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SEVEN

“ I saw where Tom Warren was murdered.”

“Yeah, I heard about that.”

“You think he was the reason I had my bad feeling?”

“There’s no telling.” It had been a couple of days since we’d last talked, and when Mom called tonight, I was hoping things had settled with her. Clearly, that wasn’t the case. “You still having it?”

“Yes, but it’s not like it was before.” She paused for a minute to think, then sighed, “More like a gnawing feeling.”

“Like the worst is yet to come?”

“Oh, I don’t know about that, but I do wonder what Tom’s death will mean for you.”

“About that…” I didn’t see any point in keeping it from her, so I told her, “I saw Tallie.”

“You did? When?”

“A couple of nights ago.”

“I thought she was still in New York.”

“She was, but she’s back now.”

“Well, how about that.” I could almost hear the wheels turning in her head. “I had no idea.”

“Neither did I until Rooks messaged me.”

“You heard from Rooks, too? I never would’ve expected that.” Before I had a chance to respond, she asked, “Well, how did it go with Tallie? Was she happy to see you? Did you guys talk things out? Are you going to see her again?”

“We didn’t really get a chance to talk. She’s got a lot on her plate with her dad and all, but I plan on seeing her again.”

Mom was there when everything went down with Tallie. She knew how hard it had been on me, so I wasn’t surprised when she asked, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m good.”

“Good. Just be careful.”

“I will.”

“I’m serious, Holt. I don’t want you taking any unnecessary chances.”

“Mom, it’s Tallie .”

“It’s not her I’m worried about.” She let out a dramatic sigh, then said, “Your father never wanted me to say anything, but you know he used to clean their father’s office.”

“I think I remember that.”

“Well, he saw things, Holt. Things that he shouldn’t have.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. I just know he was fired because of whatever he found.” I could hear the regret and worry in her voice as she said, “And I shouldn’t say this out loud, but a piece of me has always wondered if Tom was behind your father’s death.”

“Mom, it was an accident. He wasn’t paying attention and got too close to the train track. You know this.”

“I know he saw those papers and was fired. I know just days later that Tom sent Tallie away, and then we lost your dad a couple of weeks after that.”

“I know, Mom. I was there and thinking all this is anything more than a coincidence is a stretch.”

“But what if it’s not.”

“Mom.”

“Just promise me you will be careful.”

I could see that she was going through something, so I decided not to mention that Tallie had a kid and that there was a possibility he was mine. I just didn’t think it was the right time, especially when I wasn’t certain. I was wiped and ready to call it a night, so I said, “I’m always careful. You don’t gotta worry about me.”

“I’m your mother. It’s my job to worry.”

“Well, take the night off and get you some rest.”

“I’ll do what I can. Good night, sweetheart.”

“Night, Mom.”

I ended the call, then tossed my phone onto the bedside table. I kicked off my boots and took off my clothes before crawling into bed. I just wanted to catch up on some sleep, but I couldn’t stop thinking about everything my mother had said. I had no idea if there was any validity to her suspicions, but there was no denying that it did seem a bit questionable.

It was something I would look into, but only after I got things sorted with Tallie. Shep had told me to give her some time, and that’s what I tried to do. But patience had never been one of my strong suits, and I was struggling. I’d tried to busy myself at the Vault, working on the books, monitoring the run, and checking the new supply—anything I could find to keep myself distracted.

At night, I would try to sleep, but every time I closed my eyes, I’d find her staring back at me. I tried to push the thoughts from my mind, just long enough to finally get some damn sleep, but it was useless. After hours of tossing and turning, I accepted my fate and let the memories roll in.

Tonight, there was one memory that sank its teeth in deep, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake it.

It was the summer that I lost her.

She was just about to graduate from high school, and all was right in the world. She had just come in from graduation practice, and her hair was damp with sweat. It had been sweltering hot all week, and as soon as she walked in, she started pulling off her wet clothes. “Mind if I take a quick shower?”

“Go for it.” I fell back on her bed and propped my head up on her pillow. “I’ll be here when you get out.”

“Great.” She grabbed her things and started for the bathroom. “I won’t be long.”

“Take your time.”

I heard the water turn on, and it wasn’t long before the provocative thoughts started rolling in. I was a twenty-year-old hormone with two feet, so it was no surprise that I couldn’t stop thinking about her hot little body in that shower with the hot water streaming over her perfect breasts.

