Page 84 of Fighting a Riot

Against my better judgment, I swiveled toward her. “Beast is married. Though even if he weren’t, who I’m with doesn’t matter to you.” The way she stared at me, it suddenly clicked. “You’re worried about Destin.”

Her lip curled into a half-snarl. “I didn’t say that.”

“It’s the only thing that makes sense. If Destin thinks I’m still available after I’m better, you think he’ll dump you.”

“No,” she said, her tone petulant.

I shrugged. “If you say so, but word to the wise… focus on your own relationship and stop worrying about me.”

She let her snarl loose this time. “Whatever. I’ve got work to do.”

I heard footsteps approaching and Mr. Blake rounded the corner of my cubicle. “Nora? Wait, what are you doing here? I thought you were on medical leave.”

“No, sir. I still have to use up a few more vacation days before the FMLA kicks in.”

From his expression I knew he was about to balk, but I reassured him that I was feeling up to working.

“Make sure you take the time if you need it, Nora. You have to take care of yourself.”

Once Mr. Blake was out of earshot, Mia muttered, “Not like you give a damn about your health. Hanging out with criminals isn’t a good way of taking care of yourself.”

I inhaled as deeply as I could. After another moment, I shoved her words out of my head. Life had proven it could be short. Whether or not Yak was a criminal, I wasn’t sure I cared any more. I knew he’d done right by me in ways very few people had in the past year. That alone put him head and shoulders above Mia and her judgmental ways.

Chapter 13

Stole the Moon

Yak

Yak spotted Volt nursing a highball glass of Jack Daniels at the bar inside the clubhouse. Rage sat next to him, and Yak strode straight to them.

He rested his forearm on the bar and leaned sideways so he faced both men. “What are we doing about the fuckin’ asshole who broke in with Crop?”

With a sigh, Volt threw back the remainder of his whiskey. “Just finished answering the same shit for Rage.”

“And?” Yak asked when the silence stretched.

“And nothing,” Rage muttered.

“You gotta be shitting me,” Yak said, fighting against his temper.

Volt banged the bar, scaring the prospect to attention. After the prospect refilled his glass, Volt sipped his drink and tipped his head to the side for the prospect to give them some privacy.

Volt put the glass down quietly. “If we got someone who’s turned on us, that takes priority. You’ve had Nora in your house, Beast taking her to and from work anytime you can’t, and she’s staying in your room here when you work. She’s safe.”

Yak bit his lip and turned his head toward the pool tables. He was a stone’s throw away from disrespecting Volt, and he never did shit like that. As he exhaled slow and easy, he turned back to Volt. “Not that it matters, but I agree that finding the leak is more important—”

Volt’s brows shot upward. “You sure? The first thing you demanded was what we’re doin’ about Crop’s accomplice.”

Yak sauntered behind the bar and made himself a rum and coke. He took a healthy swig. “Yeah, because I’d like for Nora to sleep in a quiet environment after her next treatment. She thinks she’s pulling the wool over my eyes, but it’s catching up with her. She’s doing as well as can be expected, but I can tell she feels like shit. It’d be nice for her to sleep in her own damn bed.”

Rage aimed a pointed look at him. “Don’t you mean your bed?”

Volt gave a short chuckle. “Pretty sure it’s all the same thing, Rage.” He looked at Yak. “I get you, brother. But, even if we knew who the other asshole was and took him out, I suspect the Lancers will just send someone else.”

“Their ranks have to be thin as fuck,” Rage muttered around his beer bottle.

Volt looked to Rage. “They aren’t. Members from other chapters have ridden out from what Blood, Cal, and Razor can see when they’ve snuck around their clubhouse.”

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