Page 36 of Rage's Heart

Really? I know a guy who knows a guy?

I raised an eyebrow, unable to keep the smile from my face. “Is this legal?”

“Let’s go with... semi-legal.” He approached the padlocked gate, selecting a key. “The Kings of Anarchy own this town and everything in it. They’re friends of the club.”

That wasn’t ominous at all. And who owns a whole town?

“And they let you use this place?” I looked around at the boarded up booths. “For what?” The question slipped out before I could stop it.

Rage paused, glancing back at me with a teasing smile. “Tonight? For having fun with my woman.”

The lock clicked open, and he pushed the gate wide, gesturing for me to enter with an exaggerated bow. “After you, milady.”

I laughed, stepping through the gate. “Who are you and what have you done with Rage?” Although, I quite liked this side of him.

“Get your ass in here,” he replied, voice dropping an octave as he closed the gate behind us.

That was more like it. I liked him sweet, but I loved him bossy.

The abandoned park was eerie in the fading light. Paint was peeling from the attractions, and weeds poked through between the boards that stretched over the beach.

“This is incredible,” I breathed, turning in a slow circle to take it all in.

“Just wait,” Rage said, taking my hand and leading me down the path. “It gets better.”

We made our way past food stands and dusty game booths until we reached a power station. Rage pulled out another key and unlocked the metal box that was mounted on the pole.

“Ready for some real magic?” he asked, hand hovering over a large lever.

I nodded, feeling anticipation bubble up inside me.

With a dramatic flourish, he pulled the switch. For a split second, nothing happened. Then, one by one, lights flickered on like dominos racing down the path.

“Oh my God,” I gasped, watching as the boardwalk transform before my eyes.

Rage’s arms slid around my waist from behind, his chin resting on my shoulder. “What do you think?”

“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, leaning back against his solid chest and staring down the stretch of wooden planks that led out over the ocean. It was amazing and I couldn’t believe he’d done all of this for me.

He pressed a soft kiss to my neck. We stayed like that for a moment, taking in the magical scene. Then he spun me around to face him, eyes bright with mischief. “Want to ride a roller coaster?”

My eyes widened. “Does it still work?”

“Only one way to find out,” he challenged, already pulling me toward a weathered wooden coaster.

“Are you insane?” I laughed, nervousness mingling with excitement. “That thing might fall apart!”

“Nah, it’s solid. The Kings keep it maintained” He squeezed my hand. “Trust me?”

And despite every logical part of my brain screaming that this was a terrible idea, I did trust him. “I do.”

At the coaster platform, Rage flipped another switch, and the cart mechanism groaned to life. He helped me into the front car before sliding in beside me, pulling down the safety bar with a quick yank.

“Ready?” he asked, reaching for a button on the side panel.

I gripped the safety bar, feeling my heart kick up speed.

Shit. We were really doing this.

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