I tried to resist the temptation, but before I’d even thought things through, I was up off the bed and stripping off my clothes. Her folks were at work, and Rooks was off with his latest arm candy, so I didn’t have to worry about any of them walking in on us.

When I stepped inside the bathroom, I could see her silhouette standing behind the curtain, and I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful sight. This girl had it all. She was smart and beautiful, and she was mine. All mine.

I’d only been standing there for a moment when Tallie peeked her head out from behind the curtain. Desire flashed through her eyes as she glanced down at my bare skin and smiled.

“What took you so long?” she teased playfully.

Without hesitation, I pulled back the curtain and stepped inside the shower. Her arms wound around my neck, and my dick immediately grew hard when I felt her perfect breasts pressed against my chest. Noticing my aroused state, she smiled and then slowly dropped down to her knees.

My cock twitched as her hands trailed up my legs.

We’d started having sex right after her eighteenth birthday, but with her, it always felt like the first time. Her greedy eyes stared at my growing erection, and her fingers gently wrapped around me, moving ever so slowly up and down my dick. I was completely lost the moment her tongue flicked across the head of my cock.

She started slowly, swirling her tongue lightly against the tip before taking it deeply into her mouth. A deep growl vibrated through my chest as her fingers tightened around me. Her mouth felt so fucking good wrapped around me, sucking with just the right amount of pressure. My hands twisted in her damp hair, guiding her as she continued to suck and stroke me.

Unable to control myself, I pushed further into her mouth. Knowing that she was driving me wild, her pace quickened, making my cock throb with need. The combination of the hot water from the shower and the soft warmth of her mouth had me in a state of ecstasy, but I wanted more.

Confusion crossed her face as I reached down and gently lifted her to her feet. As I handed her a towel, I told her, “I need to be inside you. Now.”

Once we were dried off, I bent down and lifted her into my arms, carrying her into the room. I dropped her onto the bed and then reached for my jeans. I took out a condom, and she watched with anticipation as I rolled it down my long, thick shaft. Her flushed body squirmed against the mattress as she pleaded, “Hurry.”

“Are you sure you want me to do that?” I teased as I lowered myself between her legs. I raked my tongue firmly across her clit, causing her to squirm beneath me.

Her fingers dug into the sheets, twisting them tightly in her hands as she gasped, “Oh, God.”

Her back arched off the bed as I pressed the flat of my tongue against her sensitive flesh. I softly teased back and forth in a gentle rhythm against her, loving the way her body instantly reacted to my tongue. Needing more, my hands slid under her, and I pulled her closer to my mouth as I relished in her taste. Her body tensed as little groans and whimpers vibrated through the room.

I loved seeing her come apart, knowing that I was in complete control of her as I watched her body respond to my touch. Her fingers dove into my hair, guiding me as her knees opened wider. She was close to the edge, and I couldn’t wait a minute longer. I had to be inside her. Her eyes locked on mine as I lifted my body up between her legs.

“Yes,” she moaned as I centered myself at her entrance. She wrapped her legs around my waist, pulling me towards her, and wound her arms around my neck. I felt her tremble beneath me as I slid deep inside her. I stilled, not because I wanted to, but because I had to. She felt so perfectly wet and tight that I had to fight the urge to come from just being inside her.

“You feel so damned good,” I growled as I started to move, grinding against her until I found the steady, hard pace that I knew she was desperate for. I wanted to watch her come apart, to hear all those little sounds she made, and feel her body grow rigid as she found her release.

I began to drive deeper and harder. Her head reared back as she moaned, “Oh, God! Holt, don’t stop!”

Her nails dug into my lower back as her hips rocked against mine, meeting my every thrust with more force and more intensity. I could feel the pressure building, forcing a deep, needful growl from my chest.

Just watching the look on her face as I drove deep inside her made me come undone. I quickened my pace, pounding into her again and again, each thrust more demanding than the last.

She ground her hips against mine, matching my relentless rhythm, as she whimpered, “More.”

Fuck. My girl wanted more, and that’s just what I gave her. Her grip on my shoulders tightened as I tilted her hips, driving deeper and harder with every move. I felt her clamp down around my cock, letting me know that her climax was approaching. When her body started to writhe and jolt, my resistance broke, and I came deeply inside her.

I’d barely caught my breath when she whispered, “I can’t wait until we have a place of our own.”

“Why’s that?”

“So, we can do that any time we want.”

“Yeah, that will be nice.”

