firing him back a question. “You come here, ordering me around, and you expect me to follow you? You expect me to do as I’ve been told, huh?” she asked.
“Robin, it’s not like that.”
“I have to wonder if you’d have even given me a thought if you hadn’t come to see Billy and saw me. I was more of an afterthought, wasn’t I?” she asked.
“No.”
“You’re lying. You know what, I’m sick and tired of liars. I’ve got no time for you or for this.” She tried to pull away, but Preacher wouldn’t let her go and it only made her even madder. “Let me go.”
“I’ve wanted to come to you but I’ve had club shit to deal with.”
“And that always comes first. Have you killed Bishop now as well?”
“Are you pissed I didn’t ask your permission?”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Because I wasn’t going to listen to you or your fucking guilt. It’s what you’re good at, right? Feeling guilty? He sent men to hurt you on purpose and if you think I was going to let him get away with it, you’re wrong.”
“That wasn’t your choice to make.”
“Robin, I love you. You’re my entire world and I nearly lost the club because of my obsession with finding you. I’m not an easy man and I’m not going to let someone who willingly hurts you walk. Reaper had to die and I made sure of that. I took care of it, like I should have done the moment you turned up.”
Tears filled her eyes. “Then why didn’t you come and find me? Is it … over?”
“No. It’s not over.” Preacher pulled her into his arms. “It will never be over. Not with us. I love you too fucking much and I can’t bear to see you like this.”
Without any reason at all, she began to sob. “I’m sorry.”
“You’ve got nothing to be sorry about.”
“I don’t know why I’m crying.”
“I do. It’s fine. You can mourn him.”
She shook her head. “This isn’t about him. It hasn’t been about him for a long time. I don’t love him. I don’t think I’ve loved him ever. I’m so confused. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been a bitch. I don’t know what to do. After finding out what he’d done and then you hadn’t come and seen me, I thought you were through with me. I don’t know what to think or how to feel anymore. It’s all messed up.”
Preacher stroked her cheek and kissed her head. “I think you should come to my place tonight. Bring Bethany with you.” He kissed her again. “I won’t hurt you.”
“What do I do?” she asked.
“If you’re willing to hear me out and give us a chance, you’ll be at my house tonight. If not, I’ll know you want nothing more to do with me.” He nodded past her shoulder and Robin turned to see Anne. She gave Preacher a wave.
“Love you, Robin.”
She didn’t say anything. He kissed her and walked away. It was on the tip of her tongue to beg him to come back, but she didn’t. She turned and walked into the library.
“Bethany’s asleep. She is such a delightful little girl,” Anne said.
“She really is. I don’t know if the food is cold. I’m sorry. I tried to get here as soon as I could.”
“I saw you with Preacher. Why do you look like you’re going to cry?” Anne asked.
Robin took a deep breath. “I’m not going to cry. I’m … I don’t know what I am, to be honest. My emotions have been all over the place with everything.”
“Preacher’s there for you. I know you’re having a hard time, but he loves you. You can see it.” Anne opened up her meal, picked up the burger, and took a large bite.
Robin laughed. “I thought you were dieting again. Some kind of carb thing?”
“I’ve decided all diets suck. Nope. It’s why I sent you to lunch at the diner. I’m happy with the way I am. I’ve had a couple of kids. There’s no way I’m ever going to be a size zero, not that I ever was. If men can’t stand a woman with curves, then I can’t stand them.”
“You’ve changed your opinion.”
“Screw Elijah and everyone else who doesn’t like me. I’m sick and tired of trying to fit into the mold. You’ve helped me to see this, Robin, you have. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Robin picked up a fry. The conversation had taken a dramatic turn. “Really? How?”
“Everything you’ve gone through. I haven’t