Page 81 of Pulse

Liv opened her mouth, but no words came out. The two stared at each other across a chasm of charged silence.

Harper’s gaze pinged between the two before she stepped forward. “We’re here to take you to Brooke’s. I have no idea what’s going on, but I know it’s serious. You belong with us for whatever is going on.”

“Oh…” She glanced at Liv before focusing on Harper. “Thank you, but I’m not sure my being there is the best idea. I’m not sure how much you heard, but—”

“Nothing. I’ve heard nothing. No one has told me anything, and it’s driving me nuts,” Harper said with a humorless chuckle. “Liv said it’s your story to tell. You’re one of us, so we’re here to listen and support you.”

“I don’t know…”

Liv stepped forward and pulled Talia into a huge hug. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice thick with regret.

“Are you kidding me? You pretty much saved my life.” Liv had nothing to apologize for. Talia would never hold Spec’s actions against her.

“I’m sure you were terrified.” Liv still held her tight.

“Yeah, a little. Or so much I’m surprised I didn’t pee myself.” She tried for a laugh, but no one joined her. Guess they were going with acknowledging their real feelings.

Ugh.

They broke apart, both sniffling and watery-eyed. Liv shook her head. “Spec wouldn’t have…” She shrugged. “He’s—”

“It’s okay, Liv.” She gripped the other woman’s upper arms. “He’s supposed to protect the club, and he felt I was a threat. He was just doing his job.”

“Yeah, well, that’s not how things are done in this club. Curly was furious. I’ve never seen him so mad. He threatened to rip Spec’s enforcer patch off his cut and shove it up his ass.”

Harper snorted. “Jinx mentioned Curly had some creative threats. He just didn’t know why they were being issued.”

“Don’t worry,” Liv said. “I expect Spec will be much more reasonable today.”

“What makes you say that?” Talia couldn’t imagine the enraged man had softened his approach.

Liv smirked. “I haven’t let him touch me in three days, and that includes sleeping his sorry ass on the couch the last few nights. The man is going through some serious withdrawals right about now.”

Harper’s eyes widened. “And you think that’s going to make him behave better? I made sure to give my man the BJ of his life this morning so he’s all happy and agreeable.”

“I, uh…” Talia blinked. These women were nuts. “I have no words.”

“You don’t need any.” Liv linked her arm through Talia’s. “Just know my man is desperate to get some, and he knows that will not be happening anytime soon if he loses his shit today. I got your back, girl. Now, slip your feet into those cute sandals and come with us. You don’t need to bring anything.”

It had to be better than sitting around and pretending to work while internally freaking out.

“All right. Let me grab my phone.” She hustled over to the counter, grabbed her phone, and then stuffed her feet into the cute sandals Liv referenced. Together, they walked out into the warm, late-morning sunshine.

“Want me to drive us over?” Harper asked. “I’ve got my car here.”

“I have my car, too,” Talia added. She might as well contribute somehow.

“Nope.” Liv marched around the barn-turned-apartments. “I have a much better idea.”

“Uh, Liv…” Harper hurried after her, leaving Talia no choice but to follow.

“We’re taking these.” Several ATVs were parked under an overhang alongside the barn.

“Oh, I’ve never driven one of them before.” Today probably wasn’t the day to start. Wrecking one of the club’s vehicles would be icing on the cake she’d already frosted with crap.

“No worries. You can ride with me.”

“Um… Liv, aren’t you banned from driving these?” Harper asked. She stood with her hands on her hips, assessing Liv.

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