Page 85 of Riding Hard

And I love that about him.

He breaks the kiss, resting his forehead against mine as we attempt to catch our breath.

“I planned a whole fuckin’ speech,” he grunts.

I shift my head back slightly so my gaze can search his. “I don’t need a speech. I have everything I could ever want right here in this room. You and Cade.”

“Forever,” he grinds out before his mouth slams against mine again.

I welcome the kiss.

I’m engaged.

Really engaged.

And to a man who loves me—a man who would burn the entire world down to protect me. Except he didn’t have to, because I was finally, for the first time ever, able to protect myself.

I wouldn’t have had the courage to do it without knowing he was waiting for me. Without knowing he wanted me, and it was a healthy want. So yes, I’ll marry him. He might seem scary to some, an outlaw biker, but to me, he’s the man who would walk through fire just to keep me safe.

I love him. I love Cade. And I love what we have. I want this forever. Saying yes is beyond easy. I’ve never said or done anything easier than saying yes to any question Slade has ever asked me.

This is no different.

CHAPTER

SIXTY-EIGHT

LOOT

I’m standing in front of what is, without a doubt, our second biggest job. But probably our biggest payout ever, because the biggest job we had didn’t pay a fucking dime. Not because the building itself is massive, but the client is.

It’s the attorney who can’t pay the Perov Bratva, or rather, couldn’t. After talking with Rustik and clearing it through him, he agreed to hold off on the collections until the gambling-addicted attorney could get his insurance payout.

Which is good for everyone involved, especially the attorney who doesn’t have to lose a limb or possibly his life, considering he doesn’t have the dough to pay out his debts. What a fucking shit show. I cannot believe he’s making that much money and is fucking broke.

Although his broke and mine are probably different.

His cash is probably all tied up in investments and real estate, shit like that. I know my own cash is tied up in my rental properties. I don’t have hundreds of thousands sitting in the bank. That’s for damn sure.

Meanwhile, what I consider broke is owning absolutely nothing and not being able to feed yourself. What I don’t understand is why he didn’t just get a couple of rich-as-fuck clients and sue someone.

Billable hours and all that shit.

But I didn’t offer him that suggestion or any other, because I’m a little selfish. I’ve got my own bills to pay and a new woman to take care of. I want to get paid. And I want a lot more than the flat fee we agreed to for collecting the Bratva’s debts.

The fire is hot. It crackles, and there are some loud crashing sounds as it builds and grows. It’s not only amazing, but it is also awe-inspiring. I’m pretty sure our entire club is full of pyros because we seriously all love fires. Watching them, creating them—it’s almost magical.

And then we get paid, which makes them even better.

“You said they were cool with all this?” Speed asks.

My lips slowly curve up into a grin. “Not only were they cool with it, but they were happy about the whole thing. I’m pretty sure it’s because they want our shit intertwined, and this does just that.”

“Do we want our shit intertwined?” he asks.

I shrug a shoulder. “I don’t know yet. They seem to be fair enough. They say what they want, and they aren’t asking anything ridiculous of us or trying to fuck us over. They’re open to suggestion and barter.”

“Still makes me nervous as fuck,” Speed says.