Page 65 of Broken Skulls

I take her hand and pull her from the room. “Don’t let me forget to water those plants after breakfast,” I tell her over my shoulder.

When we get to the kitchen, I sense her reluctance, but I escort her to a chair at the table anyway. The minute Jackson looks over at her, he starts in.

“Fuck, dude, you marking your territory or what? You could have just put “Property of JD” on her back.” He walks over and sits down beside her. “I’m sorry you found yourself an idiot. He’s not going to hear the end of this … ever. Our brothers are going to give him so much shit.” He shakes his head in mock sadness at her.

She gives him a shy smile, and I swear I hear her giggle.

Raffe finally realizes what we’re talking about. He looks from Elizabeth to me. “Are you a teenager, JD?”

“Fuck off. I’ve seen Rachel sporting a few of those herself.”

“Okay, please stop. I don’t want to be reminded of my parent’s public displays of affection.” Jackson gags out the last word.

This time I know Elizabeth laughs.

He winks at me, pleased with himself.

I turn back to the stove, suddenly overcome with emotion.

This fucking club. I swipe at my eyes. There aren’t many places in this world that feel safe anymore, but my brothers always feel safe. I should have been honest with them as soon as my obsession with her began. I’ll always be able to trust them, and she will, too.

“So, you going on the run tomorrow?”

I roll my eyes. I’ve already told him I’m not going. I need to stay with Elizabeth. She’s not quite ready to be on the back of my bike for that many hours. She needs to build up her strength.

“No.”

“Great. I’m going to need you to watch Lex.”

“Oh my god,” I groan, falling right into his trap.

Before I can argue, Jackson fills Elizabeth in on who Lex is.

“Her parents sound like mine,” she says when he finally shuts up.

I hand her a plate and sit down. She’s talking to him …

“Maybe you could go with JD, you know, in case she needs someone to talk to.”

Her eyes widen in surprise, and she sits back a little. “I … I guess I could.”

He pretends not to notice her reaction to his asking for her help.

Raffe notices the dragonfly on the refrigerator. He points to it with his fork. “That Charlotte is quite the little artist.”

Elizabeth and I look at each other. “She sure is. Charlotte is Katie and Petey’s oldest daughter,” I tell her. My heart slows when she sees that I’ve handled it. Her secret will always be safe with me.

“I met her at the farm,” she says hesitantly.

“I hear the dragonfly brought you here,” Raffe tells her.

She taps her fingers over her neckline.

His gaze softens. “It’s okay you lost it. The dragonfly always flies where it’s needed most.”

“I hope so,” she whispers.

He leans back in his chair, winking at me. “JD here owes me a big one, because I’m the one who started it all,” Raffe jokes.

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