Page 22 of Link’s Property (Savage Knights MC: NW Chapter #3)

Shayna

“ O kay, so these aren’t as good as yours, but I tried.”

Izzy places a plate of chocolate chip cookies down on the table, and my stomach churns. I can’t eat anything. My appetite disappeared the night Link broke my heart, and it’s not even budging in the presence of my favorite treat: chocolate chip cookies.

“God, why the hell won’t he just leave me alone,” Izzy sighs, looking at her ringing phone. The thing has been going off every twenty minutes. It’s like the doctor goes in to handle a patient and then comes right back out to harass my friend. It’s almost getting a little concerning.

“Is that the doctor again?”

“Yes.” She nods, exasperated. “I’ve blocked him a dozen times. I don’t understand how he’s still getting through.”

“He’s probably using one of those apps that generates new phone numbers.” I hold my hand out for her to pass it to me. “Let me see if I can figure out a way to block all unknown numbers.” Right as she hands it over, the thing buzzes with a text.

Unknown Number : Why won’t you answer my calls? I need to talk to you, Izabelle. I told you I’m not in love with her anymore. You need to believe me.

As I’m reading his first message, another one chimes in.

Unknown Number : You know how good it is between us, babe.

It’s never been like that with anyone else.

And don’t pretend like you don’t need me.

I know how desperate you are for my dick.

I still have every single text message you’ve ever sent.

All the times you begged your doctor to prescribe a remedy for your ache.

God, I still think about that first time I examined you.

Jesus, this guy has a problem. And when another text comes in, I’m officially alarmed and ready to dial the police.

Unknown Number : I’m coming over and if you don’t let me in, I’m going to break that door down and remind that little pussy how hard she likes to be fucked. You better be ready to open up those legs, Izabelle, because I’m done with these games.

“Um… I think you should file a restraining order.” I swallow hard, handing her back her phone so she can read her texts. Now, I’m officially concerned and think that the guy is a complete stalker.

“I um…” Her cheeks are bright red now; I hope that’s not because she’s turned on by what he wrote. “I don’t want to ruin his career. And what would I even say? My ex is sending me texts saying he wants to fuck me?”

“He’s threatening to break down your door. He’s psychotic, Izz.”

The expression on her face doesn’t look like she disagrees with me, but knowing her, she’s not going to go to the police. She’s too nice. And whether she wants to admit it or not, she still loves him.

“Do you think I should call his wife or send her screenshots of these texts?”

“No!” I practically shriek. The last thing you need is a jealous, crazy soon-to-be ex harassing you too.”

She nods, knowing I’m right. “Then what can I do to get him to stop?”

“Tell him you’ll file a restraining order if he doesn’t stop. Or…” An idea pops into my head. “You can tell him you’ve moved on and are seeing someone else.”

There’s suddenly a pounding on her door and we both are yelping in fright. He’s here. What was he doing, texting her from the parking lot?

“Let me get it,” I tell her. I’ll make sure he never harasses my friend again.

My mouth is fired up, ready to launch into the asshole as I open the door, but there’s a different asshole standing before me.

The one who decided to rip my heart out of my chest and squash it between his bare hands.

The pain rushes right back in and tears sting my eyes, threatening to weaken me again.

I thought I’d never get them to stop, but Izzy’s crazy stalker managed to distract me from the pain.

“I don’t want to talk to you.” I go to close the door before the first tear slips, but Link’s hand stops it.

“I need you to hear me out, babe.”

Why? So, he can toy with my heart again? “I don’t want to hear anything you have to say. Now, please leave.” The onslaught of tears is barely holding on by a thread.

“I just drove for eighteen hours straight to get here, baby. All I’m asking for is five minutes.”

I really wish he would stop calling me that.

“You wasted your time. You promised you wouldn’t hurt me, Lincoln, but you broke that promise. I don’t owe you another second of my time.”

I try to shut the door again, but he blocks it with his frame. His tight grip is a force I can’t fight against. I swear, if he doesn’t leave, I’ll be calling the cops on him.

