CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Kingston
I hustle through a quick shower because I’m ready to get my fill of sweet Ruby. That little gem is on my mind all damn day. I’m like a new man since talking with my baby brother. I’m at peace in moving forward with my plan. Like Wyatt said, Fournette goes without saying. He’s so easy going and up for whatever.
I can’t wait to see her face when it all comes together. I spot her hopping over a broken stump off the trail as I make my way down the bendy drive. “Hey, little lady. Wanna ride?” I wink to give the teasing an extra punch.
“Well, look at you, always coming to my rescue.”
I memorize the way her body glides toward the truck. She slides into the middle and I love the way her face glistens without a stitch of makeup. Fresh, just the way I left her in bed this morning.
“I was supposed to tame this shit before you got here.” She tucks tiny strands of hair behind both ears.
“What the hell are you jabbering on about, woman? You look good enough to eat.” I give her thigh a squeeze and I savor the way she wiggles from the tickle. “So, how was your day?”
“Just hanging out with a couple of friends.”
I pull up to the cabin and hit the brakes. I slam the gear shift into park and try to compose myself before I snap my head in her direction. “I thought I told you to lay low. I knew you wouldn’t listen, but I thought you’d at least have the sense not to talk to strangers.”
I see the way she rounds her eyes and I instantly know I fucked up.
“You told me? As in you fucking ordered me to lay low? Maybe you’re confused because I don’t take being bossed around. Not anymore. I only went to the marina. You wanna discuss my safety? Fine. Let’s talk. But you wanna order me around? You can find yourself another damsel in distress. I don’t need this bullshit.”
One. Two. Three. Four. Fuck! One. Two. Dammit!
I shift to position myself in Ruby’s direction. Hunching forward, I dip my head to lock gazes with her strong blue pools of fiery passion. I take her hand in mind and caress her perfect, smooth skin with my rough fingers. “First, I am so sorry. I didn’t mean it the way it came off. I would never, never, hurt you. Not physically or verbally. I’m just so god damn worried leaving you out here alone while I’m out on that damn boat.”
I suck in air when I see the hard lines around her mouth begin to soften. She reaches out and presses a flat palm against my fuzzy cheek. “I appreciate that. I know you mean well. Like I said, I just went to the marina. I had coffee with Gus and Deb. No run ins with anyone else.”
“Deb?”
“Yeah, a girl I met up there yesterday. She’s a little over the top, but nice enough.”
“She from these parts?” I want to ask a thousand questions, but I’ll be damn if I’m going to get her riled up again.
“I guess she used to be. She’s a Thibodaux, I think. Anyway, it was nice to get out and be around people.”
“Speaking of that, the second thing I had to talk to you about, I was gonna ask if you wanna go out tonight. Maybe get a cold beer and a dance or two. Fournette’s already up there and Wyatt’s on his way. Up for it?”
She snaps her back straight before pulling on the door handle.
I stare after here. “Where ya going?”
She stops and glances back over her shoulder. “I’m doing something with this mop on my head. I got a hot date.”
*
Ruby bounces up and down as she gleams at the obnoxious, neon sign flashing in the background.
Lazy Lizard.
“You ready for a good time?”
She nods, and it makes me think of a toddler being asked by Santa if she’s been naughty or nice. Seeing her like this is fuel for me. It’s like the actual breath in my lungs.
The bar is in full swing and Fournette’s already made himself the center of attention with the ladies. A two-second scan lands on Wyatt. He’s bellied up to the bar in the far corner sulking as usual. That’s his normal face now since losing Lilly.
“There she is, the prettiest gal on the bayou.” Wyatt raises his beer can in the air and tries to hide his goofy grin when Ruby slaps a big hug on him.
Interesting.
“What’ll it be?” He asks. “I’m buying first round.”
I get ready to ask her order, but Fournette might as well be a walking, talking monkey wrench. “Grab her a Bud. She’s gonna be thirsty!” He grips her by the hand and spins her around in circles until they’re sweeping across the dance floor.
“You gonna let him do that?” My brother gives me a side glance.
I shrug. “Look at her face, man. The littlest things make her so damn happy. I’m not so sure I’ll ever get used to seeing that smile. I never want to see her look any different.” I can’t pry my eyes away from Ruby. She’s got her hips shaking, matching that mangy dog. If he weren’t my best friend, there’s no doubt I’d knock his dick in the dirt, but Fournette’s harmless. In this case, anyway. I watch the way her long hair sways around her soft shoulders. She radiates happiness. Freedom.
This is what bliss must feel like. She’s the only thing I want to look at. The only person I want to talk to. The only person I want to be with, just me and her.
My pulse picks up speed when I notice the way Fournette slows his pace. He comes to a stop and furrows his strong brow when he snaps his head in my direction. He’s sending a warning and it comes just in time. All the hair on my arms stand at attention and the nape of my neck tingles from all the little nerve endings screaming at me from the inside.
The door opens wide and the first pair of eyes I see blazing with trouble doesn’t come as a surprise.
Ayden.
He’s promptly followed by Bryce, with his chest puffed out like always, and the rest of the pack. And every last one of them appear to be three sheets to the wind and ready to brawl.
“Hey, maybe we should head out.” Wyatt’s hard stare follows the brood as they strut through the crowded bar with one intention.
“I think it might be too late. Besides, since when do you tuck tail, little brother?”
“Easy, man. I’m just thinking of your asset out there on the dance floor.”
I jerk my head and scrub my tense jaw. I throw my gaze over my shoulder. Fournette gives me a nod, indicating that he’s got Ruby covered.
He seizes her by the elbow and with a stern, hard expression on his face, I watch him fill her in on the situation. I know because the same expression wipes out her smile and the happy glint in her bright, blue eyes.
It makes me hate the pack all that much more for stealing her night.
“You ok, there?” Wyatt is trying to get a read on me and Ayden at the same time. He spent a year sniping out wolves all along the Gulf in retaliation before starting to move on after Lilly. Now, here he is being pulled into my shit once again.
“I’m good.” I roll my tight neck.
“You ready?”
“Only every fucking day.” I stand up and shove the stool up under the bar. My brother does the same. I can feel Fournette behind me without even having to turn around.
“She’s tucked away. Woman’s room, third stall.”
I expel the heavy weight from my lungs and the growl in my chest vibrates up to my throat and rumbles to the surface. The heat searing against my back is coming straight off Fournette’s body. The dog’s ready to attack. He’s just waiting for my lead.
My lead.
My responsibility.
My clan.
The pack is making their rounds and leaving a trail of wide eyed stares and gaping mouths. Half the bar has emptied out. I’m sure most are hoping to avoid the inevitable. The other half are lingering behind in gross curiosity.
The bartender works in haste to clear away the glasses and bottles before they become shattered debris.
Bryce and Eli, Ayden’s youngest brother, split off and I observe them to make sure they steer clear of the hallway that leads to the restrooms. Ayden and Oliver come down the middle while the far side is covered by two young bucks I’ve only seen in passing.
I pump my fists and finally lock stares with the pack leader, daring Ayden to make his move.
Not tonight, cock sucker.