“Yeah?” he rasped out, and I detect the pain in his voice.
“I am sorry that you lost them both in such violent ways. About how you and Sia were forced apart,” I told him sincerely.
“Baby…” he whispered, his forehead replacing his chin on my shoulder. I held onto his arms tightly, and I really wanted to say something.
Turning around to face Ky, my back resting against the stable door, Ky’s sad eyes met mine. “You are a good man, Ky. A very good man. Your mother would be proud of you, of how you have cared for Sia.”
Ky glanced away, but then huffed a humorless laugh. “I’m exactly like my old man, Li. My momma would be turning in her grave if she could see just how much I was like him.”
“No—” I went to argue, my hand on his cheek, but Ky cut me off.
“I’m a whore, Li. I fuck around. I’ve had so much * that a slut I’ve fucked could stand right in front of me and I wouldn’t even recognize her face. I’m the VP of an outlaw MC, and I’m a ruthless bastard—just like my old man. And I ain’t ever been good to no one. Fuck! I am my old man!”
My heart broke as those words spilled from his lips. It was the first time I had seen this hard and flirtatious man look vulnerable. Ky Willis suddenly became a little more transparent in his actions. And I could finally understand why he behaved like he did… he was simply lost too. Another broken child of circumstance.
“But you are not like that with me,” I reassured and Ky stilled, his eyebrows pulled down.
“What?”
Taking a deep breath, I repeated, “You are not that way with me. You are caring. You are loving. You are my teacher, my protector. You keep me safe. Ky, you are my safety.”
Ky’s mouth opened, but then quickly closed again. He stared and stared into my eyes and I could see a storm of emotions flash through his light eyes. And then Ky pressed his chest flush against mine, his hands holding the sides of my neck.
He searched my face for something, I did not know what for. His eyes closed and his forehead dropped to mine. “Fuck, baby… Not with you…” was all he said before taking his mouth with mine, his tender kiss telling me more than any words could… he adored me.
I adored him back.
*****
The next two days were the happiest of my life.
“It was lovely to meet you,” I told Sia as she hugged me goodbye. I felt sad that I was leaving my new friend.
“You’ll be seeing me soon, Lilah,” Sia said with a knowing smile. “You can count on that.”
Sia turned to Ky and he lifted her off the floor, gripping her tight. Her mouth went to his ear and I heard her say, “You’ve found her, Ky. You’ve found the one for you. Protect her, and don’t fuck this up. Remember, you’re not our father.”
Ky kissed her cheek and we got into the truck, pulling on to the dirt track and leaving the solace of the ranch behind.
It was not long before we reached the compound, to the place where Tiff and Jules had attacked me, to the place where my quarters felt like a prison, and to a place filled with sinners who reminded me every day of the Cursed woman I was.
Chapter Thirteen
Ky
“How’s your woman doing?”
Hush and Cowboy took a seat beside me on the bench, and I passed them each a beer from my six-pack.
I shrugged and stared out at the rest of the brothers drinking and fucking around with sluts. That used to be me. But my mind, and my dick, seemed only to have time for one bitch nowadays.
“She’s bruised, scared shitless. Won’t leave her room again… We’re right back to square one. Yeah, she’s fuckin’ terrified.”
Hush sighed and Cowboy slapped me on my back. “She’s one good bitch, Ky. I gotta lotta time for that woman.”
I fixed my attention on Cowboy and snarled, my upper lip curling as jealous possession made me lose control. Cowboy smirked and removed his hand from my back. “Don’t sweat it, brother. I ain’t gonna be a threat to your girl.”