Page 23 of Southpaw Slots
ARIANNA
Hopping down the stairs, I pull out my phone and text Wyatt.
Me
He says you can come over!
Wyatt
He says…
Frowning, I await more of a response, but nothing comes.
Me
Are you coming? Come over!
Wyatt
No, Ari.
A half sob leaves my mouth. Calling him immediately, he doesn’t answer. I call again after getting hisvoicemail.
“Arianna, are you safe? Is he causing you issues, or are you just trying to make me the other man?” he grits out across the line.
“I asked him, Wyatt. He said you can come over and he doesn’t care if we’re together. You can stay here instead of your crappy apartment now! He said the only thing is, you’re not allowed to, um, impregnate me. So no front stuff.” I always get my way. It’s no surprise that Ace already gave in, though I do have to wonder if it wasn’t more than just my body that pushed him into agreement.
My ear vibrates with the sound of his deep sigh. “This is not my ideal way to be with you.”
“But you’ll be with me?”
“I-I need time to think, Ari. I’ll let you know.”
“Wyatt!” But it’s too late. He’s hung up. Taking the stairs two at a time, I run into my new closet, pulling out my leather pants and a tank top, not even bothering to tie up my hair. When I head outside, I glance around for the garage. Oh, yes. It’s on the other end. When I start that way, Smeath catches me as he exits the back gate.
“Hello, gorgeous. Where are you off to?”
“I need my bike. I’m taking a ride.”
His gray eyes crinkle as he scratches his forearm. “Have you discussed that with Kline? I’m not sure… Things with security are still heightened. I believe we’re all worried about Strauss doing something more to get to you.”
“Smeath, I just want to take a small ride. If Idon’tgo, we’ll be in more danger.” I’ll tell my brother that Asa is mean, and he and Wyatt would kill every security guard to get to me.
It feels like I never left Freidenberg manor with these high walls and a pretend sense of freedom. Stepping closer to him, I lower my voice. “My brother won’t leave the manor because of my sister-in-law’s pregnancy. I’m dying to see my family.Please.”
With a slight dip of his shoulders, Smeath seems relieved when Kline emerges from the house behind me. “Mrs. Donovan, heading out?”
“Yes, Kline. I’m going to visit my brother. I just need my motorcycle.” Brushing past them both, Kline falls in step with me.
“You should take security with you, if you go.”
“They’ll only slow me down.”
He tries to grab my attention by snagging my arm, and I pause, my eyes narrowing on his touch. Quickly, he yanks his hand back. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
I place my hands on my hips and give him the look I reserved for Tara Carpenter when she tried to wear the same prom dress as me and said she looked better in it. “Kline, who is the senator of the south?”
“Uh, well, Mr. Donovan, of course?—”