“Gator, honey, do you want cheese on this?”
My question distracted him enough to get his focus off of Dash, and he sauntered into the kitchen and sat at the island. “Whatya thinkin’?”
“I’m making a chicken, bacon, and cheese pasta casserole, but would you prefer cheddar or mozzarella on the top?”
“How about both?”
I smiled. “I can do that.”
“I’m gonna take a walk. Be back in a bit,” he said, and left the house.
After cheesing the casserole, I made my way to the sofa and sat beside Dash who dragged a hand over his face. “He’s pretty pissed, huh?”
I nodded. “But I don’t think you’re fully understanding why he’s so upset.”
“Yeah?”
“He was worried, honey. He loves you like a son, and me like a daughter, and regardless of the fact we have no blood ties, we’re his family. He’s already gone through the biggest loss a person can endure, so you nearly getting killed was probably a trigger.” I laid my hand on his thigh. “He didn’t really care about backup... at least, I don’t think he did. He trusts you, but if you’d let him in on the plan, he would have at least felt a little needed. You know what I mean?”
“Yeah, baby, I know what you mean.” Dash sighed. “Why the hell do I feel like I just disappointed my dad?”
“Because you kind of did.” I leaned over and kissed him. “But he’ll get over it... once you apologize.”
“You’re makin’ me soft.”
I smiled. “That’s not what you said last night.”
“So very true.” Dash chuckled. “Love you, baby.”
“I love you, too. Now, do you want some painkillers? You’re due.”
He nodded. “Yeah, that’d be good.”
Gator walked back in just as Dash took his pill, so Dash ushered him outside so they could ‘talk.’ I gave them their space and finished up dinner, greatly relieved when my men walked back in and the smile was back on Gator’s face.
“The casserole’s in the oven,” I said. “So, do you want chocolate cake or chocolate chip cookies for dessert?”
“Both,” Dash and Gator said, simultaneously.
I chuckled. “Alrighty, then, you’re going to have to help.”
Gator didn’t hesitate, walking to the sink to wash his hands while Dash pulled me in for another kiss. “You’re a genius, you know that, right?”
I grinned. “Sure do.”
* * *
As I brushed my teeth and got ready for bed, Dash filled me in on the day’s events and I forced myself not to panic as he gave me a detailed blow-by-blow.
“Lisa’s sure the charges will stick?”
“Well, she’s a cop, not a DA, but she says the arrest was solid, so she’s confident. The guy was speeding through town shooting a .38 pistol after all. Besides, the main goal here is to make him sweat as much as possible so he’ll give us information on Torrance.”
Dash sat against the headboard of the bed, shirtless and delicious, and it took everything I had not to jump on him.
“Let me check your bandage,” I said, sitting beside him, and reaching for the wrap.
“Feel like getting out of here for a few days?”
I wiped the blood gently from his arm, placed a fresh square of gauze over the wound, then wrapped it back up. “Are you worried?”
“Just want to get you out of here ’til the heat dies down. We could take a road trip to Brooke’s, make a weekend of it.”
“I don’t have anything on my plate until Wednesday, so I think that sounds fun.”
“Bike’s shot to hell, so we’ll have to take your car...”
I grimaced. “There’s no way I’d want to take your bike, anyway, honey. I like to listen to music and sleep on long road trips, so being on the back of your Harley would not work for me. I’ll let you drive, though.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah.” I grinned. He hated being locked in a “cage.” Wasn’t a fan of driving, period, so I typically drove when we had to take my car for anything.
“Well, thanks, baby. You’re so selfless... and giving... and shit.”
“Call it penance for putting yourself in a dangerous situation and getting shot.”
He sighed. “Willow.”
“What were you thinking?” I snapped. “You could have been killed!”
All of my pent-up fears and frustrations came pouring out as I finally let the day’s events register in my heart and mind. Dash pulled me onto his lap and stroked my back as I raged against him.
