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“Where are we?” I asked, swinging my body off his motorcycle.
Like last time, vibrations ran through my body, the little tremors rushing up my bones. I ignored the sensations it drove into my core, because I’d grown certain Cook didn’t want me in that way.
It fucking hurt, but who could blame him? I was used goods. Spoiled by Signora.
Trash, by anyone’s standards.
“It’s a club.” Cook swung off his bike too, not looking at me.
A lump formed in my throat. “A club?” Visions of Enigma rooted me to the pavement.
He reached for my hand, but I pulled it behind my back.
“Maddie?” Cook stepped closer, towering over me. The uncertainty that seemed to twist his features disappeared, and he said, “You are safe with me. Always safe. Tell me you understand.”
Tension seeped away. “I understand.”
He reached up and ran the pad of his thumb over the small space between my brows. “Do you have a question?”
“This isn’t a club like Tommy G.’s?” I asked, casting my gaze downward.
“Fuck no,” he barked, and I jumped.
Cook pulled me into his arms and cradled the back of my head.
“No,” he said, softer now. “You’ll see.”
Stepping back, he gave me the space to choose by holding out his hand, and I immediately slipped my fingers between his.
His hot skin calmed me, like always. Even if he didn’t want me, at least he let me stay, took care of me, and fed me. I loved how he cooked for us every night after he came back from whatever business he had with the others. He also kept others away from our house. He was theprotector I needed, whether he understood that or not.
I walked a step behind, trusting him. Wherever he took me. Whatever we did. I couldn’t help but hesitate when some things struck a memory, but he was patient. Tolerant.
Cook leaned toward me. “Ward recommended this place.”
Squeezing his hand, I surprised even myself when I asked, “Can we have him and Belle back for dinner?”
“Of course,” he answered absently and guided me toward the stairs.
I ran my fingertips over the corrugated metal wall as we climbed.
He stopped me on the landing outside the doors. “You and me, Maddie. This is going to be new for both of us.”
I bobbed my head. “I trust you.”
Thankfully he was starting to refer tousas one. I had felt it the moment we met each other at Signora’s, but he’d stayed away from me so far. That kiss next to his motorcycle just made me hungry.
“You’re after something, Maddie.” His voice was low, like a secret meant for just us two. “I want to give it to you, but I’m not sure if I can.”
“You’re exactly what I need,” I whispered so quietly I wasn’t sure he could hear.
Cook wove his fingers in my hair. “Be patient.”
I wasn’t sure I could be, didn’t understand why he wouldn’t take me. All the other men, except my father, took me too. Perhaps that’s what I sensed about Cook. He wouldn’ttakewithout concern forme.
Cook kissed my forehead, tender like a father would be for a child and my insides threatened to flood out. I couldn’t deny anything he asked. Ever.
He took me by the hand and led me into Serenity.
