Page 34 of Bee

"What the hell do you mean you told me to stay upstairs? Do I look like a dog to you?" I cross my arms over my chest and glare at him. He's going to learn and quick that I can't be forced to do anything I don't want to do.

"Goddamn it Bee. I don't know if they're going to come back or what. You don't need to be here right now." He grabs hold of my arm as if he's about to tow me back upstairs but I'm not having it. I yank my arm away and take a few steps back from him.

"And how does me being upstair help you? You think you can take on the group of them on your own?" I stare at him.

"I didn't ask for your help!" he bellows in my direction. He's so loud I swear I feel the hairs that frame my face blow back.

I don't let his volume deter me. If he wants to act like a bear I'm going to let him.

"You may not have asked for it, but that doesn't mean you don't need it. What you're seeming to forget right now is I've been in these kinds of situations before. I know what it's like to be in danger. I'm not scared, Rye. I'm not scared, and I'm not just going to run and hide like some victim. I'm going to help you. Now, get the fuck over yourself and help me get this place straightened up before you lose a toe or some shit." I gesture down to his still bare feet, and he looks down.

He opens his mouth once but then snaps it shut before be throws his head back and roars in absolute frustration.

I'll let him do what he has to do but in no way does that mean I'm going to leave him here to deal with this himself.

"You're so damn aggravating."

"Look in the mirror, big boy, you're not sweet as pie either." I reach down and grab the edge of one of the tables. It's a lot heavier than I thought it was going to be.

Rye huffs another frustrated sigh before he comes over to where I am and helps me pick it up. "If they show back up you're out of here, do you hear me? I don't care what kind of experience you have. I'm not going to allow you to be in danger while I'm around." His voice is softened, and I know in that second all the anger was just a front for his fear.

"If they come back we're out of here together. This place is just stuff, your life isn't worth this." I reach my hand up and caress his cheek once softly before we get back to cleaning up.

Thankfully they don't come back for the rest of the night, and I would know because I spent the rest of the night helping Rye clean up the place. He boarded up the windows as best he could, but there was no way he'd be able to open the next night.

Finally, when we were able to sit, Rye lifts my leg into his lap and begins to massage my calf. My eyes roll back instantly. It's like the man's hands are made of gold.

"I'm sorry that this mess interrupted our time together. You shouldn't have to deal with this." He says softly.

At least I think that's what he said, my mind is already floating from the awesome massage.

"Hmm, no... I mean, don't worry about it. It's not your fault, unless you're admitting to me that you planned this for the insurance money?" I look up at him with a smile on my face. Hopefully a joke will break the tension.

"I wish... no, this isn't going to be over with a simple insurance claim." He takes a deep breath and reaches for my other leg, but I pull it away before he can take it.

"Wait... What do you mean this isn't going to be over? I didn't want to pry before, but I'm assuming this has something to do with that stand-off I walked in on earlier?" It's time to get some answers.

"Yeah, unfortunately."

"Well, who is this Evan person and why is he doing this?"

He shakes his head and gets up from the chair, "No, Bee, you're not going to take my problems on your own. I'll figure this out on my own. You're not the only person who's had to experience fucked up shit before. I'll be fine."

"Would you stop with that macho man bullshit. I'm sure you will figure it out on your own. I'm sure you'll put your blood sweat and tears into finding a solution, but I also know that if you let me and my club help you, we can find a solution faster and easier." I stand and get closer to him.

"What the hell? When did your club get in the picture?"

"Are you kidding me? This is what we do? We protect people. Especially if they are important to us."

"Bee..." I can hear the aggravation in his voice. He doesn't want me to be part of this problem, but I already am. If it has anything to do with him, then I'm involved.

"Stop fighting me. I thought we were past that." I say softer and slowly wrap my arms around him. If I can't catch the bear with honey, I'm not sure what else I can do. Thankfully, the moment my arms wrap around him, I can feel him softening. He really is a big teddy bear.

"You really are going to be the death of me, aren't you?" He whispers back.

"No, I don't think so, unless you continue to think of me as some helpless little girl. I was more than ready to show you justhow much I can take when we were up in your room." I add on seductively, and his chest rumbles with a soft growl.

I move back before we get too carried away. With Rye, I know it's only one touch away from the both of us exploding and him taking me right here on one of the tables. We've got work to do.

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