“Gotta be smart. They’ll call you a runaway, and if they think I’m involved—Fuck.”
“I could get a job and pay rent. I can take care of myself.”
“You gotta go home.”
“Didn’t you hear anything I said.” I shove his chest and he wraps those big arms around me. The scent of his cologne hits me, and my insides go all gooey like the center of a fresh baked cookie.
“I heard every damn word. Now hear me. You don’t know if you’re pregnant, but there’s other shit you gotta think about. Like STDs. Did they use protection?”
“I don’t...I don’t know. I think so. I remember seeing a wrapper on the floor.”
“That’s good, but darlin’, you gotta get checked out. I’ll drive you myself if you promise me, you’ll go back to your folks for a little while. They need to know you’re okay.”
Chill bumps fan up and down my arms. I know he’s right. Oh God. What if I’m pregnant and diseased? My life is over. I’m ruined.
“Get out of that dark headspace.”
“My life is over.”
“No. It’s not.”
“You don’t know that. You know how it is around here. Once everyone knows...it’s all anyone will think about when they look at me.”
“People will believe what you want them to believe.”
“You think so?”
“Know it.”
“Okay. What do you see when you look at me?”
James studies me closely, staring so intently I’m certain he sees straight to my soul. “You’re scared. A bit lost, but you’re also resilient.” A shiver passes through me.
“How’d you get the name Murder?”
“It’s a secret.”
I roll my eyes and the corners of his mouth twitches. “There’s that fire.”
“What?”
“Nuttin’. You really want to know how I earned my name?”
“Tell me,” I demand, snuggling deeper into his side.
“Fuck. I tell you this it stays between us. Yeah? I know your secret and you’ll know mine.”
I yawn. “Sounds fair enough.”
“Right.” He chuckles and the sound warms me to the core. He has this deep raspy laugh. One that sounds like he’s smoked too many cigarettes or like a cowboy in one of the old westerns my father watches all the time.
“I killed a man.”
“Okay...and?”
“And what?”
“Where’s the rest of the story?”
His cell phone goes off, and he slides his arm from around me. “Another time. Get some sleep. In the morning we’re going for a ride.” James rolls over me and off the bed, going to his feet as he answers the call. “Lo. Where the fuck have you been?”
I stare at his back taking in the Royal Bastards MC insignia covering most of his skin. He’s a beautiful man. Ruthie doesn’t deserve him. I don’t either, but I want him.
Chapter Five
I peek in at Alexa one more time. She finally conked out a few hours ago. I haven’t slept a fuckin’ wink. Got feelers out for that spineless piece of shit. He touched the wrong girl. Alexa doesn’t have anyone to stand up for her so it’s up to me. Shit I shouldn’t be involved in but here I am. There’s something about her since the moment I first laid eyes on her. Something inside her called out to me. I keep trying to deny and fight this pull I have, but our paths have crossed and tangled. This girl has rooted herself deep in me.
For what purpose, that remains to be seen, but I can’t let this one go. If I’m being honest with myself, I need her as much as she needs me if not more. Been a long time since I’ve felt a connection with anyone. When I look at Ruthie all I see is regret and old wounds that I’m not sure can ever heal. Maybe if I help Alexa, I’ll right some of my wrongs. Be the man she needs in her life to get her out of this town. She stays here she’ll drown.
Three knocks in rapid succession tap on the front door. I peer out the blinds and see Slick on the porch with the shit I asked for. I open the front door and take the bags. “Anyone see you or ask any questions?”
“Nope. Got everything you asked for.”
“Ruthie and Ro?”
“Didn’t know I was there.”
“Good. Good. You find that weasel yet?”
“No, but I’m looking and being discreet just like you asked me to.”
“Appreciate it. Minute you tag his ass, I wanna know. Bring him to the basement.”
“You got it, brother.” He fishes the keys to his cage out of his pocket and trades me for the key to my bike.
“Call me soon as you got something.”
Slick nods and takes off. I close the door and sit the food and drinks on the worn coffee table and lay the envelope with her new life to the side. Trudging to the bedroom where she sleeps my stomach rumbles at the scent of bacon, cheese, and egg biscuits. When I open the door she’s just waking up.
“Hey,” she whispers.
“Got you breakfast. Get dressed and meet me in the living room.” I drop her bag on the edge of the bed.
“Okay. Thanks for last night. For listening. For just being here.” Her wavy blonde hair hugs her shoulders as she slips out of bed in my tee looking too damn good in it. Too damn grown and fucking broken.
I grunt and clear the tickle from the back of my throat. “Don’t mention it.”
Alexa’s gaze flitters over my chest. Her lips tip into a smirk that shakes me deep in my bones. She doesn’t need to be looking at me, flashing me that fire in her eyes that threatens to burn me. To scorch me to the ends of the earth. “Guess you’ll be wanting this.” My shirt flies over her head and whips across the room. Her bruised and defiled body put on full display.
I close my eyes and grip my shirt in my fist. Turning my back to the sight, I call out, “Get a move on. Got shit to do today.” Like find that
