Page 27

Kiki

I think the hardest part of all of this is waiting when the guys go out on a run or out to handle something. It’s stressful.

I woke up alone, and I knew he had left. I didn’t need to ask, but I did anyway, and all I was told was they had a lead on Spike. That stressed me out even more. I don’t know what’s happening. Hodge and Dad both left with him, from what I was told.

“You okay?” Duke asks.

“Do I look okay? I’m stressed, Duke,” I whine.

“I know you are, but they’ll be fine. They have this handled.”

“How do you know that?”

“I’m the old wise one, that’s how. You know I’ve known your dad since he was a kid? I watched him grow into the man he is today.”

“Really? I never knew that.”

“He don’t tell anyone much of anything. He was a wild child. Much like you,” he laughs.

“I’m not wild. I just made bad decisions.”

“But those decisions brought you back here, yeah?” he asks.

“I suppose they did,” I tell him with a smile.

“We’re all glad you’re here. I know your dad is, for sure. You make this place better.” His words make my heart swell.

“Don’t get all girly on me, Duke,” I laugh.

“Never, sweetheart. I’m just tryin’ to tell you that this is home no matter how hard it gets. You’ll always belong here.” I lean and hug him now, holding him tightly.

“Thanks, Duke. I appreciate that.”

“Well, I know things haven’t been easy with Locke, but I know that man cares about you. You can see it in his eyes. He’s just a little rougher around the edges, yeah?”

“Yeah, he is, but I love him, Duke. I wasn’t sure I could love anyone, but I feel it.”

“Then you hold onto that, darlin’. You keep him by your side.” The door opens, and the guys begin to filter in, laughing and talking. I watch them, wondering what happened. Then I see him. Locke is covered in blood, while the others aren’t. My mouth falls open as I take him in. Then his eyes find mine. And they lock there.

“Go to your man.” Duke gives me a nudge. I climb off the stool and walk toward him slowly, still taking him in as he eyes me back. The guys all split and let me through and then I’m standing right in front of him.

“You’re covered in blood,” I say as he looks down at me.

“Not all mine.”

“What does that mean? You’re bleeding?”

“Not much,” he answers, keeping his eyes on mine.

“Where?”

“Doesn’t matter.” He leans down and lifts me in his arms. I wrap my legs around his waist and hold onto him as he stalks through the main room and down the hall. We’re in his room in seconds, the door slamming behind us. Then he’s kissing me, and I don’t know if it’s his blood or Spike’s I taste, but I don’t pull away. I kiss him back, loving every second of it.

When Locke finally pulls back, he rests his forehead on mine.

“I need to wash this off,” he says.

“I want you.”

“You have me. All of me.”

“I need more, Locke. I want every part of you.”

“You have it, Kiki. I don’t give my heart away freely, but you’ve managed to wrap your little hand around it and take it. It’s yours now,” he confesses to me, causing my heart to swell.

Locke stands me on my feet and nods toward my clothes as he strips out of his. I watch him intently until he’s finished and offers me his hand. I take it in mine, and he leads me into the bathroom, starting the shower. Once it’s warm, he pulls me inside with him and closes the curtain.

“I wanna say somethin’ to you. Somethin’ I never thought I would say. I know I fucked up, Kiki. I did shit I’m not proud of. I hurt you, and that’s the main thing I can’t let go of. I was actin’ just like him, and I hate it. I hate myself for it. Fuck, I can’t even forgive myself for it,” he admits as he looks me in the eye.

“Locke,” I begin, but he shakes his head, stopping me.

“Let me finish, baby. I’m not him. I don’t wanna be him. I’ll never fuckin’ hurt you again, Kiki. I will never let myself get that far gone again. You’re already my old lady, but I want more. I need more.”

“You have all of me, Locke. I’ll give you whatever you want.”

“You will?”

“Of course I will,” I tell him truthfully. “What more do you want?”

“I want you, Kiki. I want a family. I want to marry you and put babies in you. I want it all.” My heart stammers in my chest as I look up at him. I wasn’t sure he would want kids after everything that happened.

“You’re sure?” I ask him as he nods his head. Water cascades around us as I stare at the man I fell hard and fast for.

“I’m sure. I won’t fuck up again, Kiki. I promise,” he vows to me.

“I know you won’t. I love you, Locke.”

“I love you too, baby. Now turn around,” he demands. I turn around, and his hands find my shoulders, slowly massaging them before I feel his cock hard, ready for me. I bend over slightly, giving him the best angle I can before he slides into me.

“You’re so fuckin’ tight,” he hisses as his hands wrap around my hips, and he starts thrusting into me.

“God, I need you,” I whine as he picks up his pace. He plunges into me, deeper and deeper, and with every stroke, I know this is where I’m meant to be. I’m meant to be with him.