Page 78 of Retribution
“You really think I’m such a dick that I’d make you pay for your own room? Everything’s on me. You stay here and relax, and I’ll pack our bags and pay the bill for this dump.”
Considering Cobra was wearing his “don’t argue” face, Dakota didn’t bother pointing out her second thought, which was an insult to injury. She wondered if he made enough to afford such a nice room in the first place and if he did, why the hell had they been slumming it in this joint for so long?
“I can read your mind, you know.” Cobra looked across the room from where he was stuffing his shit into a duffel bag. “I didn’t stay anywhere worth a damn because it didn’t matter to me. Having you in my life reminds me that there’s more to life than the rough times.”
A tingling heat spread across her chest and neck and she averted her gaze from him to the twisted sheets. Dakota was still trying to understand how everything that she’d ever wanted was now falling into her lap. At that moment, it seemed as if fate had finally cut her a break.
“Although, wherever we stay, wherever we go, you’re never going out unarmed again. I’m gonna teach you how to shoot a gun, and then I’m getting you one.”
“But—” Dakota sputtered then stopped when he held up his hand.
“At theveryleast, I’m getting you a fuckin’ knife that’s ten times bigger than the pocketknife you carry.”
“Yes, sir,” she said, slanting her hand against her forehead in a mock salute.
Cobra winked and pursed his lips, feigning a kiss in her direction. Dakota giggled. She’d never seen this playful side to him. In her joviality, she gathered her courage and cocked her head to the side. Ever since she’d found the business card from the gentlemen’s club with the note from a woman named Jenny, she’d wondered about it.
Dakota straightened the sheet at her waist then crumpled the edge of it into a wrinkled ball. “Tell me about Satin Dolls.” She fidgeted with the bed covers as she hung onto her surety that the man who’d saved her from that basement was the same man who wouldn’t cheat on her with another woman. “I found Jenny’s card and … I called the club.”
Cobra went stock still, and she saw the muscles in his jaw tense as he stared at her. Well … damn, that wasn’t a good reaction. Dakota held her breath, bracing herself for the worst.Whatever happens, it’s going to be okay. I’ll figure out my life even if it’s without him.But God, she hoped it wasn’t without him.
“She’s a friend.” Cobra’s voice broke through her thoughts. He rubbed his chin and sat on the edge of their bed. “I’ve known her for quite a while. We used to be more than that—I’d shack up with her and Abby—that’s her daughter, when I’d be in town. It wasn’t anything too serious, at least not on my part. But it’s been over a year now that we’ve just been friends.”
“Have you had sex with her since you all just became friends?” Dakota shook her head. “No, don’t answer that. I don’t have the right to ask you that.”
Cobra pressed his lips together. “Yeah, you do. We’ve slept together on and off during the past year, but I haven’t been with her in a few months.”
“So what was that card about?”
Cobra shrugged. “I’ve probably had it for a while. Jenny’s always giving me cards, reminding me to call her when I come through. Now, I help her out if I’m in town and if shit goes down in the club. And when she needs cash. She’s a single mother and things get tough. Abby’s dad’s a deadbeat and doesn’t pay anything.” He shrugged again. “I try to be there when she needs me.”
“Life can be so hard. I can’t imagine having to raise a kid all on your own. It’s nice of you to help her and her daughter out.”
His eyes bored into hers. “Don’t think for one fuckin’ minute that I fucked her while I was with you. There’s no damn way I would’ve done that. I don’t roll that way. Anyway, I wanted to be with you.”
“So you haven’t seen her since I’ve been staying with you?”
Dakota searched his serious face and his gaze never left hers. Cobra held out his hand.
“I’ve never lied to you, darlin’, and I’m not gonna start now. I went by the club to talk to her and tell her I’d help her out. Nothing happened, and nothing will ever happen. I told her about you—that I got a woman.”
She looked down at his open palm and blinked before she scanned his face looking for any trace of a lie or a gussied up half-truth. But there was nothing. Cobra had always been straight with her and to the point, and there was no reason to think he was lying now. Her mouth pressed tightly together as she stretched out her hand and clasped his.
“Thanks, darlin’.” His words were soft, and his whole body seemed to exhale the second she touched him.
That was when Dakota knew he was telling her the truth.
“You know you could’ve told me about her. I kinda felt ambushed and hurt.”
“I’m fuckin’ sorry for that, but I never meant to hurt you. There’s nothing going on with Jenny and me, so it didn’t occur to me to bring her up.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “Relationships aren’t really my thing. Haven’t been for a long ass time. I’d never intentionally hurt you.”
Dakota tried to ignore her pounding heart, her racing blood, the growing heat and tingling between her legs.
“So do you know other strippers who might come between us later on?” she quipped, pinching his hand so he knew she was screwing with him.
“No, I don’t.” He slightly smirked. “But if it happens again, feel free to cut me up after the weapons training I’m going to give you. Deal?”
“Deal.” A big smile spread across her face.
