leave it. You either stay and put some trust in me or pack your little yellow sports car and get the fuck outta my town. What’s it gonna be?” I’m pissed. I’m pissed I didn’t blast an entire clip through the wood of the back door and kill that guy. I’m pissed he got away, and I’m pissed my guys couldn’t track him down. Maybe I’m taking it all out on her, but there’s a boiling point, and I’ve reached it.
She yanks free, huffs, and throws attitude, but underneath she’s scared shitless and not about to disobey me in this. She needs my help. She’ll never admit it, but she’s terrified.
“All right.” Her voice is soft, but it’s a concession nonetheless, and I’ll take it.
“Pack what you need and meet me outside.” I stalk from the room.
The boys are out in the backyard. I stomp down the stairs through the shattered glass shards and snap at Reno. “Have a prospect come board this up tomorrow.”
Bandit is bent down near an outside power box. His phone’s flashlight app lighting it up. “Looks like there’s a main breaker out here that was thrown.” He hits it, and the outside light comes on and the a/c unit whirls to life. He looks up at me. “Who the fuck are we dealing with here?”
“No clue.” I look over at Quick. “See more than one set of footprints?”
He shakes his head.
I glance to the others; they all respond in the negative. My eyes land on Gypsy. He’s busy texting on his phone, and I snap, “We keepin’ you from something?”
He looks up, shoves the phone in his pocket, and has the brains to look contrite. “No, boss.”
Reno shoves his shoulder and glares at him like he’s an idiot. “The fuck, bro.”
“Sorry,” Gypsy grunts.
I huff out a breath. “Go on home, all of you. I got this.”
“Not a fucking chance, prez,” Reno snaps. “Club’s not leavin’ you out here unprotected. We’ll escort you back. We already lost one president this year; don’t plan on losing another one to some madman with a gun who could still be out there. We watch your back until we put this guy in the ground.”
I want to argue with him, but I know he’s lookin’ out for his president, and that’s his fucking job, so I shut up. The door creaks, and I look up. Ashlynn’s standing there with her suitcase.
“You ready?” I snap.
She nods and looks at the broken window.
“Careful of the glass,” Reno says, moving toward the stairs and offering his hand to help her down across the broken shards.
I move to her and take the bag from her hand. I stalk across the yard and pull up the garage door. I glance around, but I know my guys are smart enough to have already cleared it.
Ashlynn pops the trunk, and I shove her bag inside and slam the lid.
I open the door for her, but grab her around the waist before she climbs in and tug her against me. “I just want you safe. I can be a dick, I know. Get used to it.”
It’s a sucky apology, but she nods.
I press a kiss to her forehead. “Reno and I will lead you out. Just keep your distance back a few car lengths. Rest of the boys will ride behind you.”
“Thank you.”
I swipe my thumb down her cheek, and she climbs in. I shut the door and move to my bike. The boys all mount up, and we roll out.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Rusty—
An hour later, I’m tossing Ashlynn’s bag on the bed in my room at the clubhouse. She acts put out until I strip off my clothes and get in bed. I lean against the headboard and watch her. She stares, then huffs off into the bathroom and reemerges wearing a tight racer back t-shirt sans bra and boy short panties. On a body like hers, it’s sexy as hell.
I pull the sheet back, and she climbs in next to me. She cuddles against my side and murmurs, “I’m not ungrateful. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
“I’d have a hard time knowin’ that, way you’re actin’.”
“I need you, I know that, I just hate needing anyone.”
“I get that, Hot Rod, I do.”
“I hate being afraid. I don’t play the victim well.”
“You’re a confident woman. You are no one’s victim.” I tilt her face up and peer down at her. “Hey, club’s gonna find this asshole, and I’m gonna keep you safe until we do. That’s a promise.”
She