Hyde's Absolution (Sydney Storm MC 4)

Tatum made a weird noise and raised her brows. “Don’t believe her, Sav. I predict she’s going to be all over this guy soon.”

“We’re here!” Mum announced from the front door. She had a key to my place and let herself in.

Dad followed her into the kitchen. “You girls had dinner yet?”

I shook my head. “No, we’ve just been eating cheese and dips. You hungry?”

“How about I go and grab some pizzas?”

“Sounds good to me,” I said. “But before you go, I need the light changed in the hallway. It’s too high for me. Can you do it?”

“It can’t wait?”

“It’s so dark without the light. I’m concerned Mum might trip. Her eyesight is so bad these days.”

“Yeah, okay, good idea. I’ll grab your ladder from the garage.”

“I’ll be fine,” Mum said. She hated any fuss about her eyesight or anything to do with her getting older. My mother liked to pretend she was still forty. I couldn’t blame her; I figured I’d take after her in that respect.

“It’ll take me five minutes,” Dad said as he turned to head into the garage. I loved the way my dad adored my mother. He’d do anything for her.

“Okay,” Mum said, clapping her hands together while looking at Savannah, “tell me everything.”

We spent the next twenty minutes going over Savannah’s man, Tatum’s cake, and my sex. Dad left during the middle of our conversation. And then Mum shared some news with us.

“Your father and I are going to buy a caravan and travel around Australia. It probably won’t be happening for another six months, but we’re getting organised for it now.”

My eyes widened with happiness. “That’s awesome!” They’d been talking about seeing more of Australia, and I’d been encouraging the idea. I was a huge fan of parents spending their kids’ inheritance—I wanted my parents to enjoy their retirement.

“Best news!” Savannah said. “Make us some more drinks, Roe. This definitely calls for cheers.” She left us to put some music on, and a few moments later my home came alive with beats and laughter.

It was about ten minutes later that my phone rang. I didn’t recognise the number. Usually when someone called who I didn’t know, I let it go to voicemail, but the alcohol buzzing in my system caused me to be a little playful. “I’m only interested if you’re tall, hot and know how to use what God blessed you with.”

Silence for a beat. And then a deep voice rumbled down the line. “And let me guess, if I like meat, that’s a bonus.”

Hyde.

I threw the last of my drink down my throat. “Always a bonus, tiger.” I squeezed my legs together. This was the call he’d promised me, and I still hadn’t decided what I was going to do. I needed to fob him off to give myself some more time. But damn if just the sound of his voice wasn’t sending my core into a state of need.

“How about you open your front door and let me in?”

Fuck.

He was here.

Fark.

“I’m kinda in the middle of family stuff.” Jesus, worst excuse ever. But fuck, I could hardly think straight.

“I can hear. Sounds like a party. Open the door, Monroe. I’ll make it worth your while.”

Oh. Good. Fucking. God.

Hyde making promises like that was dangerous. And that bossy tone of his that usually pissed me off? It wasn’t pissing me off this time.

“Who is it?” Tatum asked, but she knew. She could tell from my reaction who it was.

I moved the phone away from my mouth a little so I could answer her. “Hyde.”