“Please, Shay. I know I fucked up. And I know you don’t have a lick of trust for me right now, but please just hear me out.

” Fine, but it’s not going to change anything.

He broke my heart and left me in a sobbing heap as he rode off with his men.

I cried for days before I could get the tears to stop long enough for me to pack my bags and drive the two hours to get here.

He didn’t call. He didn’t text. And I cried.

There isn’t anything he can say that will convince me to trust him with my heart again.

“I got scared, baby.” His pained voice hits me where it hurts.

“I was scared that I wasn’t doing right by my girl.

All that shit Melinda said got inside my head and it blinded me from the truth.

Your opinion is the only one I care about.

My truth is you.” The air catches inside my lungs and shudders out slowly as a tear slips down my cheek.

I quickly wipe it away, hating that he’s seeing me cry again.

He reaches out for my hands, moving in close.

I’d pull them away, only, I need his strength.

I need his safety net to catch me when I crumble. Because I’m about to break.

“I’m sorry I let that shit get to me. And I’m sorry I broke my promise. If you take me back, you have my word it won’t happen again.”

“And what happens when Melinda or someone else you know gives you a disgusted look? What happens when we’re on a date or in the grocery store and someone comments about you being a cradle robber?

Then what will you do?” I don’t trust him not to get scared again.

The issues that he’s concerned about—our age and our past—are never going away.

“I would hold you tighter and fight to protect what’s ours.

” He shifts even closer, sweeping the hair off my face, tucking it behind my ear.

Just one simple touch and another tear threatens to spill.

“I know I hurt you, baby. And I will forever regret my choice. But you can believe I won’t do it again. ”

“How do I know that?”

“Because Rogue asked me a question last night,” he breathes out on a pained sigh.

“He asked me how I’d feel if I never got to see you again.

” My gut clenches at the thought, protesting the idea so hard I have to clutch his hands to keep myself from falling to pieces.

“He asked me how I’d feel watching you with another man.

And the answer is the reason I’m standing here.

I’d rather go to my grave than have to face a life without you.

Without you, I can’t even breathe. I’ve spent the last week fighting myself from coming to get you, stupidly believing it was for the best. But the moment I thought of you giving your heart to someone else, I saddled up and drove here to get my girl.

You’re mine, angel. Won’t let anyone take you from me. ”

The tears win out and I drop my head to his chest, sobbing uncontrollably.

It’s as if all the emotions that have been bottled up for years are pouring out.

I love him so much I can’t even imagine life without him.

I would never be able to even look at another man because my heart belongs to Officer Price.

In one way or another, it’s always been his.

I lift my head, and it nearly chokes the wind from my lungs as a tear runs down his cheek.

“I’m so sorry I hurt you, baby. I’m so sorry I didn’t shield you from the pain.”

I never thought I’d see this man cry. He’s always been my protector, my strength, but right now, I feel like I’m his safety net. I’m the one who can protect him from the hurt. I’m the one who can bring the smile back to his face.

“You only get one chance to break my heart, Lincoln.” I force my watery words out.

“I won’t let you do it again. So, if this isn’t going to end with me being your old lady, then you need to walk away and never come back.

But if you can promise me a white dress and a house full of kids, then I’m all yours. ”

“Baby.” He pulls me close and his forehead presses against mine.

“From this day until my last, my love, loyalty, and soul are laid before your feet. Every day, I’m going to fight to give you the life you deserve.

I’m going to love and protect you from all the judgement and evils in the world.

And as soon as you’ll let me, I’ll be giving you my last name. Understood?”

The warmth spreads over me like a toasty fire, making me feel calm and safe.

All those years back when I was that lost kid struggling for a place in this world, wanting to matter, so desperate to be loved, I didn’t believe it would ever happen.

I didn’t think I’d ever have the kind of love written in all those fictional books I hated to read.

But I feel like one of those girls in a romance novel who’s just been swept off her feet.

“I love you, Shayna.” Those three words may be the most powerful words in the dictionary. I can feel them burning deep in my soul.

“I love you more, Officer Price.”

