Drive Me Wild

Chapter 34 - Duke

Letting her go was the only way to keep her safe. Even if it would break me.

In my mind, keeping her hostage in the safety of my own home would keep her away from any problems with the Bratva. That wasn't the case anymore. The attack on the club alongside Pavel turning up to the funeral had drastically changed things. Not even the cops would stay away from us now, they bombarded us daily with questions about Dante's death. We were able to make cover stories to start with, but it was becoming more difficult by the minute. Undercover cop cars would sit outside the club all day, waiting for something to happen, something that we could be charged with.

My feelings for Abbie had grown over the months that we had been together, even though I had tried shoving them down and not acknowledging them. It gave me more of a reason to let her go.

I wasn't a good man by far, she deserved so much better than me. Yet, deep inside I didn't want to leave her.

"Are you sure you don't want any money for the house?" Abbie's innocent expression faces me.

Her innocent doe eyes captivated me and left me hooked. She would forever be a memory etched into my mind. No other woman could compare to her.

Over the last few months, I had watched her go from timid and scared to fierce and strong-willed. I secretly admired her for it.

"Don't even try to pay me a single penny," I warn, tipping her chin up with my middle finger.

Abbie kept contact with me, hatred displayed all over her eyes. I refused to stand down and let her win. Money was never an issue with me, I had too much of it for my own good. Buying Abbie a small house and setting her up somewhere nice and quiet was the least I could do after all I had put her through. The house was only a small dent in my balance and the money could be made back within days. There was also a trust fund made in her name which let out a monthly allowance to get her back on her feet. I just had to hope that she would be safe.

"Do you want to go inside then?"

We had been sitting in the car for twenty minutes since arriving, both of us refusing to accept what needed to happen.

"Sure." She grumpily dismisses, throwing open the car door.

Abbie was pushing all my buttons on purpose. Hoping to gauge a reaction out of me, or to scold her for her petulant behaviour. It couldn't happen anymore; she wasn't mine to deal with.

The house was small, but enough for her. A small white fence outlined the outside and a single garage was placed by the side. When I first came across the listing, I was adamant about buying it, it was perfect. It was selling cheaper than usual value due to the owner passing away and the family wanting a quick sale, but it reminded me of the conversation we had previously...

It had just turned four in the morning; I was wide awake. Abbie slept soundly next to me, her even breathing washing a sense of calm over me. I'd returned from the club late, around one in the morning finding Abbie sound asleep in my bed.

For hours I had looked at Abbie, watching her sleep. Eventually her eyes and nose crinkle, her eyes opening to look at her surroundings.

"You're home." She sleepily whispers, cuddling into my side.

"I'm home," I reply, stroking my hand over her hair.

"How come you're so late?"

"I had some problems with the financial side of the club. It's all sorted now."

"Okay." Abbie sits up, resting on her elbow.

"You should go back to sleep."

"I'm not tired anymore. How about we ask each other questions?"