Saving Sin

Chapter 9

Mars was awake, he didn't say anything, didn't make any attempt to move but I knew he was up.

My constant shifting around in the bed had kept him from falling asleep and he knew the best way to comfort me was to wait until I was ready.

I blew out a long and heavy breath.

"I know you're awake."

His chuckle is light and his arms engulf me.

"Kinda impossible not to be with you moving constantly."

His voice is humorous but also gruff from tiredness. I missed his morning voice and hearing it soothed my jitters slightly.

"I can't swallow it, the pill of King being at Asher's today. Rose has three kids, two toddlers and an infant, and even she's ready to go to war. You should have seen her in the leotard and trying to hold on to the automatic. Kennah is barely into big girl panties and she's giving me advice. My daughter knows what war is, better yet she knows that one is coming for us. God damn it she's a baby, my baby and she's scared."

I groan out the last few words because it hurts to know that she's afraid, better yet to think that I'm afraid . She's just too smart, and she reminds me of myself at that age. I can't keep her innocent anymore.

Mars's head is in the crook of my neck and he says

"Rose is going to do whatever necessary to protect the ones she loves. She's learned that from you. Kennah is intuitive and courageous, she's a Lyon baby, and you- you need to relax and remember that when it gets hard, you always break through."

I let the silence scream in between us for a moment and then I whisper

"He was looking for me, gun in his hand, eyes hungry, claimed he was out the game, but still looking for me. I take a class with him."

"Do you feel threatened at all?"

"By him no."

"Then you've already won the battle. I'll stay with you, everyday if you need me too."

"You have obligations to the gang, I can't ask you to do that."

"My only obligation has always ever been you. You and that beautiful baby girl are my priority."

"That's the problem Mars, it means they have better odds at winning the war. You can't lose focus."

I turn my head slightly to look at him and he pulls my chin up into a kiss.

Large hands move stray hair away from my face and lips burn mine again.

He pulls away and his breathless words make my heart jump.

"A violent pack of Lyons, a pride and a coalition stalking its prey, seems a lot more dangerous than a group of Ryder's with guns."

"We aren't actual lions."

"Aren't we?"

His voice is teasing but the words sink in.

"Do you think that hurting Ryder is going to have repercussions?"

His arms tighten around me and pull me closer into him.

"Everything you do has an effect on someone, so yes, I do think we're in danger, but not in anymore danger than we were before today."

"I thought it over a lot, and the last time we talked I told you I wasn't going to leave the gang... but I needed my own space."

"Your father and I have already furnished it, you just need to keep in touch with him."