I was so happy that I was finally free from the hospital and on my way home to Hunters Creek. After making me stay until Sunday, Dr. Schramm surprised me by allowing me to go home rather than stay in the Knoxville area. I knew it was only because Zara agreed to watch over me. I’d be forever in her debt. I still had a few days left on IV antibiotics, and then I would either be done or placed on oral ones.
My sisters would be at home and able to resume their everyday routines, as would Icicle and Blizzard. I regret that I didn’t get to go to Dublin Falls to meet everyone and see it, but Iceman assured me I’d get to see it soon. Aspen and Sage raved about it and how great everyone was. Plus, they’d spoiled the dogs rotten.
Sage drove my car while Iceman, Loki, and Renegade rode their motorcycles as our escort. Iceman was in the lead, and the other two brought up the rear. It was eye-opening to ride along with them and see how people reacted. I wanted to be on the bike with him and experience it. He promised once I was stronger, he’d take me for a ride. Hopefully, I’d see that happen.
The only thing that somewhat marred my happiness was the fact that when we got home, Iceman owed me the rest of his explanation. He hadn’t mentioned it since that day we spoke. He had better not think I forgot and that he was off the hook. Killing Frost would ice over hell before that happened.
It wasn’t too long of a drive, yet I was stiff and tired when we returned to our apartment. Iceman wanted me to stay at the compound close to Zara, but I assured him it wasn’t necessary and I was better off at home. I didn’t need her to do my IV. My sisters and I all learned how to do my infusions. They were easy.
The guys insisted on lugging all the luggage to the apartment and straight to our individual rooms. After that was done, Renegade and Loki told us goodbye and that they’d see us later. Both of them had been such great support, especially for my sisters, that they got hugs and kisses even if Iceman growled a tiny bit, making his friends laugh. He even did it when Sage and Aspen hugged and kissed them.
As if rehearsed, my sisters kissed me on the cheek, said they had schoolwork, and disappeared into their room shortly after Renegade and Loki left. I was on the couch with Iceman next to me. As soon as they were gone, he caught my gaze.
“I owe you an explanation. I’m ready to tell you if you’re ready to hear it. Or if you want to nap first, that can be arranged. I don’t want to push just to stick to our agreement.”
“I rested in the car. I want to know. Now is good,” I informed him.
Iceman moved so he was angled toward me. I scooted, doing the same to him. His hands picked up mine, and he held them. He had the most solemn expression I’d ever seen him wear.
“What I’m about to tell you cannot be mentioned to anyone. I’d prefer the twins not to know, but it’s likely over time, they’ll discover it. I say this because if people outside of the club find out, it’s almost for certain myself, the other brothers, prospects, hell, even the old ladies would be in awful trouble, Meadow.” He paused.
“What kind of trouble, Jake?”
He took a deep breath. “The kind where we spend years behind bars, if not the rest of our lives. We’re not bad people, I promise. We do things for the right reason, to protect innocent people from being hurt or even killed. Sometimes, those who are involved, the perpetrators, are arrested and serve time. However, I told you in Bosch’s case, he escaped prison to come after Saylor. He’s a prime example of why we don’t always turn what we know or the people involved in such things over to the cops.”
“Go on,” I prompted when he stopped again. I needed to hear it from his lips, though I suspected I knew what he was about to tell me.
“Fine. Some of us questioned Bosch and those in association with him. When they were unable to give us the information we needed to prevent Bosch or his buddies from escaping and coming after all of us, they were given eternal rest.”
“You killed them,” I stated flatly.
“We did. I swear, we’re not monsters. We don’t go around doing that to just anyone. That’s the one aspect of my club that isn’t clean. We wouldn’t do it if the world was different and justice was served the way it should. We’ve helped countless people to end terrible people—drug dealers, rapists, murderers, and human traffickers. We don’t just help police our town and family. We help our friends.”
There was a part of me that knew they’d killed those men. It was in the way he told the original story, and I could easily see the club doing it. Though I hadn’t been around all of them much, their protective vibe was off the charts. They would literally do anything to protect or save their families and club, and now it sounds like their friends.
A part of me was scared of that idea, but another was jealous and even angry. Here were people who, for the most part, weren’t even blood-related to each other, yet they would kill and die for each other. Nothing was too much to ask of them. Compare that to the horrible situation Iceman grew up in and how my sisters and I had parents who only cared about themselves. Sure, they were never abusive because they didn’t care or weren’t there. I was envious that they had a family like that.
