Page 40 of Crusher

“Put him on speakerphone,” Tessa demands. I hesitate for a moment, but do as she asks. Landon looks at me curiously, but doesn’t say anything.

“Okay, you’re on speaker,” I confirm.

“Crusher, I will kill you if you hurt my best friend.” She sounds serious, but Landon just muffles his snickers behind his fist. “You and your friends may be badass bikers with a bunch of muscles and lots of tattoos, but you don’t scare me. I’ll kick your ass. You got me?”

Landon clears his throat and schools his features, even though she can’t see him. “Of course. I wouldn’t expect anything less from my girl’s best friend. And I know just how deadly you pint-sized women can be.” Humor twinkles in his eyes, but he keeps his amusement reined in.

“Damn right,” Tess agrees over the phone.

I roll my eyes at the two of them. “I’m hanging up now,” I announce before she slips in the last word.

“I’m really fucking happy you’re okay, Sadie. Don’t ever scare me like that again. I can’t lose my best friend.”

“I won’t.” My throat catches, making it difficult to swallow. “Love you, Tess.”

“Love you too.”

I end the call and pocket my phone as Landon draws me into his arms. His rough hands cup my face, tilting my head back for a kiss. “I’m glad you snuck out on me that night.”

I’m surprised, but remain silent.

“Made me chase you. But you’re definitely worth chasing.”

I melt as he leans forward and kisses me again, this time more passionately, and I get a little more lost with each stroke of his tongue. I breathe him in, tugging him closer and wanting nothing to separate us. My fingers press into his hard body, his muscles flexing beneath my touch.

“As much as I want to take you back to bed, we don’t have time,” he says, breathing heavily.

“I know,” I agree as he presses his forehead to mine. Then, he leads me out to the garage and helps me with my helmet before I climb onto his bike and settle in behind him.

The ride to the clubhouse is a blur as my mind races with anticipation of seeing my kid brother. I just want to squish him in my arms and feel that he’s okay. Let him see that I’m okay too, and that I’ll do anything I have to in order to get back to him.

As soon as we walk in the door, my head swivels as my gaze seeks Kyle out. I spot him at a table with a pretty woman, who looks a few years older than me, and the cutest little boy tucked into her side with a stuffed dinosaur.

My eyes lock with Kyle’s and he dashes over to me, wrapping me up in the tightest bear-hug he can muster.

“Are you okay? I was so scared,” he chokes.

“Yeah, I’m fine. See?” I let him get a good look at my face. His hand darts out to touch at my cuts and bruises, and I gently pull back with a wince.

“Does it hurt?”

“Not too bad. You know I’m tougher than I look.” I wink at him, trying to play off my injuries, but his sharpened gaze tells me he’s not buying it.

“I know you’re lying, but I’m happy you’re okay.”

“I’ll always be okay as long as I have you.” I ruffle his soft hair and give him a big smile.

“But what happened? Who hurt you?”

“None of that matters now. I’m fine and I’m with you.”

Landon steps up beside me. “I promised I’d bring her back to you. And no one is going to hurt your sister again.”

Kyle looks between me and the burly biker at my side. My brother’s shoulders finally appear to relax when he accepts the reassurance.

“Now, how about I fix you two some breakfast, and you can catch up?” Landon asks. If this man is trying to make me fall for him, I think it might be working.

EPILOGUE

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