Final Ride (Lords of Mayhem 4)

“Hawk said it was okay?” Juliette asked.

“Yep, and I’m jumping on it before he changes his mind,” she said as she stood. “Don’t worry. I’m taking Magic, so I won’t be completely alone. It’ll be interesting to explain him to my mother.”

“I almost want to be there for that,” Joey said.

“See you guys later on tonight?” Ariel said.

“Definitely. I’m sure they’re going to have a blow-out tonight to celebrate,” Juliette said.

“I’ll give you the play-by-play,” Ariel said.

Being removed from her family had been nice. It allowed her to get some perspective on everything. It was time to check on them and set new boundaries.

* * * * *

Hawk was feeling every one of his years when he entered Ariel’s townhouse with a spare key. They’d changed all the locks days ago before installing the new alarm. He walked inside, shut the door behind him and disarmed the alarm.

“You have a key and know the code?”

He turned to see Ariel standing in the hallway in a long, silken nightgown. Her arms were crossed beneath her breasts, drawing his attention to her pebbled nipples.

“There’s nothing that goes on with you I don’t know about.”

“I wish I could say the same,” she said. Her cold tone made him raise an eyebrow.

“You got something you want to say to me?” he asked.

“I have a lot to say.”

“Then speak on it, so we can get this over with. I’ve had a long ass day, and I’m on call until Tiny steps back in and reclaims his position.”

“I wish I knew everything that went on with me. Did you think I’d never find out you knew this entire time what was going to happen to Linden and Emmit? You were with me for the nightmares and the panic attacks, and you said nothing. Do you have any idea how reassuring it would’ve been to know that they had one foot in the grave?”

“It wasn’t something you needed to know. That’s club business. If things go sideways, the less you know, the better off you are.”

“Bullshit.”

Tired of her disrespect he strode forward. “Why?”

“Because it’s a way to keep me in the dark.”

“Did I take care of you?” he asked.

“What?”

“You heard me. Were you safe?”

“I…yes.”

“Then what are you bitching about? There are things I won’t tell you. It’s my job to decide what’s best for you. I know this world. I know how shit works. You’re a novice. You either trust me or you don’t.”

“This is not about trust,” she said.

“No, it’s about control. You got back into your old world and you forgot how this thing works between us. You’re trying to go back to what you knew, but that’s the past. You’re my woman now. You follow my lead when it comes to all things club related. You trust me to make the hard decisions and you don’t worry.”

“I can’t function that way.”

“You just did.” He moved directly in front of her, buried his fingers in her hair and pulled her head back. “Before you knew about this you were happy, weren’t you?”