I knew if anyone dared to go after Aspen and Sage, I’d tear them apart, and if I had to kill them to ensure my sisters were never hurt again, I’d do it and suffer the consequences. Did that make me a monster? Maybe, but I’d still do it. The knot in my stomach eased. I still had questions, but only time would answer them. The anxiety Iceman was feeling was written all over his face. His fingers had almost chafed my hands raw from rubbing them, and his knee was bouncing up and down. I squeezed his fingers.
“Jake, you’ve shared a lot, and I know how frightening that is when you have to worry that I’ll go running to the cops, screaming about what you did. However, if what you say about the type of people you deal with in this way is true, and I’m choosing to believe you, then I can see it. If it were my sisters in harm’s way, you’d better believe your ass that I’d do whatever I had to. I would make them safe.”
“So I haven’t scared you off?”
“You haven’t, but you’re asking me to accept a lot on faith and your word. I’m willing to do it, but you have to know if I ever find out anyone is hurting someone who doesn’t deserve it, I will tell. I can’t have innocent people hurt or killed. The same is true for any illegal activities such as drugs, weapons, prostitution, trafficking, you name it. So if there’s a chance any of those will happen, you need to leave, and we’ll call it quits. I won’t say anything about those men who attacked your compound. It sounds like they got what they deserved. And if we do part ways, I want my sisters to be hands-off if you decide I know too much. They have no clue.”
“Christ, babe, no one is killing you for knowing too much. I can assure you none of that illegal shit will happen in my club. If it did, I’d leave. As for hurting someone who doesn’t deserve it, that’s also a no-go.”
“That’s a relief. I couldn’t see Zara and the other old ladies going for those things, but I had to be clear.”
“The old ladies would revolt if we even considered being like that. I won’t lie. Years ago, way back when, before I joined, they did do some things, but not drugs or anything like prostitution or trafficking. They realized there was a better life without those, no matter how much money it made. That’s why we have so many businesses. All legitimate means of making a living.”
“They did? I’ve got to hear about that. I don’t want to live that lifestyle, Jake, but I am fascinated by it.”
He laughed. “Then you’ll have to talk to the older members, like Bull, Tank, Bear, Demon, and some of those guys. They were part of it. Did I answer and explain everything you needed to know?”
“You did. I need you to promise not to hide things from me. If, for some reason, you can’t explain right then, tell me that and let me know when I can expect an answer. I’m not able to handle being with you if you can’t do this. I have hang-ups, and I’ve tried to get rid of them. Lying and hiding stuff are two big ones. Our parents did it all the time, and I’ve had boyfriends before who did it. The truth, even if it hurts, is better than that.”
“I hear you, and I understand. I need to make something very clear to you. And maybe this isn’t the right time or place to do it, but I’m going for it.”
“You have the floor,” I told him as I winked.
“This isn’t just a boyfriend-girlfriend thing we’re doing here, Meadow. It’s a biker and his old lady situation. I already told Pres I want to claim you as my old lady when you’re ready. The club votes on this, but I don’t see them saying no. It’s a lifelong commitment, Frost. Things have been crazy, and I haven’t gotten a chance to show you the house I’m building on the compound. I’d love for you to see it and help make it a home you can live in. And one day, I’ll ask you to marry me and, if you’re willing, have kids. Are you on board with all that?”
I sat there stunned. I wasn’t expecting him to say all that, at least not this early. We’d only been on one date. “Jake, we’ve been on one official date and had sex once. Don’t you think this is too soon for you to say all this?”
“Nope. I know you like and want me. I can build on that and make you fall in love with me and want to spend your life with me. I’ll just keep working until you do,” he said matter-of-factly.
“What about my sisters? I know they’re adults, but in my eyes, they still need guidance and support. I don’t want them working until they graduate. Their education is the priority. I support the three of us. How will that work if I end up moving in with you before they’re done?”
“Easy. They can move into the new house with us or stay in one of the townhomes. If they graduate and want to remain on the compound, I don’t see anyone caring, and they can have a small place built. I don’t expect you to kick them out and tell them to care for themselves. I know they’re part of the Killing Frost package, just like Blizzard and Icicle are.” He grinned.
The relief that made me feel was incredible. I launched myself at him. He caught me. Before we kissed, I told him, “It’s not going to take much to have me falling in love with you, Jake. Not when you say and do things like that. You’re an amazing man.”
“Don’t forget you said that the next time I piss you off,” he muttered before he sealed his lips to mine and transported me out of this world.