Page 76 of Pulse

“We’re all complicated, Spec. All square pegs trying to fit into round holes. You know that better than most. It’s what brought us all together in the first place.”

“Don’t, Prez. Don’t compare us. We’re nothing alike. I would die for this club, and this motherfucker would hand us over to his buddies, the goddamn feds.”

The kitchen door opened, and Liv burst into the room, barefoot and breathing like she’d run a marathon. Her hair was messy, she didn’t have a stitch of makeup on, and she wore sweatpants and a tank top. Never before had Pulse seen her looking anything but put together and perfect in designer clothes with shoes and makeup to match.

“Spec!” she shrieked as she skidded to a halt. “Stop. What are you doing?”

Spec jolted as though he’d been slapped. “Liv, get the fuck out of here. You don’t want to be here.”

Brooke came in also but stayed near the kitchen entrance, staring with wide, terrified eyes.

Shaking her head, Liv continued toward her ol’ man. “Scott,” she said in a level voice. “Baby, please put the gun down. I don’t know what happened, but Pulse is your brother, and Talia has done nothing but help the club.”

“Liv, go. You don’t understand. He was a fucking fed. This one came here to plead his fucking case.” Spec vibrated with rage as he filled his ol’ lady in with the bare-bones details.

Liv reeled back in shock. She turned her astonished gaze Pulse’s way. With every telepathic power he didn’t possess, he tried to pass his thoughts and intentions to her through his mind. She blinked, then switched her attention to Talia, whowas now trembling. Something passed between the women, an unspoken bond and connection he’d never fully understand.

“You saidwas,” Liv took another step toward Talia.

“What? Babe, back the fuck up.”

Shaking her head, Liv took another step. “I can’t do that, Scott. You said he was a fed. Not is. Jo was a cop, and you love her. Maverick’s ol’ lady was FBI and stayed at our house.”

“He lied.”

“Well, then punch him in the face or something, but don’t do this. He’s your brother.” She kept walking closer.

Spec spat on the floor. “Not anymore.” He’d gotten so lost in his anger that he didn’t realize Liv had reached Talia.

Pulse held his breath as Liv pushed Talia behind her. She now stood at the business end of Spec’s pistol.

He lowered the gun immediately. “Baby…” Anguish tinged his voice.

“This is not the way.” She reached for his hand.

Spec sagged. He let the gun slip from his fingers into Liv’s, who passed it off to Curly before wrapping her arms around her man.

Talia let out a choked cry and then sprang toward Pulse like a stallion shooting out of the starting gate. He threw himself toward her, meeting her halfway. She leaped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his back as she buried her face in his neck. He caught her with ease and held her against him so tight he couldn’t believe she didn’t squawk in protest.

God, she felt so good—warm, soft, alive.

She trembled and cried softly in his arms, which tore his insides to pieces. This strong woman should never be made to shed a tear. And it was all his fault. If Spec had hurt her—

Don’t go there.

Liv had his gratitude forever.

Fuck talking to Curly or trying to work things out right then. Talia mattered most, and she needed to get the fuck out of there. Breaking down in front of others would upset her almost as much as being held at gunpoint. Pulse marched toward the exit with his arms full of Talia.

Before he reached the door, Brooke ran over. “Here,” she said, holding out a key. “Take apartment four. I overheard the entire thing from the kitchen. The two of you will be safe there from the feds, and Curly will keep the club away until the dust settles. No one will bother you. You have my word. I also turned your truck off and put the keys in the apartment.”

He searched Brooke’s eyes and found nothing but sincerity and trust. “Thank you,” he said with a nod as he accepted the key. Then, without another word, he slipped out of his favorite place in the world, but the place that now represented his most terrifying moment.

Neither spoke as he carried Talia across the property to the apartment. At some point, they’d need supplies to last them through more than a night or two, but that was a problem for later. Now, he needed to feel Talia’s skin, hear her breathe, and hear her heart thump in her chest.

By the time he reached the apartment, Talia had stopped crying and quivering. She clung to him like he might vanish if she lessened her hold, but he’d never complain about being crushed in her embrace.

As soon as he closed the apartment door behind them—the same one she’d stayed in—Talia sighed.

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