Once we are out of Boss’s office, Reno pulls me into his arms and presses a soft kiss to my lips. He pulls back and searches my eyes. “Let me take you somewhere,” he says.
My heart pounds in my chest as I nod my head. I don’t even question where we are going because as long as I’m with him, that’s all that matters to me.
As I hold onto him as the wind whips by me, I rest my chest against his back. We’ve been riding for a while, and it’s exactly what I need to clear my head. Being on the back of his bike is like therapy. It relaxes me, brings me focus, and grounds me. I’m not totally sure if it’s being on his bike or being pressed up against him. Either way, I’m grateful.
When we make a left, and the entrance comes into view, I tighten my hold on him. He brought me to Rutgers University. My eyes fill with tears, but these aren’t sad tears. These are tears of appreciation. He really does support my dreams, and this just proves it to me.
He parks his bike, and we climb off. I spin around, taking in the campus around me. It’s beautiful and so full of life. Students excitedly talk and laugh as they walk by. There’s a football game going on, and the crowd is unbelievable. I’m not interested in going to games or hanging around campus, but I am interested in a school that has students wanting to be here. No matter what the reason is.
“I thought we could get an idea of what you thought of this school. I did a lot of research, and they are in the top hundred for the best law schools. It’s entirely up to you what you want to do, Valencia, but I thought we should come visit so you could get a feel for it all,” he says, looking around.
I step into him and grab his full attention. He gives me that sexy grin, and I press a kiss to the corner of his mouth. My eyes collide with his as I smile. “This is the most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you, Reno.”
He tosses me a wink and steps back, linking around fingers together. “Let’s go explore.”
We spend the next few hours walking around the beautiful campus and even take a minute to peek over at the football game going on. You can feel the excitement from the crowd, and it’s a thrill even if I don’t enjoy football. Reno brings me to the Office of the Registrar, and I sit down to talk with a very friendly woman. We talked for a while about what classes I’d taken and what classes I’ll need to take. Thankfully she gave me lots of papers to read over for a better understanding of it all. My excitement to continue my education has my heart pounding, and I made an appointment to talk with her virtually in a few days.
As we walk back to his bike, he looks down at me and smiles. “You can feel it can’t you?”
I dip my eyebrows and glance up at him. “Feel what?”
“The change. You’re taking your life back. I can see it in your eyes. You’re ready for this, Valencia, and I’m ready to watch it happen,” he says, squeezing my fingers with his.
He’s right, I can feel it, and it’s fucking empowering.
We decided to go get something to eat, and we found a cute little restaurant not far from Rutgers. It sits on the water, and the views are amazing. It’s a small place, but definitely popular if all the people here are any indication.
After the waitress takes our order, he reaches across the table and grabs my hand. I lift my eyes to him, and he searches mine. I’m not entirely sure what he’s looking for, but I hope he finds it. Today has been a whirlwind between stepping out from behind my secrets to focusing on my future, and I owe it all to Reno. He’s shown me what it’s like to truly care for someone and support them no matter what. It’s not something I’ve experienced in my life, and I put into words how grateful I am that I’m living it now.
“I know it was hard for you to tell Boss and me about your past today.” I nod, and he tightens his hold on my hand. “No more secrets, alright? I don’t give a shit what it is. I want to know. The only way for me to keep you safe is to know the truth. I’m not going anywhere, baby. Trust in that,” he says.
I lean across the table and press my lips to his. I have no other way to say thank you. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted, but I didn’t think something like that existed. The life I lived was awful, and my relationship with Tarquin was even worse. Reno has put me back together and breathed life into me. He’s healed my wounds and shown me compassion. I’m where I’m supposed to be.
Here with Reno and the Iron Vex MC.
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
Reno
Since Valencia came clean with everything about her past, we’re in a much better place. It’s not even about the two of us, though. I can tell Boss has been calmed down by finally knowing what the hell is going on with Valencia. Boss was right when she initially thought the people coming after Valencia and I in the vans were going after her. I guess it’s a good way to remember to always trust your gut.
It sort of blows my mind in a way that after Valencia came clean with me that our relationship is blossoming into something I never even knew it could be. Sure, before, we had an intense connection, but now that everything is out and in the open, it only seems to be getting better. For fuck’s sake, the other day, I officially called her my ol’ lady. I know it was shocking to her, but I couldn’t ever see anyone else by my side the way she was. Valencia is a ride-or-die woman. In fact, she’s my ride-or-die woman.
Valencia’s just finished cooking for the club, and I helped her put everything in the fridge. Now she’s on barmaid duty. I’m sitting on the other side of the bar while she tends to my brothers and sisters. “You sure you don’t want a beer yet?” Valencia asks me as she’s tying her bright red hair up in a ponytail.
“Yeah, I’m good for now, baby girl. I’ll let you know when I’m ready for something,” I reply.
Valencia grabs the disinfectant rag from under the bar and wipes it across the bar top, then dips it in the solution again and proceeds to wipe down the area behind the bar.
“Reno, we have visitors. They say they’re Valencia’s father and her boyfriend. All hands on deck,” Venom calls in through the doorway that leads into the garage. I immediately rise to my feet and look at Maddox, who’s in the back of the bar.
“Go get Boss, now.” I might still be a prospect too, but at least I have some seniority over Maddox.
He nods and heads up the stairwell that leads to the second floor. I take one look at Valencia and clear my throat. “Go upstairs to my room, and don’t come out until I come to get you.”
“Okay.” Valencia nods and heads for the stairwell. Once I see that she’s on her way upstairs, I head for the garage doorway, backing up my brothers and sisters. The second I’m through the door, I immediately see men in black suits. I narrow my eyes at them and look around the rest of the garage. A lot of the club members are here, and in tow behind me comes Boss.
“What the hell is going on here?” she questions, immediately looking at the two men in suits, with their group of men surrounding them.
