Page 21 of Aftershock's Fury

Crue

You are the only one I care about.

Me

You say the sweetest things. Well, I better get myself beautiful before you get here.

Crue

Impossible. You are already beautiful.

His sweet words make me want to change my mind about my plan last night. But I want to experience the things I haven’t had a chance to since my father was always very protective of me.

I press the phone to my chest with a sigh. Between Crue and Fezzik, I managed to keep from fully panicking last night.

By the time he gets to the house, I’m dressed in black jeans, a black graphic tee, a sweatshirt, and my heavier leather jacket over it all. I’ve got on my mid-calf, buckle-style biker boots. I pulled my hair into a tight French braid along my scalp and nape, then continued the braid down the length so it’s secure and will fit under my helmet.

When he knocks on the door, I almost jump up and freak out, but the funny looks on Kodiak’s and Romeo’s faces keep me rooted to the sofa, where Fezzik lies at my feet. He’s kept close since last night. I wish I’d had him with me. If I’d pressed the panic button, he would have been all over my attacker, and we might have had some leverage against Aaronov. But I left him home, and the man got away. The fact that he escaped so easily proves I could have been taken before anyone realized.

Shaking off the thoughts, I smile at Crue as his eyes focus on me. He’s carrying a box and walks straight toward me. His long legs are incased in black jeans. The chain on his wallet slaps against his hip as he moves. His strides are long and purposeful.

My gaze trails upward. He’s wearing a T-shirt under a half-buttoned red flannel shirt and then his cut. His muscular arms strain the sleeves, and I remember how those arms feel around me.

His dark hair is brushed back from his face, and his beard and mustache are freshly trimmed. A backward ball cap sits on his head, with a curl of hair slipping through the opening.

He has beautiful, mysterious eyes that seem to look right through me, as if he’s seeing into my soul. When I’m in the room, his focus never wavers. It’s intense, unlike anything I’ve ever felt before, and it causes me to shift slightly.

I tip my head back to look up at him. He runs his hand along my face, and I lean into his touch.

“Hello, Starlight.”

“Hello, Crue.” I let out a soft sigh and catch my bottom lip between my teeth.

“Don’t do that. Unless you want me to kiss the fuck out of you in front of your brother and Romeo.”

“Please don’t do that.” My brother chuckles.

I look down at the package in his hands. It has a big red bow on it.

“Is that for me?” I change the subject.

“Yep,” he says.

I love presents. I always have.

“I know you like presents.”

I smile up at him as I sit back down on the sofa and pull the box from his hand. He laughs and sits down next to me. I pull off the bow and lift the lid. Inside is a long strip of leather with snaps along the edges.

“It’s to hold your hair together when you’re on the back of my bike.”

It’s black, with white lily of the valley flowers stitched into it.

“I love it.” I twist around and hand it to him. “Can you snap it on?”

“Sure, baby.”

His hand drags my long braid back and carefully snaps the leather cuff around it. It also holds it against my back so it won’t move around. I pull back the tissue paper and uncover a pair of leather chaps, the same lily of the valley flowers stitched down the legs. I lift them out and admire them. I’ve never been given anything so pretty.

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