Released (Devil's Blaze MC #3)(38)

“I don’t think that would be a good idea,” I tell him.

“Too bad. I do. Now get what you need to be gone for the day and let’s get hopping. My baby needs some ice cream.”

“Ice cream!” Gabby agrees.

“Skull, after yesterday… I mean, I think it would be best if we stay away from each other, at least for a little while.”

“You’re cute,” he says, bending down to kiss my cheek. Kiss. My. Cheek.

“I’m cute? Who are you and what have you done with the man who hates me?” He laughs. Laughs. I’ve obviously entered into the Twilight Zone without realizing it. “Seriously, Skull. What has gotten into you?”

He looks me over and the heat in his eyes makes me want to melt into a puddle right where I’m standing. He leans down and whispers into my ear.

“It’s not what has gotten in me, cari?o, and everything to do with me getting inside of you. In fact, I can still feel you squeezing my cock, begging me to go deeper.”

His voice scrapes against my ear, the low vibration teasing every nerve ending I have. His words bring back memories, memories I already spent the night reliving. I moisten my lips and bite against the bottom one to keep from moaning. This is where alarms bells should be going off like crazy. I’d have to be blind, deaf, and dumb to go with him today. Stupid. I’d definitely have to be stupid.

“C’mon, mi cielo, vivir peligrosamente,” he says, watching me while holding our daughter and offering something I’ve dreamed of having. Something that can’t be real, but I don’t want to turn it down. Standing there, daring me.

Live dangerously, he says…

“Okay,” I whisper, my heart hammering until the moment it stops completely and the breath lodges in my chest—because in that moment, I get Skull smiling and happy in a way I haven’t seen since the first time we pledged our love to each other.

I hope I don’t wake up from this dream.





“Is she out?”

“Yeah, definitely down for the count,” Beth whispers, laying Gabby back down in her portable play pen that we brought. I realize I’m new to this baby thing, but I never dreamed there would be so much stuff associated with spending the day out with a kid. She’s so little, who knew you would need to bring everything along but the kitchen sink?

I’m not lying when I say I was pretty sure I was making a huge mistake planning this day out with Beth and Gabby. I might have made up my mind to keep Beth, but that didn’t mean I was ready to dive back in. Still, the more I thought on it, the more a plan began to form in my mind. I’ll reel her back in. I can make her crave me and my body, giving her so much pleasure that she never wants loose, and play to the girl I once knew, the one who wanted dates and flowers. I can do that shit. Just because I never have before doesn’t mean I can’t. I’ll give her that shit while cleaning house and getting rid of all of the threats.

Things could be different this time. I could make it so it was just the three of us…

If today is any indication, I’m completely right. It’s been a good day. No. That’s wrong. It’s been a great f*cking day, and it’s not over yet. I took Beth and Gabby to my houseboat. I just bought it a couple months ago. I needed a place to get away from the club. I’ve been so close to telling the club to f*ck off for so long, but I just couldn’t, not until I make sure the Saints and Donahues have all been neutralized. I was going to forge ahead and do it all on my own. I still will when it comes to the Saints, but I need the club resources to track down Colin.

The houseboat gives me peace, a peace I’ve been unable to recapture since my days back in Georgia. I have it docked at Holly Bay on Laurel Lake. It’s peaceful and, not counting Dragon, there isn’t anyone in the world who knows I own it—except Beth, now. I got them onboard and took them out into the middle of the lake and dropped anchor. I played with my daughter, spent time flirting with Beth, and imagined this might be what life could be if I didn’t have the weight of the club on my shoulders—the life I need to make sure those I love stay safe.

Now the sun is starting to wane. Its golden rays are reflecting on the lake still, but now have shadows chasing them. Once Beth gets Gabby settled, I grab the little portable monitor she brought and take her hand. She looks down as my fingers join with hers slowly. When she looks back up, I see the questions in her eyes, but she doesn’t say anything to ruin the moment. I lead her back to the top deck, letting her sit on the sofa that’s there while I go to prepare the grill.

“Hungry?” I ask her, igniting the gas once I have the chips arranged to give it that applewood flavor.

“Famished. What’s for dinner?”

“I’m going all out, querida,” I tell her, then wink. “Burgers.”

She studies my face before giving me a soft smile. “Can I help?”

“You are. You’re giving me a f*cking great view while I cook.” She shakes her head in disagreement, but turns away to look out over the water.

“Do you like Kentucky?” she asks.

“Never really thought about it. At first it was just a place to get away from the memories. Slowly, it became home,” I tell her, trying to tread carefully. “Tell me about your life while you were away, querida.”

“Skull,” she starts, her voice tight.