Page 79 of May 11

Her lower stomach fluttered. She would take his punishment in a heartbeat. Still, he'd stayed home last night because she couldn't find the energy to go out and be around other people after failing to connect with her brother. He deserved a night out.

She tucked the front of her shirt into her jeans, straightened her necklace, and put on her hoop earrings.

Hanging around Havlin Motorcycle Club had shown her that women wore small, tight clothes that showed a lot of skin. Since that style would only draw attention to the bigger parts of her body, she decided to wear a band shirt that hugged her curves and a pair of Rocker jeans that showed off her ass. The outfit made her feel sexy.

She walked out to the living room. Wire stood at the window.

"It's not raining, is it?" She looked forward to riding with him on the Harley and hoped the storm forecasted for later wouldn't come early.

"Nope." Wire continued to look outside in the dark. "Someone's coming. A lone headlight rounding the corner."

She picked up her leather jacket, which Wire had bought her. Havlin members stopped by the house at all hours. It was probably one of his MC brothers coming by to see if they were going to the party.

A low rumble filled the house. She slipped on the jacket and flipped her hair out of the collar.

A crack of thunder shook the house. She flinched, meeting Wire's gaze. Her hopes were dashed. She could see in his expression that they wouldn't go out in the weather.

She'd learned quickly that if Wire couldn't ride, he'd prefer to stay home than take her car. A few times, she drove, and he followed her on his bike when he thought the weather would change while they were out.

She worried about him on the road when the pavement got slick.

Wire looked back outside. His hand went to his lower back, and he wrapped his hand around the butt of his pistol.

She swallowed, unsure what was going on. Having not grown up around weapons, she preferred not to think of him carrying a gun. It was easy to ignore because he kept it out of sight.

"Wire?" she asked.

He stepped toward the door. "It's your brother."

She swayed. A rush of hope filled her. Had he changed his mind about getting to know her? Or was he coming around to tell her he was leaving Seaglass Cove?

A loud bang rattled the door as lightning flashed outside. Rain fell on the metal roof.

Wire flung the door open and raised his gun. Cora's heart raced. Every detail rushed toward her as the moment slowed.

Wire's pistol was aimed at her brother's chest.

Her brother stared past Wire as if he was no threat and met her gaze.

Rain reflected in the porch light fell like shards of glass, ready to cut.

Wire never moved. "I won't give you a chance to hurt her again."

Her heart raced. She stepped forward but stopped herself from touching Wire in case she startled him, and he accidentally shot Ruger.

"Honey." She swallowed through the tightness in her throat. "Put the gun down."

Wire grunted and left his hand up with the pistol pointed at Ruger. She gently touched his back and leaned against him so only he could hear her.

"I'll be okay," she whispered against his leather vest. "I want to know why he came here."

Wire lowered his arm to his side. She stepped around him and faced her brother. The last time she'd seen him, he showed no emotions. She was shocked to see his features hardened with anguish.

The wind whipped inside the house, bringing the rain down on Ruger. He ignored the weather and continued to stare.

"You look like her," said Ruger.

The roughness of his voice gave away his turmoil. She nodded. Everyone had told her that she looked like her mother. They were both sturdy and strong, inherited from the Germans on her mother's side—or so she was told.

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