Page 32 of Ruger's Rage

"There's a little park two blocks over. Unless you had someplace else in mind?"

I shake my head, falling into step beside him.

We walk in silence for a minute, and I keep the gap between us, just the way I want it to be.

"You know," he says finally, "for someone who barely knows me, you seem to have a lot of opinions about who I am."

"I could say the same about you."

He chuckles, the sound warm and unexpected. "Fair enough. So let's fix that." He gestures between us. "Ask me anything. I'll tell you the truth."

"Anything?"

"Within reason. Club business has limits."

I consider this as we reach the small neighborhood park.

It's mostly empty—a few mothers with strollers, an old man feeding pigeons.

We settle on a bench under a maple tree, dappled sunlight playing across his features.

The irony strikes me—this dangerous-looking man in leather and denim, sitting peacefully in a family park in the middle of a weekday.

My question bursts out before I can reconsider. "Why did you exile your uncle instead of killing him?"

If he's shocked by my directness, he doesn't show it. "Family," he answers simply. "No matter what he did, he's my blood. My father's brother."

"I thought club justice was absolute."

"It is. But I get to decide what justice looks like." He turns slightly toward me. "Death would have been easier, maybe cleaner. But I couldn't do that to my father's memory."

His honesty hits me in the chest.

It's the opposite of what Marco would have done, who lied even when the truth would have served him better.

"Do you regret it now?"

"Sometimes. He's causing trouble again, is likely working with the Vultures."

I freeze. "The Grim Vultures, right?"

Any time I hear their name, my stomach drops.

He nods, watching my reaction carefully. "Yeah."

"Every time I hear that name, I feel sick," I admit. "It reminds me of part of why I left Pittsburgh."

Understanding dawns in his expression. "That's why you're jumpy. Not just running from a bad relationship—running from dangerous men."

"Yes."

The simple admission hangs between us. I've never said it so plainly before, not even to Ellie.

"And now I'm another dangerous man in your life," he says quietly.

"Are you in my life?"

His eyes find mine, serious and intent. "I'd like to be. If you'll let me."

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