Sage

I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing. I was standing there, bottle gripped in my hand, dick out, Bex down on her knees, wet, willing, and ready to suck me off—and all I could do was think about the way I dumped Brook and left. She’s where she belongs, so why the fuck am I back on my bike, driving toward Gin’s house for the second time tonight? Because I’m a dumbass.

When my headlight falls on her tiny frame walking down the highway, her arms clutched close to her chest for warmth, I know I made the right decision. Even if it isn’t the real reason I came back, I’m going to roll with it.

“Should have fuckin’ known you would try to run again.” Nothing comes out of that smartass mouth of hers when she looks up at me. Through the moonlight, I can just make out the puffiness of her eyes and tear stained cheeks. Fucking hell. “Come on, kid. Get on.” I reach back, grab the helmet from my saddlebag, and hand it to her. Without a word, she takes it and places it over her head before pulling herself onto my bike behind me. No more words are spoken as I turn around and head back toward the clubhouse. Her soft body heating my back tenses the closer we get, then relaxes slightly when I ride past the gate—until I pull into Rock’s driveway.

“What is this place?” she asks as I park in front of a small guest house within walking distance of the clubhouse.

“Rock had it built when his place was finished. It’s for the visiting club’s families. So they don’t have to stay in the clubhouse if they don’t want to. Mainly his in-laws.” I let her off the bike and stow away my helmet before following her to the front door. Buggs keeps the place nice and clean so it’s no surprise to find it spotless and smelling like I dipped my nose in a scented candle.

“This place is nice,” Brook says in almost wonderment.

“Buggs is in charge of it. ‘Course it is.” I let out a chuckle and take a look around. Warm colors bathe the living room as Brook walks farther into the cabin and flicks on the lights. Generic paintings line the walls, as if we’re in some sort of bed and breakfast. “You can take whatever room you want. Just do me a favor, kid.” She turns to regard me, hand on her hip, probably mad I called her kid again.

“And what would that be?”

“Stay here. Don’t try running off, okay?”

“I can do that.” She nods, and I take that as my cue to leave. “Aren’t you going to stay? Make sure I don’t run off?”

Shaking my head, I turn and force myself from the guest house, closing the door behind me. The thought of cementing it shut crosses my mind for a moment—not to keep her in, but to keep me out—but I keep going.

I straddle my bike, ready to get the fuck out of here, when Rock’s voice comes from the dark. “You having her stay here?” he asks, lighting a cigarette. The bright flicker of the lighter gives his position away.

“I took her home, but she didn’t stay long. Found the little shit walking halfway to town.”

“Makes you think she’ll stay this time?” The orange ember gets closer, until his face comes into view just feet from me.

“Not a damn thing. I’m just hoping since it’s close to the club she won’t get very far.”

“Maybe. Or you could stay here. Make sure she don’t leave,” he suggests, and I inwardly groan.

“If that’s what you want me to do.”

He nods as he takes another drag and blows it out. “Rather she be watched if she’s a flight risk. Don’t want her runnin’ off in case whoever shot Gin isn’t done.”

“You think the prick will be going for his family?”

Rock shrugs. “The shot on Jay wasn’t an accident. The bullet hit its target. Shooter could be gunning for the whole family.”

“Shit. Yeah. I hear ya. Who has Tanya?”

“Vin. That little girl will be looked after, and Grace has Jake watching her back at the hospital. Know that woman ain’t leavin’ Gin’s side unless someone drags her away.”

I nod in understanding. “I’ll see you in the mornin’ then,” I tell Rock as I swing my leg off my bike and start toward the cabin again. Fuck. Maybe I can talk Ringer into babysitting duty tomorrow. It seems the farther I get from Brook, the closer we’re brought back together. Not good.

Not even a little bit.