Page 46 of Rage's Heart

“Maybe.” I leaned against the wall, cracking a smile despite the shit storm we’d just been through. “It fits.”

Mac snapped the kit closed, exhaling slowly as she peeled off the latex gloves.

Dread, who was pulling himself to his feet with Zero’s help, snorted. “You did a good job, babe. Next time you’ll be a fuckin’ pro.”

Mac squeezed her eyes closed as she shook her head. “Let’s try to avoid a next time.”

“I’ll do my best.” Dread shot her a wink as Zero led him out, leaving just the two of us in the room.

I was waiting for the emotions I was sure she was holding back to explode out of her, for her to tell me she was done with me and all of this shit. And that being with me was more than she bargained for. Hell, I’d been half-expecting her to demand I take her home the second the shooting stopped.

Instead, she crossed the room and sank against my chest as her arms wound tightly around my waist.

“Are you alright?” she asked, voice muffled from her face being smooshed against my chest.

My brows hit my hairline. She was asking me, if I was okay?

Fuck. I really didn’t deserve her.

I snaked my arms around her back and pulled her in even tighter. “I’m fine, baby. Not a scratch on me.”

She tilted her head back, her blue eyes searching mine as moisture gathered along her lashes. “You could have been killed.”

My heart dropped into my gut. “Don’t cry, babe. I’m fine. Everyone is okay.”

Her fingers clutched at my shirt as the first rear fell. “This is real, isn’t it? This is your life.”

And there it was. This was it. She was going to walk away and never look back.

Holding her stare, I gave her the truth. “Yeah, Mac. This is my life.”

Her tired eyes dared back and forth between mine and she then to my complete shock she nodded her beautiful head. “Okay.”

It was that single word of acceptance that damn near took me to my ass. “You sure you can live with this? With me? My life?” I pressed my forehead to hers as I continued to stare into her eyes.

She smiled faintly. “I can’t breathe without you.”

The adrenaline crash was coming. I could feel it in the way her body sagged heavier against mine. “Let’s get you upstairs. You need to rest.”

Without putting up a fight, she let me lead her through the clubhouse toward the stairs where every officer had a bedroom. Chief caught my eye as we passed, giving me a curt nod. I nodded back. There was a lot to discuss but first my woman needed to be taken care of.

I guided Mac up the stairs to my room at the end of the hall. I rarely stayed here, preferring to sleep in my bed at home.

“Here, baby.” Unlocking the door, I pressed at the small of her back for her to go ahead inside. The room was simple. A queen-sized bed with dark sheets, a dresser, a small TV I never watched, and not much else.

Mac stood in the doorway for a moment, her eyes fixed on the bed, a frown on her face.

“What’s wrong?” I shut the door behind us.

She hesitated, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. “Nothing.”

“Bullshit, babe.” I stepped closer, tipping her chin up with my finger. “Talk to me.”

Her eyes darted away before meeting mine again. “Foxy said something to me earlier…”

I nodded my head. I knew they’d been chatting. “She say something that upset you?”

“She told me about the club... about how things work.” Mac’s voice was quiet, almost hesitant. “About old ladies and... other women.”

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