“What if you were killed, Dash? What if I lost you, too?” I sobbed. “I couldn’t bear it. You’re a jerk for almost taking yourself away from me.”
“I know, baby. I’m sorry.”
“See? I don’t actually believe you are sorry. You can only be sorry if you regret what you did and never intend on doing it again, and I just don’t think you do. I think you feel absolutely justified in your actions.”
“You’re right, Willow, I do.”
“Exactly. Which means, it doesn’t really matter what my thoughts and feelings are on the subject, because the end justifies the means.”
He sighed. “I hear you.”
“Do you hear me, Dash?” I ground out. “Do you? Because if you ever do this again, I’ll be done.”
He shook his head. “Huh-uh, we’re not playin’ that game.”
“This isn’t a game!” I pushed off his lap and waved my hands in the air in frustration. “You were almost killed, Dash. Dead... forever. Gone. I can’t do this if every time you walk out that door, I won’t be sure you’re coming back to me.”
“Baby, I could walk out that door and get hit by a bus, nothing in this life is guaranteed.”
“But you don’t need to walk out the door and step directly in front of it! It’s almost like you don’t care... like you have a death wish and the rest of us who love you be damned.”
“Goddammit, Willow, that’s not fair.”
“It’s not fair that you put yourself in the path of a bullet, but I’m supposed to stand here like the dutiful girlfriend and accept it? No. I won’t do it.” I left him on the bed, rushing downstairs and out onto the deck. I needed the fresh air... desperate for the feeling of being drowned to go away.
I hadn’t been outside for long when Dash joined me, leaning against the railing with his arms crossed, watching me.
“What?” I asked.
“I’m an ass.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
He sighed, reaching a hand out to me. I hesitated for a brief second before walking into his arms. “I’m sorry, baby.”
I nodded against his chest. “And?”
“And I won’t do it again. I promise.”
“Because...”
He lifted my head and smiled. “Because now I have more to lose, and the thought of you sad makes me crazy.”
“Next time you’ll leave this kind of thing to the police, right?”
“Yeah, baby, I’ll leave it all to the cops next time.”
I sagged against him. “Are you just saying that because I’m upset, or do you really understand where I’m coming from?”
“I get it.” He kissed the top of my head. “Fuck, baby, I didn’t think, you’re right. I’m not used to people givin’ a shit, but you and Gator kinda shone some light on that today. The last thing I want you to do is worry about me... especially, if it’s because I’m doin’ somethin’ reckless.”
I leaned back to meet his eyes. “So, you admit it was reckless, then.”
“Yeah, baby, I admit it. Keep beatin’ the fuckin’ dead horse, though, and I might get a little pissed.”
I frowned. “I’m gonna let that snarky comment go, because I like that you’re hearing me and I’m relieved you’re not dead. But for future reference, telling me not to beat a dead horse, when that horse is you being a jerk, won’t go well for you.”
He grinned. “I’m glad I’m not dead, too, b
aby. And I’ll keep your warning in mind, but right now, you’re fuckin’ sexy as hell all bossy and shit, and I kinda want to fuck you senseless.”
“Dash,” I admonished. “You were just shot this morning.”
“Not in the dick.”
“This is true, but I don’t want you pulling those stitches.”
He kissed me gently. “You let me worry about pullin’ the stitches, yeah? You just need to decide whether you want be fucked over the sofa or in bed.”
“What about both?” I rasped.
“Correct answer.”
He guided me back inside, locked up again and proceeded to ‘fuck me senseless.’
Willow
Dash guided the car into the driveway of a large, newer brick home in Atlanta. As we’d driven through the neighborhood, we’d passed a large community pool, tennis and basketball courts, and I was impressed with how neat and tidy everyone’s lawns were. It was the quintessential American neighborhood and I loved it.
Before we could get out of the car, a beautiful woman rushed out the front door and let out a loud, “Squee! You’re here!”
Dash chuckled, climbing out of the car and catching her as she threw herself into his arms. I felt a little like I was crashing their emotional reunion, so I popped the trunk and reached in to grab one of the bags.
