Page 124 of Iron

“And what else?” I asked, urging her to go on.

“He had a pair of handcuffs. He thought he was going to use them on me, but I ended up convincing him to let me cuff him to the bed. I learned that I liked control. The act itself did nothing for me that night. It didn’t bring up bad memories or make me want more.”

“But it did something?”

“I suppose. I learned things about myself, so that was something,” she said with a small shrug. “It wasn’t until later, when everyone knew what I’d done to him and they called me names. It took me years of seeing this kind of behavior and shame all around me to want to step up and do something. I thought that sexual desires and wants weren’t something that should be looked down on.”

“So you made the Gilded Rose.” It was a statement because I knew that was why.

“Yes,” she said simply. “It took many, many years. Inside that building, I want them to feel like they’re safe to be themselves. Not just the girls but the clients, too. No one judges them. And they can do it knowing that it’s safe.”

I kissed her forehead.

I didn’t bother telling her how much love she had in that damn heart of hers. I knew she’d never see it. But for as cold as Petra came off, she was equally caring and protective. And I had no doubt that everyone she let get close enough saw it too.

I loved her with everything in me. Though she had melted a little bit for me, I never wanted her to change who she was. Petra was strong enough to take on life with me, and what a fuckin’ amazing life we were gonna have.

Iron

I couldn’t even begin to tell you how many kids were runnin’ around. Too many? Nah, I’d never think that. I loved them all and they each had their own personality. It was amazing to sit back and watch them grow into their own with every year that ticked on.

“Thanks, Prez!” Chry said with a smile on his face as he wrapped his arms around my waist. “Dad said I couldn’t get one of these until I was twelve. Best birthday present ever!”

My gaze shot to Mouse to see him giving me a hard stare.

I guess I hadn’t really been thinkin’ when I got the mini-bike for him. I couldn’t resist when Petra showed me the picture. She said it would make the perfect gift for the boy. I knew Chry would love it but seeing Petra take an interest like that had me whipping out my phone and debit card to order one.

I trusted that he’d be alright with it, he was actually a very cautious kid.

Unlike his sister.

Sparrow was a ball of fire.

And she wasn’t the only one that caused trouble.

The ten-year-old kid ran off after giving me a fist bump to open the rest of his gifts. I smiled as I saw the wrench hanging out of his back pocket. He always had that thing with him. Mouse told me once that he even found Chry sleeping with it a couple of times.

“He’s unhappy,” Petra said as I watched Chry settle back down between to his best friend and his sister at the picnic table that was piled high with a ton of gifts.

My eyes shifted to look at Mouse again. Ingram was smiling at his side as he pushed the mini-bike off to the side. Her face held a sense of amusement.

“I didn’t know,” I said defensively.

“Should we return it?” She had no clue that it wouldn’t be that simple.

“Hell, no,” I said with a chuckle.

“You’re thinking about it, aren’t you?” she asked and there was something in her tone that told me she was no longer talking about the bike.

I swung my gaze to meet hers.

“I got another ten good years in me,” I told her.

“I know that. But you’re already planning for that point.”

I smiled at her as I pulled her into my side.

As she rested her head on my shoulder, I looked around the packed lot. My eyes darted over each and every one of the kids.