“That’s real good, babe. Now, can we get your things and go home? I need to be alone with my girl.”

Now other parts of my body are starting to grow warm, but before I go anywhere, I need to make sure Izzy is safe.

“I can’t leave yet. Izzy’s ex has turned a bit crazy, and I don’t feel comfortable leaving her alone.”

His eyes narrow in and it reminds me of the officer I met all those years ago.

“Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?”

I open the door for him to enter but he stops and signals out to the parking lot, waving someone to come. Rogue is dismounting his bike and stalking forward. Out of all the Savage Knights, he has to be the most intimidating.

“Rogue is with me. Can you go warn Izz that we’re coming in?”

I dart in to tell my friend, but she’s already aware. She heard everything.

“Now, I know why you love him,” she whispers. “You don’t have to worry about me. Go have fun with your man.”

“You guys can come in,” I call to them.

As soon as the two giant men enter the small space, Izzy’s eyes flare.

She’s having the same reaction to Rogue as I did the first time I met him.

He’s somewhat terrifying in all his huge form.

Six and a half feet of muscle that’s fully painted in ink.

Dark eyes, every line on his face firmed with tension, and when he speaks, it’s more of a grunt.

“Do you um… Cookies?” she asks, swallowing hard as she rushes to the table.

“We’re okay, doll,” Link says. “Need you to tell us what’s going on with this ex of yours.”

Izzy hesitates in her nerves, so I take it upon myself to fill them in on what’s been going on with Dr. Stalker. Giving them the play-by-play of his craziness and how his persistence has been intensifying since I arrived.

“I don’t like the sound of that,” Link grunts. “Rogue, would you mind stepping outside for a word?”

The two men exit and Izzy scoots in close.

“That man is a giant, Shay. Did you see him? I think his arm is as big as my thigh. And he looks like he wants to kill me. Did you see the way he was glaring at me when I was talking?”

“That’s just Rogue. He glares at everyone. I promise he won’t hurt you. Underneath all that muscular intimidation is a genuinely nice guy.”

“If you say so.”

She looks to be heavily doubting the fact, gulping down her nerves as the guys walk back in, making her living room suddenly feel small.

“I think based on everything you’ve told us, Izz, it’d be best if you had someone here tonight to make sure your ex doesn’t try to break in. If you’re comfortable with it, Rogue will keep watch.”

“Oh…um…okay.” She turns her nervous eyes on him.

“You can sleep in my bed.” She shakes her head as her eyes grow even rounder.

“I mean… um… Not with me, but you can sleep in it alone. I mean, I’ll sleep on the couch because I don’t think you’ll fit.

Not that you’re overweight or anything. But you’re like a giant.

I mean tall. You’re really tall. But not like abnormally tall.

But like… I’m just going to stop talking now. ”

Her mouth snaps shut, and she looks to me in panic. I have to bite down harder on my tongue to keep myself from giggling. I’ve never seen Izzy this nervous before.

“I’m not taking your bed, doll. The couch is fine.” Rogue softens his voice, obviously picking up on her jitters.

“Okay… um… let me get you sheets and a pillow. And do you need a comforter, or do you get hot? I have a flannel blanket, or a thinner quilt? Let me go bring the options and you can decide.”

She darts off down the hall to her bedroom and I turn toward Link, wondering if I should really be leaving her.

“You want to go grab your things, babe, and we can head out? I need to be alone with you.”

I need that too, but my friend is the shade of a beet right now.

“Do you think it’s okay for me to leave her?” I look toward Rogue. He’s got a look in his eyes I’ve never seen before. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look anything but pissed. But he looks…. amused.

“She’ll be fine,” he grunts. “Promise I won’t let the bastard near her. If her ex comes by, I’ll be sure to call you.”

“We’ll grab a hotel room in the area, baby.

” Link moves in, wrapping his arms around me.

“In the morning, we’ll swing by and check in before the three of us head back home.

” The look in his eyes is definitely one I’ve seen before.

It sends the heat shuddering through my veins. Yeah, I’m good with that.

“Okay, let me go pack.”