Page 35 of Journey

“And then last night, my dad called and told me about the gun,” she says, finishing her explanation.

Nothing makes sense, but I’m not sure that she could explain it any better than she has. She clearly had assumptions that were very wrong about it all.

“I promise you, I had nothing to do with any of it,” I tell her. “I’d never do anything to hurt you, Wren. Quite the opposite. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you.”

Before I know what’s happening, Wren has me shoved against the front window of the shop, her fingers wrapped as far around my throat as they’ll go.

“Wren doesn’t need your fucking protection.”

CHAPTER 18

WREN

I don’t need you or the Soulless Kings.

“You’re not Wren.”

I smirk at the man in my grasp. “No shit, Sherlock. She’s weak, and would never know how to stand up to you.”

“Can you at least tell me who I’m dealing with?”

Rage boils my blood at his ability to speak when I’m trying like hell to squeeze the life out of him. Damn, Wren and her little body.

“Not that it matters, but I’m Aaron.”

He narrows his eyes at me as if trying to decipher my words, and then he grins. “Oh, right. I read about you.”

“The fuck?”

“You fancy yourself Wren’s big bad bodyguard,” he taunts.

“I’ve protected her since she was five years old, you stupid prick,” I bite out. “And I’ll protect her until the day she dies.”

“Hate to break it to you,” he sneers. “But Wren doesn’t need you. She’s got me.”

“And you’re the same as the man who broke her.”

I draw my arm back and attempt a right hook, but Journey stops my hand with his.

“You’re damn lucky that whatever happens to you happens to her. Otherwise, I’d end you.”

“As if you could.”

Journey stares at me for a long moment, and then he surprises me when his face softens. “You don’t need to keep Wren safe from me. I’d never hurt her.”

“That’s what Stone said, and she barely managed to survive him.”

His expression hardens in an instant. “Did you say Stone?”

“Who else would I have said?” I snap. “Her father broke her, and now she’s risking what’s left of herself on you… another biker.”

“You need to let Wren come back,” he says, panicking. “Get her, now!”

“That’s not how it works.”

“Aaron, please. You’ve gotta see that she’s safe with me. I haven’t hurt her yet, have I? And I’ve had opportunity.”

I consider his words and still, I hesitate. “How the fuck am I supposed to know I can trust you?”

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