“I know we need to talk, and I want you to know…” She swallowed, feeling so nervous. “I just want you to know that I won’t run from this, not like I did when I left you all those years ago.” She’d spit it all out, admitted to leaving him even though they both obviously knew she had. But saying those words out loud, and standing right in front of him as she did say them, somehow made it all very real.
He didn’t say anything for long seconds, but she saw the way he glanced down at her inner forearm. But this was Brendan, and that humiliation of what he was looking at didn’t slam into her like it did when others saw the scars. No, he’d seen her at her very worst, and she trusted him with her life, even now.
As the time ticked by, and his silence grew, she became even more nervous. She hated feeling this way, despite the fact they were in this awkward situation because of her and the past. Not even talking about the threat at hand, Bunny and Brendan had a history together, and she’d screwed it all up because she’d been too fucked in the head to understand a good thing when it was right in front of her.
But maybe this was her second chance? Maybe the danger she might be in, the situation that had her back in Tank’s life, was fate telling her she’d given up too easily? The past was the past, her father was dead, and she didn’t need to hold on to it anymore, right?
****
Fucking hell.
Tank leaned back on the bedroom door and closed his eyes. His hands were in tight fists at his side, his heart was beating hard and fast, and he knew what he felt for Bunny wasn’t just going to go away, wasn’t going to dim. He knew it wouldn’t have, though, and not just because she’d been all he thought about since she left. Seeing her just made what he felt for her even stronger, but he also knew she needed time. Shit wasn’t good right now, and not just because of Spike. When he looked in her eyes he still saw that vulnerable woman that he’d fallen in love with, that he’d kill for. He still saw the pain in her expression, and he hated that, was pissed that he couldn’t take it away from her.
With his eyes still shut the image of those cigarette burns on her inner forearms came through like someone ripping his heart out. Her fucking father had done that to her when she was younger, and Tank knew every time she looked at those circular scars she saw that motherfucker, lived through that pain again. But when they’d been together back in the day he’d seen that pain fade from her face, had seen the calmness move over her. It had been beautiful and wondrous. She’d made him feel alive, and he knew he’d given her a semblance of peace.
Pushing away from the door he walked down the hallway and stopped at one of the spare rooms. It used to be for one of the brothers to crash when they got too drunk, but Lila was using it as she and Faye stayed at the club. He knocked a few times, and when she opened the door he could see Faye on the bed, awake, her little arms above her head as she stretched out.
“Can I come in?”
“Of course,” Lila said and smiled, and although it was a genuine act, he could see the nervousness was still surrounding her. Tank hadn’t told his sister he’d gone after Bunny, and he wasn’t sure why. Maybe he didn’t want to get her hopes up that he’d find her, just in case something bad had gone down, but it had been easier than he’d thought, and now that both the women he loved more than anything were safe with the MC, he needed to let Lila know exactly what was going on and how things would work out.
He stepped inside and couldn’t help but smile as he looked at Faye.
“You want to hold her now?” Lila said with a laugh in her voice.
Looking at her, Tank found himself nodding despite the fact he was scared as hell. He walked over to the baby and sat on the edge of the bed, his hand starting to shake at the very thought of holding something so tiny and innocent in his hands. Lila picked up Faye and held her out to him. He took the baby, feeling tense, worried he’d drop her, that he’d fuck this up.
“You won’t drop her, Tank,” Lila said, smiling.
Had he said that shit out loud? Once he had the baby tucked in close to his chest, the sweet scent of powder rose up, having this relaxing effect on him. Faye had her eyes open, and her little mouth was in an O shape as she stared up at him. She had a little bit of dark hair, and he lifted the hand not cradling her head, and ran it over the silky soft strands. The hair felt like feathers beneath his fingers, and he smiled, knowing he’d protect this little girl until he drew his last breath.
No one better think of fucking with her.
“You look good holding her, Tank.”