Never Love An Outlaw (Deadly Pistols MC #1)(66)

“This is crazy!” My eyes were about to pop out of my head. “Skin, come on, can't we figure something else out?”

“No.”

One word, like thunder in his voice. Amazing how he could melt everything else inside me as easily as he melted my panties. I couldn't think of a good argument against his idea either, however insane it seemed.

I wasn't going to tell him about the detective unless I needed to. He'd saved my life and I'd given him and his club a second chance. I meant to keep on giving it too, even if I had to handle everything on that end myself.

I had a lot to learn about this lifestyle I'd taken on, but I knew my old man deserved better than having more problems dumped in his lap. Daddy had the pull to put this to rest once and for all.

Maybe Skin was right. I'd lied to my parents enough. Hell, my father knew I'd done as much.

Muddying the truth wasn't going to bring us closer.

With a heavy sigh, I tapped my dad's cell on my screen and held it up to my ear.

“Jesus, Megan! Where the hell have you been? I was about to call the police.”

“What?” My heart went into overdrive. “Why?”

“Had a little chat with Becky this morning to see how she's getting along with the car business. She told me she'd seen you leave a few hours ago, but I know a girl who's tongue tied. It took her three times to get her story straight!”

Shit. I almost died on the spot between Dad's angry disappointment growling in my ear, and Skin's stern eyes fixed on me, turning me to stone.

“I'm sorry I lied to you.” Bitterness crept into my voice. The truth always stung, but it was the only thing that could save me now.

“My God, honey. You don't know the damage you've done.” He let out a long sigh. “Where are you, then? Are you on drugs? Did the man who took you away get you hooked?”

“No, Daddy, no.” I cringed, turning away from Skin. “Nothing like that.”

“I don't understand. You'd better start talking.”

“There's someone else. I've met a man. He helped me get away from the whorehouse alive, and I think I'm falling for him.”

My ears buzzed as I waited through the long, awkward pause.

“Now, honey, you listen to me. Very carefully. I know you mean well and I'm sure you believe this man is on your side. But you're in no condition to see anyone until you get your head straight. Come home. We'll sort all this out, and maybe someday you can visit this...gentleman after you're healed.”

Gentleman was the last thing Daddy believed about my love. And he wasn't completely wrong. But the contempt in his voice hurt.

I definitely couldn't go back. He'd drag me off to the clinic kicking and screaming, anything to spare the family more embarrassment.

“I can't do that yet,” I said softly. “I'm telling you the truth, but I think we both need time to process. You don't understand, Daddy. I wish you did. I'm happy when I'm with Skin. I'm me again.”

Crap. I let his name slip before I could catch myself. If only I'd used Parker, something normal, maybe I wouldn't have had another pause twice as long, before he exploded.

“Skin? Skin!? Jesus Christ, Megan, you've got to be kidding me. Where's the punchline? What kind of disgusting low life are you spending your time with? What kind of drugs is he giving you to tear you away from your own family, your mother and father who love and support you?”

“I told you, I'm not on any f*cking drugs!” I broke, hot tears falling down my face.

How could he think I was lying now? Sure, I'd done it once or twice, but now I was telling him the stark, cold truth. I'd tell him everything else, even if he disowned me and cut me out of the family fortune, if only he'd shut up and listen for a change.

“I'm only going to say it one more time, honey.” Rage sizzled in Dad's voice. “Come home. Let us get you some help. Forget all about this Skin, and everything that happened to you before. I've turned away reports and gotten the cops off your back for more than a week, and you'd better hope to high heaven they never find out about these lies. You owe us, Megan. ”

My heart stopped cold, along with my tears. Hot anger hissed through my blood, slowing the heartbreak, an indignation I hadn't felt since watching the pimp die on Skin's phone.

“I don't owe you anything, Daddy. Don't call me again. I'll call you.” I killed the connection and angrily stuffed it into my purse.

Skin's strong arms curled around me before I could take another breath. “You okay, babe? Heard it didn't go so well.”

“It's going to take time.” I rubbed his arm, clutched it desperately. I couldn't fit in with my own family anymore, but I could as his woman, his old lady. “I don't care what he says anymore, Skin. Everything I need today is right here.”

“You're damned right. Now, dry those eyes and kiss me again.”

His lips took away the pain, just like they always did.

I had to be patient. I had to keep my wits.

We'd survived so much in such a short time, and this was just one more fiery hoop to climb through. But we'd do it, together, no matter how hot it burned.

I hadn't met anything that would keep me away from this man, and God willing, I never would.