“It’s got two bedrooms and two bathrooms, so you’ll have as much privacy as you want.”I opened the door and let her go in ahead of me.“If you’re not comfortable with me staying with you, I’ve still got my old quarters.I didn’t let Knuckles order anyone to move my shit.”
“No!I want you here!”She slid her hands up my chest to circle my neck and pull me down for a kiss.“I’m nervous, but I trust you and I’ll feel better with you here.”
“I know this is a lot for you to adjust to in not a lot of time.But you saw how everyone worked at the Iron Tzars while we were there.Right?”When she nodded, I continued.“It’s the same here.We support each other no matter what.Probably more so here because of our shared experiences in prison and our respect for Knuckles.”
“Yeah.I could see that.I only saw part of how things were for you, but I saw enough.While there were some inmates I thought deserved everything they were getting, the whole process just seemed a bit dehumanizing.Treat someone like an animal long enough and they become one.”
“Knuckles helped all of us at some point while we were inside.So, yeah.I guess what you said is true, but it’s also paying it forward.”
Nadine smiled at me before turning to take in the room which ended up into an airy living space with floor to ceiling windows along two sides.There was a couch that had seen better days, but was clean.A sturdy coffee table sat in front of the couch and a flat screen was mounted on the wall.The kitchen was small but functional with dark wood cabinets and stainless-steel appliances that gleamed under the overhead lights.Two doors led off the main room, one to the bathroom, the other to the second bedroom.
“Two-bedroom suite,” I told her as she walked around, opening a closet door.I shoved my hands in my pockets.“There’s a bathroom through there.”I gestured toward the hallway.“And the main bedroom is at the other end with its own bathroom.You can have that room.”
“Aren’t you sharing it with me?”She turned back to me, meeting my gaze from across the small distance.
“If you want me to.But I want you to know that’s your space.I’ll be there if you want me, but only by your invitation.”
Her expression relaxed.We’d only had the one interlude together before we’d slept, and then we’d left to come here.I knew she was still unsure about me, but I thought it was in the sense that she was afraid I was playing with her somehow.It might be easier on me if I was, because I could see her unease with my club.The difference in her body language at the Iron Tzars compound and here at Kiss of Death told me a lot.I was sure she was trying to reconcile the fact that everyone here had served time in prison for one reason or another and that none of us were truly bad men.We defended those we loved to the death, but we had our own code and we stuck to it.
“Well, you have an open invitation.If I decide I don’t want you there, I’ll rescind that invitation.”
I leaned down to kiss her, needing to taste her one more time before I left.“I’ve got to meet with Knuckles,” I said.“Club business.Won’t be long.”
“Are you sure about this, Pain?”Her voice was steady and there was still a sweet smile on her face, but there was an edge to it.Maybe a hint of fear.
“Yeah,” I said with complete confidence.“I’ve never been more sure of anything.I’ll be back soon.Soak in the bath.Then get some rest.”
“Thank you, Pain.”She rested her forehead against my chest briefly before looking back up at me.“Thanks for coming for me.I can’t even think about what would have happened if you hadn’t.”
“Honey, I’ll always come for you.Always.No matter what, I’ll always find a way to get to you.”
After I left our apartment, I went back to the main clubhouse in the compound.I pushed open the heavy door to Knuckles’ office.
The room smelled faintly of motor oil and sweat, a mix that helped settle me by surrounding me with all the familiar things I’d left behind.Knuckles was already there, leaning back in his chair with a half-empty bottle of Jack on the desk.His thick arms were crossed over his chest, and that permanent scowl carved into his face like someone chiseled it out of stone was firmly in place.
“Pain,” he grunted as I stepped in, shutting the door behind me.“Took your sweet fuckin’ time.”
“Had shit to do,” I said, dropping into the chair across from him with a grin.We both knew I wasn’t coming to see him before I got Nadine settled.
Knuckles grinned back, warm and inviting.It wasn’t a look I’d have associated with Knuckles before, but things were different now.“Good to have you back, Pain.”
“Good to be back.”
“I still think your brother could have gotten you off.”
I shrugged.“I didn’t deserve it.I did the crime; I did the time.Besides, if you’ve talked to Wyatt about this, he’d agree with me.Otherwise, hewouldhave gotten me off.I’d still be working at the hospital, and I’d never have met Nadine.”I took a breath before meeting Knuckles’ gaze.“She’s mine, Knuckles.I’m sure I can convince her to stay with me.She wants to, though she’s being cautious.”
“Given she worked in a prison, that’s not unexpected.She’s just been thrust into what could be her worst nightmare if we were like some clubs.”Knuckles picked up a pen and twirled it absently between his fingers.“How’s she holdin’ up?”
I shrugged.“Not bad.She had a rough time processing everything that happened at her home, but she’s trying.I think with some time, and getting to know the other old ladies, she’ll fit in here perfectly.”
There was silence and I knew there was another reason Knuckles wanted to meet with me.“We might have a situation.We’re trying to take care of it, but this was something that hit us out of the blue.I’m telling you privately because this literally just happened.While you were on your way here from Iron Tzars last night.”
OK, that didn’t sound good.“What’s going on?”
“The city just hired a new police chief.He’s coming in from Memphis.Bringin’ his core officers in the department, who also happen to be his muscle on the inside.”
“I don’t understand.”