I tossed the condom in the trash, then laid down next to her. Without missing a beat, she curled up next to me and rested her head on my shoulder. “I don’t want to live in the city. I want a little house in the country. Three or four bedrooms with a big backyard, a wraparound porch, and a barn. And I want goats. Little baby ones with bells around their necks and a big dog and a baby cow.”

“You do realize that baby cows and goats grow up to be big goats and cows.”

“Yeah, but then, they can have their own babies.” Her eyes lit up as she said, “And I want a pottery room with enough room for a crochet corner.”

“But you don’t crochet.”

“Not yet, but I plan to learn.”

“Okay. You can have a crochet corner. Hell, you can have whatever you want.”

“What about you?” She eased up on her elbow and looked at me with her big, baby blues. “What do you want?”

“Just you.” I eased up and gave her a kiss. “You’re the only thing I want or need.”

I woke up the next morning knowing I couldn’t stand it a second longer. I had to see her and find out what the hell was going on. I threw the covers back and pulled myself out of bed. I threw on some clothes, my boots, and my cut, then headed for the parking lot.

The clubhouse was quiet. Most of the guys were in the kitchen having their morning coffee or hadn’t made it in yet. It was too early to be hunting down Tallie, but my mind had been set. I had almost reached the back door when Shep called out to me, “Where you headed?”

“I’m going to see Tallie,” I said, not bothering to sugarcoat it. “I’m done waiting. It’s time we talked this out.”

“Understood. You checked with Skid or Duggar to see if she’s still at the hotel?”

I’d put Duggar and Skid on Tallie right after she’d admitted that she’d been followed and that her folks place had been vandalized. They’d managed to stay under the radar, from her and the people who might be following her, and I’d been thankful that neither of them had witnessed anything concerning.

Tallie and her mother had been holed up at the hotel for several days, only leaving to go to the police station or the funeral home. Only real news they had was Rooks had shown up. He’d gotten a room at the same hotel and was helping them out with all the loose ends with their father’s death. While I had no desire to see him, I was more than ready to see his sister.

“Yeah, she’s still there. Hoping to beat them before they head out for the day.”

“Need me to tag along?”

“Nah, this is something I need to do on my own.”

“Alright. Just give me a shout if you need me.”

“Will do.”

I continued for the door, but didn’t get far before Shep called out again, “Hey.”

When I turned to face him, he gave me a brotherly nod and said, “Good luck.”

“Thanks, brother.”

I continued out to the parking lot and went straight to my bike. It was still fairly cool for a bike ride, but I didn’t mind. I needed the bite of cold air to help distract me from the crazy that was running through my head. I kicked my leg over the seat, pulled on my helmet, and turned the key. Seconds later, I was through the gate on my way to the hotel.

I parked on the side street and headed inside.

I had one thing on my mind as I started through the door, and one thing only. That was finding Tallie and getting answers about her son. I almost didn’t notice Duggar sitting in the corner with his cup of coffee. I gave him a quick nod, then started over to the front desk.

As soon as I stepped into the lobby, I spotted him.

He was sitting on one of the sofas with his nose buried in one of those handheld video games, but I could see him well enough to know it was him. He looked just like the picture Shep had shown me, only, in person, he looked even more like me. His nose. His jawline. Hell, even the way he furrowed his brows while playing his game resembled me.

It was like looking back in time, and as I stood there, watching him, I knew the answer. This kid was mine.

I knew the second Shep showed me his picture but seeing him now hit me harder than I could’ve ever imagined. He got frustrated with his game and tossed it on the cushion next to him. He leaned back and ran his hand over his face, just like I did every time I got aggravated. Damn. Even his mannerisms were like mine.

I wanted to say something, do something, but I just stood there gawking at him like an idiot. And then, like he’d sensed me looking, his head turned, and his eyes locked onto mine. It was only for a moment, but it was enough for me to muster the courage to try to talk to him.

I took a step forward but stopped when I saw Tallie walking over with a cup of coffee in her hand. Like on instinct, her eyes found mine, and she stopped dead in her tracks. Her mouth dropped as she turned and looked at our son and then back to me.

She knew I’d seen him. She raised her hand, signaling for me to give her a moment. I gave her a nod and watched as she walked over to the kid. She placed her cup of coffee on the table next to him, and then, after whispering something to him, she turned and started over to me.

My eyes were trained on the kid when she approached and asked, “Holt, what are you doing here?”

“He’s mine, isn’t he?”

“Holt.”

“ Just tell me .”

“Yes, he’s yours.”