“It’s why I’d like for you to be part of Mila’s life. I want her to learn the traits I see in you. I didn’t slip that ring on your finger just to win in court. I want Mila to win in life too.”
My heart squeezes painfully. That sounds like an awfully big commitment for both of us. Can two strangers really come together solely for the good of one little girl? I would have to say yes, because it’s the only way I know how to counteract the level of evil the world is currently experiencing.
“I’m not perfect.”
“I won’t ask you to be.”
I bite my lip, crossing my arms over my chest. “And I want to make my own money.”
“Fine with me,” he says, taking my arm and leading me toward his truck. “Any other stipulations?”
My heart is starting to catch up to my logical brain. It’s just realized I’ve agreed to marry a man, and it’s protesting wildly against my ribs.
“I can’t think of anything at the moment, but give me a second.”
He opens the truck door and ushers me inside. “I have one. I think it’s important that we act as naturally as possible. We have to do everything we can to protect Mila.”
“I agree.”
“Good because it means we have to get to know each other a whole lot better.”
He shuts the truck door, and my heart sticks a red flag in itself.
I have to trust it, don’t I? It’s never failed me before. It can spot chaos miles away. But my soul stirs, and it whispers to me that maybe there is a good kind of chaos.
Impossible.
Once on the road, Rage looks at me and then out the windshield again. “I know you have no reason to believe me, but I’m not going to take advantage of you, Serenity.”
My shoulders pull to my ears, and I release a slow breath. If we’re going to do this, we have to be honest with each other. “It’s just that I try really hard to keep my world simple and calm.”
“How has that been working out for you?”
I look away from him.
“Listen, things are going to be hard sometimes. Shit’s going to happen. Every day can’t be sunny, but you and I are both strong enough on our own to withstand the storm. Imagine what that would be like if we stand together.”
His poetic words make me chuckle, and my heart removes the red flag, placing a white one in its place.
“But what will I do about my brother’s debt to the Scorpions?”
He reaches over and takes my hand in his. “We’ll figure it out. How much is this fucking debt?”
With my hand firmly in his warm one, I feel safe enough to admit to him that I don’t know. “It was stupid of me not to find out. What I do know is that Savage said I could work it off over the course of a few years.”
His jaw works back and forth as we pull into his driveway.
“And what would that entail?” he asks.
“Let’s just say those pills you watched me swallow were the better option.”
His hand tightens around mine. He parks in the garage, shuts the engine off, and turns toward me.
“I’m sorry your brother got you involved with them.”
“They’re not messing around, Rage. They killed my boss. He was the kindest, most loving man I’d ever met. Being around him literally reset my nervous system, and they killed him. I don’t want them to hurt anyone else I love.”
His eyes widen in surprise at my admission.