I poured every ounce of pain and heartache into the kiss and savored how her breathing hitched at the possessiveness. I savored the taste of her as she parted her lip, allowing me entry. I savored the dance of our tongues as we fought for dominance. And I savored the sigh that escaped her as I trailed tender kisses across her jaw and down her neck, stopping at the area where her neck and shoulder met, the area I knew was her sweet spot.
I nipped at the soft, tender skin before kissing back up her neck and jaw and capturing her lips with mine once more.
I pulled back and laid my forehead against hers, Fuck Lea, do you know what you do to me ?
Lea let a quiet giggle escape and nodded, I have an idea.
I searched her face, memorizing every small detail, searing it into my brain as I sat her back down on the floor. I cupped her chin, turning her head carefully from one side to the other as I looked her over. I spotted a light scar on the left side of her face and ran my thumb over it. It hadn’t been there before she left with Victoria.
Emilio walked over and handed her a pair of crutches and I raised a brow.
She’s not suppose to be on that leg for another couple of weeks.
I shook my head and lifted Lea bridle style, holding her injured leg next to my body. I smiled down at her as she squealed and started to protest.
Put me down right this instance, you overbearing brute.
No. I’m never letting you go again. I turned and took in the confused faces of the members and guest that had gathered around us.
Lea glanced around the room and squealed as her eyes landed on Miller. You’re alive too ?
Miller grinned and looked over Lea with nothing but fondness in his eyes, It would appear so.
A bit of the tension in the room melted away as the two carried on.
Oh my God, we should start a resurrection club. You and I could be the founding members.
Miller walked over and placed a small kiss on Lea’s cheek, That we could.
As I let out a small growl of annoyance at Miller’s actions, he put his hands in the air and backed up, a crooked smile on his face.
Come on. Let’s go. I muttered quietly.
Lea rolled her eyes and threw one hand in the air as she scanned the room once more, God, what in the hell is everyone staring at now ?
A few members chuckled as murmurs of Same old Lea could be heard around the room. However, all jokes stopped as Jenny spoke up through quivering lips,. You Lea. You, you were suppose to be dead.
It was Lea’s turn to smirk and let out a small, sarcastic chuckle. Oh, that. Yea, well, funny story there. She turned and nodded toward Emilio and Ben. But those two might want to high tail it out of here before I tell it.
I turned and glared at the two men as they started to back out of the club, my voice deadly calm as I spoke my promise, Leave and I will have every bone in your bodies broken.
Emilio and Ben visible gulped as I clutched Lea tighter and I made my way out of the gathered crowd. We headed back toward the VIP section of the club and I could feel the tension rolling off the two men as they walked quietly behind me.
As much as I wanted to just take Lea home and hold her close to me all night long, these three had some serious explaining to do. And I wasn’t the only ones they owed an explanation to. Everyone upstairs had felt the effects of Lea’s absence and they deserved to know exactly what had happened just as much as I did.
Lea reached up and laid her palm against my cheek, her thumb caressing my tensed jaw as I climbed the stairs.
Hey, her voice was soft and timid as she spoke. Don’t be mad at them.
I looked down at the woman in my arms, my eyes burning into hers. I’ll be mad whoever the fuck I want to. I, I looked around to our guards, correcting myself as I continued, we were led to believe you were dead Lea.
Lea held my gaze, They were only trying to protect me.
By lying to me ? To us ? I hissed. I wasn’t angry at Lea, but I didn’t know how to reign in the emotions that were swirling through me. Do you know the hell I have been in thinking you were gone Lea ? Thinking that I would never get to see or touch you again ? Knowing that it was all my fault that you…
I couldn’t finish the sentence.
Lea reached up and brushed under my eyes, her voice gentle as she spoke, I can only imagine. But they were giving me a chance to make my own decision, to allow my future to be my choice.
I looked down at Lea, confusion taking over my face.
Lea sighed and continued to caress my cheek as we pushed through the doors to the VIP room. As we stepped into the room, we were immediately surrounded by members of the house as a collective Lea ? filled the room.
Lea rolled her eyes and threw her hand up in a small wave, Um. Hi.
I held Lea closer to my chest as I fought to make our way to our table. More than once Lea winced as she was jolted against me.
Are you alright ? I asked as she drew in a quick breath.
Still a little sore. You know, from being shot twice and the motorcycle wreck and all.
I froze in place, ignoring the members around us. You were shot twice ?
Lea twisted her lips and buried her head in my shoulder, Shit, I wasn’t suppose to tell you that.
I looked over the gathered associates, my anger at being lied to and Lea being injured beginning to show through the disbelief of her being alive.
MOVE. NOW. I let the emotions boil up and spill out as they took over my command.
Members started to scatter and a path to our table cleared. I edged my way to the back of the room and waited as Darrell pulled the table back far enough from my chair so that I could sit with Lea in my arms.
She looked at me questioningly, You weren’t lying about not letting me go, were you ?
I shook my head as I took my seat, I made the mistake of letting you go once Lea. I’ll be damned if I make the same mistake a second time.
Lea’s P. O. V.
Carter held me in his lap the rest of the evening, refusing to let me go while I answered question after question about what happened with Victoria and Miguel, why Emilio shot Miller, and what happened to Xian. More than once, tempers flared, punches were thrown, and I had to threaten the men that would now forever be in my life with leaving again if they didn’t behave themselves, which of course, only caused Carter to tighten his hold on me and his eyes to darken to the point they were nearly black.
After a while the commotion settled down and I nestled into Carter’s embrace, reveling in the warmth and comfort that being in his arms brought. How I couldn’t see how much this man truly felt about me, despite everything, was beyond me. As he unconsciously ran his hands over my arms and up and down my back, I felt myself truly relax for the first time since leaving with Victoria and I slowly began to drift off to sleep.
Lea, the breath from Carter’s soft voice calling my name tickled my ear. Come on sleepy head, let’s get you back to the house.
Mm, I tightened my hold around Carter and buried my head farther into his neck as he stood with me in his arms.
Boss, Darrell and Miller can take your car back and I’ll drive you and Lea in the Navigator, Lynx’s quiet voice sounded nearby.