Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

LONDON

I'd never been on the back of a motorcycle before. I hadn't even though it would be something I'd enjoy. But riding behind Diablo, pressing up against his back, arms around him, was exhilarating. I loved every minute of it.

Though I'll admit, not being able to see because of the pitch black of night was a bit freaky. Still, I knew Diablo wouldn't let anything happen to me. He'd make sure I stayed safe, no matter what happened.

Diablo took us out to the middle of nowhere. There was nothing around. Nothing I could see, at least. The only thing visible was the road, brightened by the light on the front of his bike.

After a while, Diablo turns off on to a much bumpier road. I've no choice but to hold on tighter to keep from bouncing off the back of his bike.

Moments later, we come to a stop, and Diablo taps my leg.

"Hop off, baby."

Whoa me, he hasn't called me baby before. Not that I can recount, at least. It's always been my name or Chiquita, which I don't get. Why call me that?

Bracing myself with my hands on either side of his shoulders, I do as he says. My legs feel wobbly, and Diablo grabs me around the waist as he swings a leg over.

"You like the ride?" he asks, holding me to him.

"It was fun." I nod and stare at my hands pressed to his chest.

He walks me to a darkened house, and I'm surprised by the size of it. It's beautiful, even in the dark, I can see the beauty of the farmhouse with a wraparound porch. The only thing missing is the white picket fencing, but who needs that when there's obviously nothing close?

"This is your place?" I ask him as he makes our way up the steps.

"Yeah," he answers, pulls his keys out of his pocket, and unlocks the front door. "Bought this place the first chance I got after the club took me in."

"You did?"

I blink at the sudden brightness when we step in, and he flicks a light switch.

"Wow," I whisper before he can even answer as I glance around the entryway.

The whole place was an open floor plan with structured beams positioned throughout the entire downstairs. To the side, you can see a set of stairs leading up to the second floor. On every wall, there were windows. I could only imagine how beautiful this place would be with the sunlight shining through them.

His kitchen had state-of-the-art appliances with black granite tops. There was a small dining table, and another section downstairs was the living area, where he had a large sectional that looked more than a little bit comfortable. I'm willing to bet it could swallow a person whole.

"Come on," Diablo tugs me toward his kitchen, "we'll get something to eat then, sleep."

Sleep?

What about . . .

Nope, I don't need to think about that. I don't need to think about how the very thought of it makes me tingle.

Right now, I want to know about what happened back at the clubhouse.

With his mom and the lawyer. Not the kiss we shared in his bed.

"Go ahead, sit," he says, motioning to the stools situated in front of the island. "You okay with a sandwich?"

"Sure," I murmur, taking a seat.

Diablo meets my gaze for a split second before digging what he needs out of the fridge.

"You know I could help," I suggest.

"I've got it."

Setting everything down on his side of the large island, he turns back to the fridge and pulls out a beer and a Sunkist.

Oh my God. How did he remember it's my favorite? More than just that it's my favorite, it's the smaller bottles that always taste so much better.

My heart thumps in my chest, and I have a hard time swallowing past the nerves suddenly threatening to choke me. Why is it this man has been in my life once again for less than twenty-four hours, and already, I'm falling for him?

Probably because I'd already fallen, it might have been a teen's crush. Maybe not. Either way, I knew I was falling for him, and it scared me. I don't understand any of this.

Diablo silently makes us sandwiches; he even cuts them in half rather than leaving them whole. Once both are made, he slides one in front of me while he quickly puts things away. After he finishes, he comes around the island, sits next to me, and digs into his sandwich.

"So, um," I finally whisper moments later.

"That was the bitch who gave birth to me and her lawyer. Don't know how the hell she can afford to have one, don't really care," he says, jumping right to it, not looking at me.

"She said she was dying." I watch the way his body tenses slightly before he relaxes.

Diablo sets his sandwich down on the paper plate, spins on the stool, and reaches out to twist me to face him, his legs encase either side of mine. "Teresa might be dying, it's what she said, but I don't care, I don't give a shit about her. Maybe once a long time ago, I might have, but I haven't thought twice about her since I was a kid. She neglected me, allowed my old man to beat me. Allowed him to beat on her."

"Oh no," I breathe, tears pricking at my senses, ready to fall, but I won't allow it. Diablo wouldn't want me to.

"Yeah," he growls. "So, you see, I'm not feeling happy vibes about seeing her. She can die for all I give a damn. I had to live on the streets for years. Live only to survive each day in a new hell because it was better than what I had at home. She could've gotten us out of it. She didn't. That's her choice. Mine is she's out of my life and staying that way."

"I don't blame you for your decision," I murmur, reaching out to stroke his cheek. "She was a bitch for what she did. For her to come to you because she was dying." I close my eyes and shake my head. "She doesn't deserve redemption or your forgiveness if that's what she was after."

"Highly doubt she was there for that," Diablo grumbles.

"Why do you say that?" I ask.

"Because her timing of a lawyer contacting me lines up with the death of my grandfather. He left everything to me, though the old bastard didn't know me, he left a letter addressed to me with his will. Explained things clearly. My grandfather didn't want her to see a dime, and I'll honor his wishes."

"What exactly is it he left you that she wants?" I find myself confused. His grandfather left him everything? Why didn't his grandfather take him in when he ran away from home?

"Seems my grandfather was a rancher outside of Lampasas. Cattle and Horses. Was a top breeder. Left it all to me and his money. All eight million of it."

I swear, the way my eyes widen, I'm lucky they don't pop out of the sockets. "That's a lot of money."

"Yeah, it's to keep the ranch running smoothly," he explains.

"So, who's running the place since you're not there?"

"The old man wasn't dumb where his business was concerned. He put everything in order before he died. His foreman is looking after everything. I rode out there a couple times and met with the foreman myself. Pretty reasonable guy. He's got a good crew working there. Told him that as long as everything keeps running smooth, I won't step in, but I would be checking."

I nod, though I don't understand why he would care.

"Tomorrow, I'm sure I'm gonna have to answer a shit ton of questions about this shit with my brothers, but you need to understand now, I don't give a shit about the money or anything like that. I'm respecting a dead man's wishes because we have something in common. Keeping it away from a woman and man who don't deserve it."

Ahh, that explains it.

"So, umm, what about me?"

"What do you mean?" he asks, shifting slightly to grab his sandwich and taking a bite without turning totally away from me.

"About, um, what I told you," I say, feeling sheepishly embarrassed because I'd never told a guy that before.

Diablo finishes chewing, swallows, and takes my hands in his. "What you said, it's not something I'd expect, but that doesn't mean that if you give it to me, it won't mean something to me. You've meant something to me since you were thirteen."

Wow, that was a really good answer.

To show him this, I lean in and kiss him.

He kisses me back, keeping it short and sweet.

Pulling away, Diablo swipes a finger over my lips. "Finish eat, Chiquita. We need to sleep. Tomorrow will be soon enough for anything else. I'm damn wiped."