Reaper's Salvation: A Last Riders Trilogy by Jamie Begley (read a book TXT) 📗

from under his. “We may be legally married,” she said with a raised voice, showing Gavin she knew why he cut her off, “but we won’t truly be married in the eyes of my church until Pastor Dean gives his blessing. To do that, you have to ask Pastor Dean for permission.”

Gavin narrowed his eyes at her. “You’re kidding, right?”

“No, I’m serious. Razer and Shade both had to ask his permission.”

Gavin burst out into laughter. “Now I know you’re joking. Razer maybe—”

He wasn’t even giving her the benefit of the doubt.

Despite his words, Ginny shook her head at his misapprehension, trying to wordlessly show him that she was serious.

“—but there is no way, and I mean no way, Shade asked for Lucky’s blessing and permission to marry Lily.”

“Lily told me herself.” Ginny playfully punched him on shoulder when Gavin burst into another round of laughter at his friend’s expense. “What’s so funny about Shade being romantic?”

“I wanted proof. I just didn’t expect Shade to be the one to give it to me.”

Ginny frowned at him at confusion. “What are you talking about?”

Gavin had to wipe a tear of laughter away. “There is a God.”

Chapter Sixteen

Ginny placed their lunch containers in the microwave before going to the patio door; she hesitated calling out to Gavin that it was ready. He was staring out at the ocean as if he were a million miles away.

Being alone with Gavin for the last eight days with no one else to keep them company had given her insights into the trauma he continued to suffer through on a daily basis. His air of isolation right now had her aching to go to him, yet she knew he needed this moment outside alone to reaffirm he wasn’t locked inside.

She despised herself for letting him come with her. The mental turmoil of being under someone’s else control, even though Allerton had yet to show himself, was taking a toll on Gavin. He was increasingly more silent and constantly pacing around the bungalow as if it were a jail cell.

While the lack of freedom was getting to Gavin, Ginny wasn’t above using the opportunity to better understand him and to grow closer to the solitary man. She wished she knew what he had been like before his kidnapping. Occasionally, he would make a joke like he had about Shade, and Ginny could see a glimmer of something, or someone, behind his eyes, begging to be let out.

Unable to bear watching him in his isolation any longer, she started forward, then halted at the sound of the phone ringing. It was only the second time it had rung since they arrived.

Taking two steps, she reached for the phone, conscious of Gavin coming through the door.

“I’m afraid to answer it,” she admitted.

“I can.”

Ginny shook her head. “Hello?”

“Allerton scheduled a meeting for this afternoon at four,” Agent Collins informed her.

“We’ll be ready.”

Hanging up without any pleasantries, she turned to Gavin. “Allerton wants to see us at four.”

“Lunch ready?”

“Yes, it’s in the microwave. You’re not worried?” she asked at his apparent indifference.

Gavin took the containers out, dividing the food between the two plates. “I would be lying if I said no, but we’ll deal with whatever happens.”

Ginny took a seat at the table to join Gavin, who’d already started eating. “Maybe I should go alone—”

“That’s not going to happen.” Gavin took another bite of his shrimp scampi before pushing his plate toward her. “Go ahead and eat it. It’s good. Best thing we’ve had so far.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Eat. Let me do the worrying.”

“That’s not going to happen,” she mimicked him.

Gavin took another forkful of scampi. “You want to fuck, then?”

Her mouth dropped open. “No.”

“It would take your mind off worrying,” he suggested. “It’s a good way to relax.”

Picking up her fork, she stabbed a big fat shrimp. “I take it you’ve used that relax technique before.”

“A time or two.” Loading up his fork, he ate, unconcerned about her heated glare. “You sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure. I’m relaxed enough. If you feel the need, have at it on your lonesome. I’ll watch.”

His interest was piqued. “You’d watch?”

She almost choked on the shrimp at his dirty expression. Ginny had to drink a sip of water before she could get the damn thing down her throat. “I was joking.”

“Have you ever watched a man jerk off?”

“No, and I don’t want to,” she managed to strangle out.

Gavin placed both elbows on the table to give her a lust-filled, come-hither smile. “Don’t knock it before you try it.”

“I’ll pass.” Ginny picked up her linen napkin to fan herself.

“The Last Riders and I assumed you didn’t know about the rules of the club, but you do. Killyama told you, didn’t she?”

Ginny bounced off her chair as if it were on fire with the embarrassing turn in the conversation. “I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about. You can have the rest of my food. I’m going to take a shower.”

“Ginny.”

Freezing at the authoritative manner he spoke her name, Ginny regretted letting her smart aleck mouth get her in trouble.

“Yes?” Widening her eyes, she tried to bluff the way Silas had taught her.

Gavin wasn’t fooled by her playing stupid. Linking his fingers together, he stared at her. “We were discussing what else Killyama told you.”

“I wouldn’t call it a discussion,” she corrected him. “And for your information, Killyama has never mentioned the rules of the club. Satisfied?”

“Not hardly. Who told you then? T.A. or Sex Piston?”

“No one, okay? Jeez, what got us on this topic anyway?”

“You’re lying.”

Ginny pulled her shoulders back, affronted. “I am not. I would never lie to you.”

“Very well.” Gavin dropped his hands and began eating again.

Thinking she was going to get away scot-free, Ginny tried to make her escape again.

“Would you like me to tell you the rules?”

Gritting her teeth, Ginny knew there was no way in hell she was going to be able to listen to Gavin tell her the rules of the club and be able to keep up