Page 65 of Off-Limits Bad Boy

He runs his hands down his face, betraying his stress. “Emma, I thought I was protecting you and doing the right thing.”

“By lying?”

“By keeping you out of it. I didn't want you involved in the mess with the loan shark.” His genuine tone has my heart softening.

“Kade told me everything,” I say, “You made him believe that you wanted to invest and asked him not to tell me because I’d object. It’s my club, too. You had no right to go behind my back and make those kinds of decisions.”

Alex sighs, the heavy sound filled with regret. “I know, I know. It was stupid.”

“Beyond stupid, Alex. It nearly cost me my relationship with Kade. You put him in an impossible position.”

His brows lift. “I had no idea you two were... were...” He can’t seem to finish the thought.

“That’s fair,” I say. “I kept secrets from you, too. I was afraid you’d hate me.”

His brows furrow and he pulls me into a hug. “Hate you? For what? For falling in love with a damn good guy? I’m ecstatic!”

I breathe a sigh of relief. “I won’t lie to you anymore, Alex. I need you to promise the same. No more lies or secrets, okay?”

“Agreed,” he says.

“Promise?” I ask.

“Promise.”

“Are you okay with Kade and me-”

He holds up both hands, releasing me and mocking surrender. “I don’t need any details.”

I laugh.

“You both have my blessing. And I'll do whatever it takes to support you both. You deserve happiness, Em.”

“Thank you.” The words nearly strangle me, but I’ve never been so happy. “That means everything to me.”

Chapter Twenty-six

Kade

I pace the length of my room, a plan coming together in the back of my mind.

A plan that’s equal parts crazy and amazing. I need to let Emma know how I feel about her, and that I don’t want to lose her. So it's got to be something that screams “you're my everything.”

Emma deserves that and so much more. I chuckle, thinking how she gets that cute crease between her eyebrows when she's surprised. Today, I'm aiming for that look.

I run my hand through my hair and make the call. And I get the answer I was hoping for. Things seem to be falling perfectly into place, and I’m relieved. Finally, things are working out for us.

My heart is racing with adrenaline. This is it. The day I lay it all on the line. No more hiding, no more playing it cool. Emma's going to know just how deep this bad boy has fallen for her.

“Hey, Em,” I say as soon as she picks up. I can't help the smile that spreads across my face at the sound of her voice.

“Hey! What's up?” Her tone is light, curious. She has no idea what I've got planned.

“Get ready for an adventure,” I say, trying to keep the nerves out of my voice. “Pack an overnight bag, and I’ll pick you up in thirty.”

“An adventure?” She lets out a happy laugh, a sound I want to keep hearing for the rest of my life and damn, it revs me up. “With you? Always.”

“Trust me,” I say. “This day... it's going to be special.”