Page 29 of Bruiser's Reckoning

“Oh, um, okay. Well then, I’m ready.”

Bruiser holds out his free hand. “Phone.”

I bite back a curse, wishing he’d forget to ask about it, and walk over to where I’d tossed my purse on the couch and pull out my phone. “Here you go,” I state a bit snappishly.

Taking the phone in his hand, he tosses it behind him on the side table, where it lands with a clatter. “Let’s get moving,” he orders, jerking his chin toward the door. “Dagger’s already in the truck waiting for us.”

“Why are we all riding in a truck?” I’m sure it seems like an annoying question to ask, but I need to know exactly what’s going on. I don’t like being in the dark.

“You, me, and Dagger are in the truck. Carbine and Colt are on their bikes. Mine and Dagger’s bikes are in the trailer,” he informs me while opening the door and stepping through, keeping me shielded.

“Why trailer the bikes?” I really wish he’d tell me what’s going on. For that matter, when did they get a truck here with a trailer? This whole thing is starting to piss me off—more than just a little bit.

“In the truck, Princess. I’ll tell you once we’re in the truck.”

“Fine, you better not leave anything out.” I huff and follow his lead to the truck, where he opens the back door of the dual cab, tosses my bag in, turns to me, and hefts me up into my seat without so much as a grunt of response.

A moment later, he closes the door and rounds the hood to get in while Dagger hops into the passenger seat.

“Bikes are secure,” Dagger remarks and turns to look behind him at me. “Don’t worry about Grady. I made a call to him while waiting on you, explained a few things, and told him I’ll be in touch.”

“You talked to my captain without me even knowing first what’s going on?” I snap, close to losing my temper.

“Princess,” Bruiser takes on a totally new tone with me, one that not only seems like a warning, but seems like I’m nearly hitting the danger zone with him. His body is tense and his eyes are focused ahead of him on the road as he maneuvers the truck out of the parking lot and onto the road, heading in the direction of the interstate.

Why the hell does the song from Top Gun pop into my head? Like, seriously, if I don’t get answers soon, I’m going to officially lose it.

“Don’t Princess me, Dorian Tyler Bruiser Gentry,” I all but snarl, using not only his road name but mixing it in with his real one because what the hell. “I deserve a damn answer as to what’s going on.”

“Yeah, you do, Gwyneth,” Bruiser growls. “And I’ll give them to you, but first, I’m trying to get us out of town before anyone is the fuckin’ wiser. The last thing we need is for someone that wants to claim the bounty on your damn head to take their chance or follow us.”

“What bounty?” I demand. My entire being seems to freeze all over.

“The one that was put out for you that’s worth a shit ton to a lot of people,” he grinds out. “Now, chill out. Give me just a little bit of time to get you the fuck out of here before I start telling you how this bastard is willing to pay five million to get his hands on you.”

My stomach twists all the more, and I clamp my mouth shut. The blood in my veins goes cold, and a chill rushes over my body. Suddenly, I feel colder than I’ve ever felt in my life, including the time I spent in that godforsaken hellhole my mom sent me to.

Sitting back silently in my seat, I kick off my shoes, pull my legs up onto the seat, wrap my arms around them, press my cheek to my knees, and look out the window. There’s nothing else I can say right now. Bruiser needs to focus, and I need to absorb the fact that some monster is willing to pay that much money for me.

Why? Why would someone be willing to pay such an amount? I’m having a hard time comprehending all of this. I need Bruiser to talk to me and explain what he knows, but not right now. He needs to focus on the road and make sure we get wherever it is we’re going safely.

“Come on, Princess, we’re here.”

“Hmm,” I murmur, feeling his big arms scooping me up out of the backseat where I’d fallen asleep at some point.I blink a couple times, seeing it was dark out, but I could hear the sound of waves splashing. “Where are we?” I don’t bother lifting my head off his shoulder and simply snuggle deeper into him.

“One of the club’s safe houses,” he answers, backing away from the truck.

“We’ll get all the bags,” Dagger announces, keeping his voice quiet.

Bruiser grunts something, but I don’t really hear him as I allow myself to drift off once again. With this man’s arms around me, warmth starts to seep through the cold, and I feel safe when I know safety isn’t something I should allow myself to feel right now.

“You gotta wake up, baby,” Bruisers murmurs, not letting me completely fall asleep again. “I gotta make sure you eat something, then we’re gonna finally talk.”

“I don’t wanna,” I grumble sleepily. “Tomorrow.”

“Gwyneth, we’re not waiting until then.”

I know that tone Bruiser’s using and it’s not one I’m willing to argue with. Honestly, I don’t even have the energy to fight him on it.

---