“Baby, what the hell are you doin’?” Dash said, pulling my hand away from the duffel and tugging me toward his aunt. “I’ll get those. Come and meet Brooke.”
I took a deep (silent) breath and followed him out from behind the car. Brooke grinned, wrapping her arms around me and hugging me tight.
“Ohmigod, girl, you are stunning.” She leaned away, cupping my face. “When Finn said he was bringing home a girl to meet me... the first one, ever, I might add... I had no idea she’d be as gorgeous as you.”
Brooke had deep blue eyes, and looked more like Dash than I expected... she really could be his mom... which made me even more curious to know about his family.
“Hey, now,” Dash piped in.
“What?” she challenged, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “You need to learn something, baby boy. When your kid tells you he’s joinin’ a motorcycle club and your favorite show is Sons of Anarchy, you get a little nervous about what said kid has gotten himself into. I was expecting a biker ho, but you brought me an angel, I’m not complaining.”
“Not one—”
“Percenters, yeah, I know, kid,” she retorted. “Doesn’t mean I’m not gonna worry.” I smiled, immediately at ease, and let her lead me into the house. “Tony’s keeping the boys occupied so you’re not bombarded with nosy questions.”
“I don’t mind,” I said. “I love kids.”
The second those words left my lips, two dark-headed boys came running toward us as though they’d just escaped some form of prison.
“Where’s Finn?” the eldest demanded.
I knew Jase was ten and Evan was seven, but outside of that, I didn’t know a whole bunch about Dash’s cousins. Looking at them now, however, I knew they’d grow up to be total heartbreakers.
Brooke tussled his hair and said, “He’s coming, Jase, but how about you meet Willow first? I did teach you manners, right?”
He grinned, sticking his hand out to me. “I’m Jase Allen, it’s nice to meet you, Willow.”
I shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, too.”
“And I’m Evan,” the little one said, mimicking his brother.
“It’s lovely to meet both of you.”
“Dudes! Where are my helpers?” Dash bellowed. “I can’t carry all this crap by myself, I need some brothers to help me.”
The boys didn’t hesitate to run to assist and I didn’t miss the fact he censored his potty mouth... apparently, Dash was teachable.
A tall man, probably early fifties (I had to guess because Dash knew nothing about birthdays and ages outside of his aunt’s), walked toward us and smiled. He was also completely bald, so it was always hard for me to gauge someone’s age without hair.
“Hey. I’m Tony.”
I grinned, shaking his hand. “Willow.”
“Just leave the bags, Finn,” Tony said. “Come eat. I’m grillin’.”
Dash dropped our luggage with a huge grin and nodded. “Did you use your marinade?”
“Did I use my marinade?” Tony scoffed. “Of course I used my marinade, I’m not an animal.”
Dash scooped Evan onto his shoulders and asked, “Who wants Dad’s steaks?”
“Me!” Evan bellowed, waving his hands in the air.
Jase grinned and walked backwards, while he peppered Dash with a million questions. “Can we throw the football around?”
“Yeah, buddy, of course.”
“Can we play Call of Duty later?”
“That’s up to Mom. But I’ll put in a good word.” Dash kept Evan secure as he followed Jase out to the back, winking at me as he passed.
Brooke looped her arm in mine and gave me a gentle squeeze. “God damn, I love that boy.”
I sighed. “Me too.”
“I can tell.” She smiled through watery eyes. “I’m really glad you’re here, honey. It was him and I against the world for the longest time before Tony, and if we hadn’t had to move here for his job, I would have insisted we stay wherever Finn was. I begged him to come with us, but he wouldn’t have any of it.”
“That’s because he’s his own man. Obviously because you raised him to be.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s true.”
“You raised a really great man, Brooke. He’s humble and he knows how to make me feel loved and cherished. He’s almost perfect, if you ask me, and that’s because of you. He might not say it enough, but he loves you to pieces, and he misses you terribly... and his brothers. He never takes for granted the sacrifices you made for him and neither will I. Thank you for him. I praise God everyday he came into my life, and I’ll make sure we visit more often.”
