaking. I knew it was the right thing to do, but I wasn’t sure I could go through with this. “We’ll talk in a couple of days.”
She jerked back like I’d struck her. This was it. I had to do it here in the common room. Not because I wanted one of my brothers to end up with her, but because I knew doing this in public would be the one thing that would cause her to run from me and not insist on staying. She could move on with her life easier if she were with her sister where her home would be hidden. Secret. She’d be with Lemon and the rest of Grim Road, and I could concentrate all my time on eliminating this bastard, Borris Illivitch.
“What do you mean?” She shook her head slightly. “Decompress? Don’t you want to spend some time with me? I can maybe give you a massage.”
I laughed, reaching out to ruffle her hair like I might a child’s. “Sorry, squirt. We can hang out in a few days.”
“Hang out.” She gave me a dazed, blank look and I inwardly winced. Confusion warred with disbelief as she took a step away from me, shaking her head.
“Look.” I took a step toward her. Everything inside me was rebelling, but I had to do this. I’d discussed it with Sting and he hadn’t exactly agreed, but knew it was better for Apple if she were away from here for a while. Until this whole fucking mess was cleaned up for good. I had to send Apple to Grim Road where she’d be hidden. And safe. I was going to catch hell for this later, but I knew there would be no reasoning with Apple.
When it came to people she loved, Apple was just as protective as her sister, and she loved with her whole heart. Unless I gave her a good hard shove, she would never leave. Not as long as she thought we’d eventually be together. I’d wanted it to be true, but I think, deep down, I’d known even a year ago it would come to this. “I know what I said, Apple. I’m sorry. I should never have led you on.”
Apple sucked in a breath, her hand fluttering over her throat defensively. “What?” Her voice was a mere thread of sound. Also, the whole of the clubhouse in the immediate vicinity was witness to everything I was saying. “What do you mean, led me on?”
I sighed. “We can’t be together, Apple. We’re just too different. I’m too old, and you’re way the fuck too young.” I patted her shoulder awkwardly. Time to deliver the killing blow. Then I really would be condemned to the seventh pit of hell. “You’re a beautiful woman, Apple. But you’re just not ready to take on a man like me.”
I braced myself for her tears, for the accusing looks from her and every single one of my brothers in the room. It seemed like the air was all sucked out of the clubhouse and every eye was on us. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw even Sting had emerged from his office, a shocked look on his face. Yeah, everyone had picked the exact wrong moment to go silent. Well. I’d wanted everyone to witness this, to force Apple to leave. Looks like I was getting my wish.
Instead of crying, of railing at me, Apple’s face went abruptly blank. The light in her eyes that I loved so much, that sparkle that told me she was happy, went out. It took every ounce of control I had not to lunge for her, to pull her into my arms and tell her I didn’t mean it. That I only wanted her safe, but I’d gone too far to back out now.
“I see.” She put her chin up and gave me a small smile. “Well. I’m glad you’re back safe, Deacon.” She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry I misunderstood what was going on. I thought I was supposed to stay in your house, but I can see I was mistaken.”