Page 36 of Bruiser's Reckoning

“How are things with Bruiser?” Angie asks, changing the subject to something I like much prefer talking about.

I give her a smile. “They’re good. I think I’m in love with him,” I admit.

“I think if you two are going to talk about this, I’m going to the kitchen and see if I can help in making dinner or something,” Angie’s mom says.

“I think I’ll join you,” Captain Grady grumbles.

“I’m gonna get a beer. I don’t need to hear this shit,” Ross grunts. He stands, walks around the table, and presses a kiss to the top of my head before murmuring, “He might have been your brother and he loved you, but you’re a part of this family too. You’re like a sister to me, and I don’t like seeing you hurting. When you hurt, I hurt. That’s what it means to be a brother, and I know Simon felt the same way. And for the record, Bruiser hurts you, and I’ll put a hurting on him.”

I can’t help but giggle, even with tears running down my cheeks. “Thank you, Ross,” I whisper.

“Anytime, Gwenny,” he says and leaves me alone with Angie.

The two of us aren’t left alone for long, though. Avery, Willow, and Rebel take their place.

“I know you probably don’t want it or need it, but we want you to know we’re all here for you. CJ and Zinnia wanted to come over here too, but they’re in the kitchen still working on putting together something to eat for everyone. Honor’s at work right now, otherwise, she’d also be here,” Avery rambles, fidgeting in her seat.

“We didn’t want to crowd you,” Willow also adds.

“If you need me to do anything. Look into any legal matters regarding your brother, just let me know,” Rebel states, reaching out to grip my hand.

“Thank you, Rebel,” I say, giving her a small smile. “I really appreciate it.”

“Now, what’s this about you being in love with Bruiser?” Angie says, getting back to the topic at hand.

“You’re in love with Bruiser?” Avery asks beaming. “This is great!”

“Totally great,” Willow agrees, nodding.

“I don’t know how to explain what I’m feeling. Just that when it comes to Bruiser, I know he means everything to me. When he lost his mom, I blamed myself for not being able to not only save her but also not to be able to take away his pain.”

“You know we did everything we could,” Angie remarks. “And I can tell you that man, he has some very strong feelings for you, babe. The way he stood close when we first got here and Mom hugged you, then took you back in his arms. That’s not even including the way he acted any other time I’ve been around him. From day one, he’s totally been into you.”

For the next couple of hours, these women have kept me from spiraling and even made me laugh a time or two. Eventually, Angie’s mom and the other ol’ ladies joined us and bought with them a bottle of Jack. CJ claimed nothing helped ease pain the way Jack Daniels does.

By the time the men stepped from church, I was three sheets to the wind, telling the women a story about a call Angie, Mick, and I went on where a guy had his junk stuck on a PVC plumbing pipe that had sealant on it. The guy had all but glued himself to the thing. I don’t even know what had been in his mind about doing something so idiotic.

All of us are giggling when Bruiser comes up behind me and shifts my hair off one of my shoulders.

“You doin’ okay, Princess?” he asks, dips his head down, and presses a kiss to the side of my neck.

“Better with the help of Jack,” I answer, tilting my head back to meet his gaze.

“I see that,” he says, watching me closely. “We’re heading out for a bit, you gonna be okay without me?”

“Where are you going?” The question is out before I can stop it.

“This shit, baby, I’m not about to let it keep happenin’. We’re ending this shit once and for all.” His eyes flash in anger. “I’ll be back in a while. When you get tired, I want you in my bed. Okay?”

I lick my bottom lip, drawing it between my teeth, nodding.

“Good.” Leaning into me, he kisses me. “Be back.”

“Okay.”

I keep my gaze on him as he backs away and stalks through the clubhouse, his brothers with him. I don’t know what they’re planning or going to do, but I hope whatever it is they’re going to do, they come back safe and unhurt. I don’t think I could handle him or anyone else being hurt because of the threat to me.

A part of me wants to just give up and find this monster and give myself over in order to save everyone else. However, the reasonable part of me knows I can’t do that. If I do, my life is over.

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