Page 106 of All That Glitters

She nods as I talk things through. “After that, the tone of the notes changed a little, and it made us question if the MC might be the target. And the delivery confirmed that. But does it? What if the target is club girls?”

“Why club girls though? And I’d just like to point out I’m not a club girl anymore.”

“I don’t think that matters. Plus, if he sees me following you around, he’d assume you’re, at the very least, connected to me. As for, why club girls? You’re easier to get to than old ladies, who usually have a prospect on them.”

“You need to find out if the others are having any issues.”

“Yeah.” I rub my hand across my jaw. “I need you to stay here with me.”

“No. I can’t, and you know why.”

“I need to know you’re safe, Legs.”

“I’ll take every precaution I can.”

“And it still won’t be enough.” I slam my fist down on the edge of the table. “For god’s sake, Legs, think about the baby. Think about the friend you’re staying with. You’ll put them both in danger just to protect your pride?”

She glares at me. “That’s what you think this is? My refusal has nothing to do with pride and everything to do with protecting myself from you. We both know you might not hurt me physically, but I’m far from safe.”

I fight the urge to scream. I have nobody else to blame in this but myself.

“I’ll stay at the clubhouse.”

I grit my teeth and force myself to soften my voice. “You’re not a club girl anymore. The brothers won’t remember that. It’s putting you all in an awkward situation.”

“They’re big boys, Midas. They understand the meaning of the word no.”

“Again. You’re not a club girl.”

She frowns before my meaning becomes clear. She huffs out a laugh, but I can hear the hurt in her voice. “So that’s it? I might be being targeted because of the club, but none of the brothers will protect me because I won’t spread my legs for them anymore? I’m on my own.”

“You’re not on your own. You have me.”

She swipes at a tear that slips free before turning her eyes back to mine—only this time, it’s as if she’s looking right through me.

“I don’t want anything to happen to Del or my baby, so that’s the only reason why I’m agreeing to this. You and me, though, we’re done.”

“No.”

“Fuck you, Midas, you’re not calling the shots when it comes to my heart. Not ever again.”

I lean forward and cup her face with my hands before I kiss her. She loses herself for a minute before pulling back angrily.

“When you can, hand on heart, tell me you feel nothing for me when my lips are on yours, I’ll walk away.”

She opens her mouth, likely to refute my claim right now, but I cover her lips with my finger. “Don’t make liars out of both of us, Legs.”

I kiss the tip of her nose before dropping my hands. “I know this is it for us. I know I’ll never get another chance at provingmyself to you. So all I’m asking is that while you’re here, you let me date you.”

She stares at me for a moment before she starts laughing. It’s not the reaction I was expecting, and honestly, I think I’d rather she slap me again.

When her laughter dissolves into sobs, I curse and lean forward, wrapping my arms around her. She surprises me when she doesn’t immediately yank herself away. I hold on for as long as she lets me.

Eventually, once the crying is under control, she pulls back. “These hormones are trying to kill me. I’ve cried more since being pregnant than I have done my entire life. I’m so sick of it.” Her voice drops to a whisper as she pleads with me. “Stop making me cry.”

I press my forehead against hers. “Anything you want, baby.” She growls, making me smile. “Date me. Let me show you what I should have shown you all along—how I’ve been falling in love with you since the day we met.”

“Alright, Midas. I’ll bite. For the time I’m here, I’ll let you date me. But you have to swear to me that when it’s safe for me to leave, if I want nothing more to do with you, you let me go.”