Page 104 of Beautifully Wounded

“What’s going on?” I ask timidly, unsure if it’s any of my business.

“JD, make sure the men are ready to leave in three fucking minutes. We’ll take the tradie vans to avoid attention.”

JD nods before spinning on his heel and disappearing, and Ringo comes to me, lowering to one knee as he takes my hand.

“That noise you heard. That was an alert from one of our warehouses. It means something is wrong, and I need to go and check it out.”

“Wrong? What sort of wrong?” I grip his fingers tighter, suddenly not wanting to let him go.

“It’s happened a few times during lockdowns. Street gangs trying to break in to steal from us. It’s nothing to worry about.” Even as he says this, he drops my hand and pulls his gun out from the back waistband of his jeans and checks it for something. Maybe bullets? I didn’t even know he had a gun on him.

“If it’s nothing to worry about, why do you have that?” I ask, my tone kind of snappy.

Those dark eyes of his dart up to meet mine and a sinister smirk spreads his lips wider. “I have this, because whoever has dared to fuck with the Southern Sadists is about to be the ones to worry.”

Then he shoots me a wink before leaning forward and pressing his lips to my forehead.

Oh.

It’s not exactly the kiss I’d been hoping for, but it makes me feel just as cherished, in a non-sexual way, the simple act warming the inside of my chest, so much so that I’m reminded of how long it’s been since someone has truly cared for me in such a way.

Not that Ringo cares. Because he probably doesn’t. But the action is something I haven’t received from anyone since before everything went down with Daniel.

As he stands, I notice Jols watching on, a small grin lighting her face, which she hides the moment Ringo turns to face her.

“You got this?” he asks her and she nods.

“Always. You leaving the usual men behind?” Jols asks before another body fills the doorway.

“Sarg. Lewy can’t access the cameras at any of our warehouses.”

“Fuck,” Ringo barks as the man I know as Murf glances at me and nods.

“Hey, Charity.”

“H-hey,” I stutter, confused by everything that’s happening.

“Ringo!” The booming voice comes from out in the courtyard right before Murf shifts out of the way and Smitty, the President charges in. “Tell me you have a fucking plan.”

“The same as last time, only we take the tradie vans.”

Smitty growls. “I hate having to fucking hide like that.”

“It’s not hiding. It’s being smart while the lockdown is on. A group of guys riding motorcycles through the nearly dead streets will draw everyone’s attention right now. But plumbers are an essential service for emergency repairs. Even if the vans are seen, no one will think twice. Besides, the vans allow us to carry extra weapons.” Ringo smirks and slowly, the furious glare on the President’s face turns to a smirk.

“Let’s round ‘em up, Sarg.”

Smitty and Murf charge out the door at their President’s words like they are on a mission, leaving Ringo and Jols behind.

“The prospects will remain here, as will Stocky, Barts and Tucker,” Ringo tells Jols and she nods.

“Go. I’ll look after her.” Jols reassures him, and he nods before turning back to me.

“I’ll be as fast as I can. Stay out of my drawers.” He shoots me a pointed look and my cheeks flare to life at his silent dig at me finding his sex toy last time I snooped.

Then he smirks and leaves the room.

Standing, I follow Jols just outside the door to watch the hordes of men, all wearing black leather vests much like Ringo’s, carrying guns, some checking them over as they disappear through the door that leads to the underground garage.

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