Untitled Book 2(31)

 

I love how he says it like it’s already a sure thing, when they haven’t even voted yet.

 

“I’ll destroy any of these fuckers who step into my path. None of them are innocent,” I say, my hands clenching into fists at the thought of them with their corrupt hands on Shay.

 

“Anyone else ever hear Vinnie be so cold?” Tracker asks the room, as always lightening the tense mood.

 

I didn’t think I was being cold, I was being realistic. And any of the men in this room would do the same to protect their women, or each other’s women. I’ve seen it time and time again.

 

Shay just came into my life. I don’t know where it will lead, if anywhere, but I know that my gut is telling me to protect her, that she’s mine.

 

And I always go with my gut instinct.

 

She’s worth taking a chance on.

 

I don’t give a fuck how whipped that makes me sound, and I know that most of the men at this table right now, powerful men you don’t want to fuck with, know exactly how I’m feeling. When you find something good, you fight to keep it. Even if it means fighting dirty. You look after it. You cherish it. And you don’t let anyone fuck with it. Could Shay do better than me? Probably. Will she get the chance to find out? Fuck no. She became mine the second I decided to bring her into my clubhouse.

 

“All right, men. Yes or no to keeping Vinnie’s woman under our roof, protecting her like she’s our own?”

 

I glance at each man as they vote.

 

When it’s Sin’s turn, he says, “I just want to say that I’m voting yes because at one time or another, Vinnie, you’ve always been there to look after the women. You’ve saved Faye’s ass more times than I can count, and now I’ll be here to save Shay’s.”

 

“Thank you,” I tell him.

 

The voting continues.

 

And it’s unanimous.

 

Shay is staying.

 

“We good?” Sin asks the table.

 

Everyone nods.

 

“Shay is staying here, and under our protection. Vinnie, let us know what you need us to do.”

 

I leave the room feeling like a weight has been lifted.

 

* * *

 

Shay is fast asleep in my bed, snuggled under the covers, when I return to my room. I decide to join her, undressing and sliding under the sheets, spooning her from behind. I release a deep breath, thinking about how nice it is to be able to relax, to hold her like this and know that for now, we’re safe. I close my eyes and soon fall asleep with her scent in my nose.

 

* * *

 

“This is the cutest shit I’ve ever seen,” I hear Faye’s voice whisper. “Seriously, Anna, how adorable are they?”

 

“Are you just going to stand here and watch them sleep? That’s pretty creepy,” Anna whispers, making me open my eyes and glare at the two of them. “And I think Vinnie’s naked. I don’t want to see his bits.”

 

“His bits? You’re best friends with a romance author and that’s what you come up with?” Faye snickers.

 

“It’s Vinnie,” Anna says matter-of-factly, “to me, he doesn’t have a cock, or a dick. He has bits.”

 

Faye starts laughing so hard Shay stirs, and the last thing she needs is to wake up with these two in her face.

 

“Can the both of you please get the fuck out?” I ask quietly, but loud enough so the two of them can hear.

 

Instead of listening, they both come closer, lean down, and kiss me on my cheek.

 

“Welcome home,” Faye says, while Anna just smiles down at me.

 

You can’t even be angry at the two of them.

 

“Good to be back.”

 

“There’s food for both of you in the kitchen,” Anna says, then grabs Faye’s arm and pulls her to the door.

 

“Food?” Shay says, lifting her head, her hair all messy and cute.

 

Faye and Anna stop.

 

“They were just about to leave,” I tell Shay, burrowing back under the sheets. I then lift my head, realizing I was being rude. “Shay, this is Faye and Anna.”

 

“Nice to meet you both,” Shay says, sitting up and smiling at the women.

 

“You too,” Faye says, beckoning. “Come and eat with us. There’s pizza in the kitchen, along with garlic bread and a whole lot of desserts. Oh, and there’s some katsu chicken sushi too.”

 

“A woman after my own heart,” Anna comments, opening the door. “I’ll be in the kitchen.”

 

Shay turns her head and looks at me. “You got me all that food?”

 

“I didn’t know what you felt like,” I say, nuzzling her thigh. “Plus nothing will go to waste here.”