Her laughter surprised him. “Well, don’t let that happen. I like sex with you. Actually, I love it, but an exploded head might put a damper on our sex life.” Her fingers twisted so she could hold on to his hand. “Baby, let’s go downstairs. I want to show you something.”
“Got a couple more things to discuss, and they’re important.”
He had his phone in his hand and was texting Czar, sending him a thumbs-up. If their phones were ever checked, there was nothing to connect them to the crime that had been committed miles from where they lived. He sent out a call to Absinthe and Code. He needed them to come as soon as possible.
Ice wanted whatever papers were needed filed on Soleil’s behalf. The moment they did, no doubt Winston’s lawyer would insist on a well checkup and they would try to get a hearing in front of whichever judge owed them favors or was part of the con artist ring. They had to have someone on their payroll.
“We can talk downstairs,” she insisted and stood up.
He kept possession of her hand, even when she tried to pull away from him. Soleil only tried once, and then she sent him a quick grin, shaking her head. The stairs were wide enough for the two of them to walk down the sweeping staircase to the first floor together. She went through the dining room to the kitchen, and right on past the refrigerator to the door there. She opened it and stepped back. The pantry was fairly empty, just rice and potatoes as well as flour jumping out at him.
Soleil closed the door and went to the fridge. Inside, fresh vegetables were overflowing, along with a couple of cuts of meat, different types of berries and melons as well as other food items, all fresh. She closed that door and pointed to the counter where more fruit was in a bowl.
Leaning one hip against the center aisle, she looked at him. “What does that tell you, Ice?”
He knew his face had to look as blank as he felt.
“You aren’t paying attention. You think I have one foot out the door, that I’m not fully committed to you or to your family. I told you I didn’t cook. Where do you think the groceries came from, and how do you think I got them?”
He frowned. This was obviously a trick question, one women conjured up just to make men crazy. “Sorry, babe. Not following.”
“I’ve been taking cooking lessons from Alena. What did you think I was doing with her when you were doing whatever mysterious thing you do that I’m not supposed to know about?”
Like tracking down the pedophile ring in San Francisco. Or the ring of con artists. No, he wasn’t about to talk to her about that or what they planned to do to them all.
“I don’t know, princess. Talking? Women like talking together.”
She rolled her eyes. “And the meals that have been improving? Did you think they were just getting that way with luck?”
Definitely a trick question. “I didn’t really think about it.”
“I spent several hours at least three times a week on cooking lessons, honey. For you. For us. For our life together. I want to make a home for you. I’ve been doing that. Today scared me, but not for the reasons you think. I’m a processor. I needed time to run through everything that happened. When I do, I’m used to pacing. It helps. I’m really used to being alone when I do. You have to remember, you’re the only person in my life I’ve ever spent this much time with. The point I’m making is, I have no intentions of leaving you. You have to learn to trust in that, just as much as I have to learn to trust in you.”
The relief was tremendous. He rubbed his chest again, right over his heart. “I’m going to piss you off, baby. More than once or twice.”
“I’m well aware.”
She sounded so droll he couldn’t help but laugh. Love swamped him. He put his arms around her and pulled her tight against him, nuzzling her neck. “We’re going on a run. Have I explained what that is?”
She shook her head. “You haven’t exactly explained, but I’ve seen bikes riding together.”
“This one will be particularly large. Several clubs will be riding. It’s a charity drive the Diamondbacks put on every year. We’ll be riding behind them. You have to wear the jacket I give you with our colors. You never go anywhere without us. You stick close to me at all times. We’ll have fun, so don’t look alarmed, but you have to follow the rules I lay down.”
She nodded. “Of course, Ice.”
“You have to remember, our entire club will defend you. We’re very good at what we do. If we have to defend you against a Diamondback, that will bring their entire club down on us. That’s the way it works, even if their member is at fault. We’ll be running for the rest of our lives if that happens.”