Page 36 of Shadow

“Come on now, crybaby. I know you didn’t miss me that much,” Shadow chuckles, squeezing me.

I lean back so he can see my face and the proof that I absolutely did miss him this much. I know he was out killing somebody. I overheard Flyboy when he was on a call. And although he didn’t mention the word killing, I can read between the lines.

“I did. Don’t ever leave me for that long again,” I sniffle, and his eyes soften like they always do when he’s dealing with me.

His tenderness when it comes to me is why I fell in love with him so fast. No man has ever handled me with as much care as Shadow does.

“I promise, doll.” He leans in and kisses my lips softly.

“Glad everything is settled. I’m a head out.” Flyboy is just as relieved as I am.

I know he wanted to be in the mix with whatever the Sinners were doing, but he’s just a prospect, and from what I can tell, they aren’t involved in anything big.

“I appreciate you,brother.Church is tomorrow. Don’t be fucking late,” Shadow gives him a stern look but Flyboy grins widely.

Shadow puts me down to give Flyboy a bro hug. Shadow gives my unofficial bodyguard a heavy slap on the back that looks like it hurts, but Flyboy continues to smile.

“Thanks, brother. I can’t believe it. Are you sure?” Flyboy asks.

“You took care of the most important person in my life. You deserve to be a member of the Sinners. You earned your place, brother.” Shadow and Flyboy have another significant moment before Flyboy smiles and gives me a salute before leaving.

I don’t know why I feel proud of him. Although he was essentially my babysitter, and we spent a lot of time together, Flyboy isn’t a big talker. But his presence became comforting, almost like a little brother.

“Are you okay?” I question Shadow when he turns back to me.

“I am now. We got a lot to talk about, baby. Why don’t you have a seat.”

The feeling of relief leaves me, and dread replaces it.

I can’t believe everything that Shadow told me. Trey wasn’t trying to sell me to a human trafficking ring; he was trying to kill me for insurance money. What in the actual hell? We were together for months, and while I thought he was getting to know me so we could become more, he was busy planning my demise.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only victim of his sick and twisted ways either. At least ten other women have been casualties of Trey Everett. I feel bad that those women suffered at his hands, but at least he got what he deserved.

When Shadow revealed that he had killed Trey, I could see in his eyes that he thought it would change things between us. And it did. It made me trust and love him even more.

Shane Carpenter is a man of his word. Yes, he’s dangerous. Yes, he’s a killer. Yes, he’s everything my mama ever warned me against. But he’s mine.

The things he did to make sure I was safe is a forever type of love that I will never give up. No matter what life throws at us, I know we can survive.

“I’m no longer in danger. That’s a relief,” I say after what seems like hours of silence.

It took me a minute to process everything Shadow told me, but I knew that everything he told me was the truth. He didn’t go into much detail on how or when he killed Trey. As a matter of fact, he didn’t actually say he killed him. Shadow said that breathing wasn’t something that Trey had to worry about any longer.

He didn’t tell me about who took Trey or why. Shadow just assured me that there was nobodylivingthat had any reason to hurt me. Like I said before, I can read between the lines.

“Nope, nothing dangerous can touch but me…” Shadow stares at me intently, and I know what he’s asking without him saying the words.

Now that I no longer need his protection, will I walk away from him? Was my walk on the wild side just a phase? Will I leave all this behind me? My answer is simple… no!

“Hmmm. But you, the most dangerous man of them all, can touch me whenever you want.Shadow,” I purr.

“Oh, so you not only missed me… you missed my punishments.” His smile is wicked, and I lick my lips in preparation.

“You call it punishments, I call it spicy pleasure.” My squeal is loud when he scoops me up and throws me over his shoulder, and heads to his bedroom.

Epilogue

TINY DANCER