Brooke burst into tears and pulled me in for a long hug. “Holy, shit, girl, I really didn’t want to cry so soon in our visit.”
I chuckled through watery tears of my own. “Well, I think it’s important we tell each other how much we mean to one another, but I have a feeling Dash hasn’t always done that with you, but he tells me how he feels about you, so I’m relaying the message.”
“Mom? You okay?” Dash asked, walking back in the door.
“I’m good, honey,” she said, but cried even harder as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.
This was the first time I’d heard him call her ‘Mom.’ He usually referred to her as his aunt or Brooke, and I never questioned it, since it was technically true. But standing before us now was a young man worried about the woman who’d mothered him when he didn’t have one, and I found myself wiping away tears that streamed down my face.
“Holy shit, what the fuck happened?” he asked, reaching out for me.
We ended up in a three-way hug, with me and Brooke crying all over his shirt.
“Language, Finn,” she warned, and he laughed.
“Hey Pot, I’m Kettle.”
She giggled, squeezing him tight. “I love you.”
“Love you, too,” he said.
“I’m going to wash my face real quick and then we’ll get our eat on.”
She walked away and Dash met my eyes. “What happened?”
“I just told her what an amazing man she’d raised and how much I appreciated her.”
He chuckled, kissing me gently. “I love you, baby.”
“Love you more.”
He held me for a few precious moments so that I could ‘cry it out,’ then he kissed me again and we headed outside to where the boys were tossing a football around. Dash joined his brothers when Brooke returned with a bottle of wine and some glasses.
We stayed outside until the moon had almost completely risen, and as I sat curled up in an overstuffed chair with Dash, a sense of peace I’d never felt before washed over me. He was m
y center, he was my calm, and in so many ways, he’d saved me.
The biker and the preacher’s daughter... two people destined to never cross paths... but two people who needed each other, and fit better than fate or God or whatever could have designed.
I kissed him gently and then snuggled closer as he joked around with his family. This was exactly where I was supposed to be.
Willow
Two years later...
Well, I was officially a teacher. Today was my first day at my new career and I was nervous. Dash had cleared his schedule so he could drive me, but he was dilly-dallying with coffee or something... I didn’t know because I was blinded by panic as I rushed downstairs looking for my jacket.
“Babe!”
“What?” I called out as I opened the closet.
“If you’re looking for your jacket, it’s in here... where you left it last night... so you wouldn’t be late.”
I wrinkled my nose in frustration. “Oh, right.”
I headed into the kitchen and Dash chuckled. “Baby, you’ve got an hour before you even have to be there.”
“No,” I countered. “I have an hour before class starts... I need to be there in twenty-seven minutes.”
He wrapped his arms around me and held me tight.
“Dash, I need to go.”
He kissed my nose. “Actually, you need to chill for a second.”
I huffed, leaning against him.
“Have I told you how cute you are when you’re in a panic?” he asked.
“No, because it’s not true. Didn’t count on this when you put a ring on it, huh?”
He laughed. “I sure as fuck did. I bought the cow and everything that came along with her... especially those glorious udders.” He cupped my breasts and squeezed gently.
We’d been married for about eighteen months now, and we loved every second of it. We’d had a little hiccup at the beginning when Dash slipped a prenup in front of me and forced me to sign. He wanted nothing to do with my money, and had Levi draw up the documents making sure my inheritance was protected should we divorce.
My whole argument had been that there would never be a divorce, just his dead body Jasmine and Parker would have to help me hide, so a prenup was unnecessary. In the end, I did sign it, but only because he refused to marry me if I didn’t. I figured he couldn’t stop me from spending the money on him if I so chose, so it was really a moot point.
Saving the Preacher's Daughter (Dogs of Fire: Savannah Chapter #1) Page 17
