... and Forever (Next Generation: Chaos Bleeds 1)

“I know you’ve been through hell. I put you through that, but I’m here to fight for you, for us. I’m going to make this work.”

She swiped at the tear that fell. “What if there is no us to fix?”

“There is. Didn’t you feel it last night?” he asked.

“That was just attraction. Lust.”

“No, I’m not talking about the se … foreplay. I’m talking about holding you in my arms. Feeling you against me. You, in my arms, it’s where you’re supposed to be. You know that. Just give me time. It’s all I’m asking for. Time.”

****

Lexie looked up from washing the dishes as Devil came in.

“The kids are doing homework. Nathan’s asleep. He misses his mommy but hopes she’s feeling better,” she said.

Devil nodded and moved toward her side. He put a hand on her waist, kissing her neck.

“How is he?” she asked. She’d promised herself she wouldn’t beg to know any more than he was willing to give.

Simon may not have been her flesh and blood son, but she’d raised him. He was hers in every single way that counted and no one could take that away from her. She’d been with him through sickness and even now, when he’d ran.

“He’s fucking tall. Big. He’s twice the size that he was.”

“So he’s a little more like you?”

“Probably.” Devil wrapped his arms around her. She heard him inhale and she chuckled. “You always smell so good.”

“And you have an insatiable appetite.” She put her hands on his, loving these moments. They were most precious to her. “How is Tabitha?”

“I didn’t see her but I know he’s taking care of her in his own way.”

“Do we need to worry?”

“Not yet. I think we will soon.” He sighed.

“What is it?”

“She’s keeping him on his toes. He looks so fucking tired. I hope he realizes what he’s taking on.”

“Did he ask about Nathan?”

“Yep. Of course, he did.”

“Do you know what’s going to happen there?” she asked.

“He’ll be a damn good father.”

Lexie agreed. “Did he ask about … you know?”

“He did, I told him I didn’t know.”

“You lied to him.”

“It’s not for me to tell him.” Devil pressed his face against her neck. “He’s going to be trouble, though. His thirst for blood is still there. At this time, I think he’d go to war with The Skulls to get the heads of all the Monster Dogs.”

“Do you blame him?” She didn’t want her son going on a killing spree. The last one had cost him five years. More would only take the time he had.

“I don’t blame him, but he needs to understand he can’t go after the whole club. That kind of war will destroy clubs, this one included, and I’m not going to let him implode on himself. A time will come when he needs to sit down with them. They are all going to need to come to some arrangement. I’m not going to hand Simon over and I won’t start a war.”

She cupped his face. “Do you think you can make this work?”

“Yeah, I do. If I didn’t think it couldn’t work, I wouldn’t have agreed to such an arrangement. I’m not a pussy, Lexie.”

She laughed. “I didn’t say you were. Your mind is going a thousand miles a minute at times. I don’t know how I can keep up with you.”

“You want to know how I know there’s a chance here to avoid war?”

“Yes.”

He smiled. “Tune in tomorrow.”

She swatted at him. “Don’t do that. Tell me.”

“The president will not be on the throne forever. The kid, Luke, Ryan’s friend. He’s going to take that place. Lash has told me he’s a good kid. Hard, got the skills to be a good leader.”

“How does that help?”

“Luke was there the night Simon shot Ryan in the face. He’s also the kid who happens to have a big crush on Tabitha. I have a feeling we can make this work.”

Lexie frowned. “You’re going to use Tabitha?”

“In time, when she doesn’t want to kill Simon, she’ll convince Luke to abandon the agreement and start afresh. She’s got what it takes. You’ve seen the way she’s been. She’s a fighter and I’ve got a feeling she will be one hell of a lioness for her family and for her club.”Chapter TenTime!

Always the same.

The tick-tocking of a goddamn clock.

She hated it.

Tabitha stared out the window to where Simon was training with Dean. The other guy hadn’t been invited into the house, but she was getting bored of being locked up. She couldn’t remember how many days she’d been here, but not being out in the fresh air was starting to piss her off.

Slamming her hand against the window, she caught their attention.

Simon looked at her and returned to Dean.

“I swear, Simon, if you don’t let me out, I will smash this window and then you won’t have another choice but to let me out.” She glanced behind her, seeing the lampshade. She didn’t know if it would be strong enough to smash the window, but she was willing to give it a try.