Page 94 of Cold Hard Truth

“Look around, Kane. It’s a shitshow. Not to mention, it could be any one of them.” My gaze moves around theroom. “Be pissed all you want, but we both know she’s still safer in the city with me than anywhere else.”

“They’re watching her.”

“They were watching her in Denver too.” I drop my voice low so no one can hear us. “But you trusted me to keep her safe because you know I will. No one is going to hurt her. I guarantee it.”

I’m probably giving myself away, but I don’t care. Lyla isn’t going to stay at the clubhouse, and I’m not giving her back to him when I can’t even trust him to keep an eye on her.

“Be careful, Sage.” Kane grabs the drink the bartender slides his way. “I don’t give third chances.”

“I’m aware.” I’ve helped him bury the bodies proving that statement true. “Where is she?”

Kane tips his head, and I glance down the bar to see her sitting at the other end, surrounded by people.

“Thanks.”

Steel and Kane turn toward the bar, and I make my way in Lyla’s direction.

She’s laughing at something the bartender said, and it’s so bright and beautiful it might be the resurrection of my soul. One laugh and I know this is going to end with me six feet under. I’m going to either take a bullet for this girl or because of her, and I don’t give a fuck.

Stopping behind her, Brandi notices me first. Her red hair is down, and she flips it over her shoulder.

“Hi, Sage.” Brandi winks at me.

Lyla spins around at Brandi saying my name. She leans her elbows back on the bar to face me, which pulls herblue top tight over her perfect tits. She’s in jeans and a T-shirt with her hair tied up in a messy ponytail. There’s barely any makeup on her face, and she’s absolutely perfect.

“Yes,hi, Sage.” Lyla bites the corner of her lip, mocking Brandi’s tone even if Brandi doesn’t seem to notice.

“You ready to go?”

“Aww, the party was just getting started.” Lyla pouts. “You’re no fun.”

Brandi leans closer to her. “That’s not what I’ve heard.”

Lyla narrows her gaze at Brandi’s unhelpful comment.

“Come on.” I tip my head to the door, and Lyla lifts off her stool at the bar.

The moment she does, I grab her hand and hopefully Kane doesn’t notice. But I can’t fucking help it. I don’t like how every biker we pass looks at her like they’d like to get a piece.

We step outside, and Blaze is still standing on the porch, smoking another cigarette. His gaze drops to Lyla’s hand in mine as he chuckles.

Lyla doesn’t miss it as she presses her body close and wraps her arm around mine while we walk toward my bike.

“Sure you want to leave so soon, Sage?” She rubs my arm up and down. “Brandi and her friend were just telling me their plans for you if you showed up tonight. Sounded very eventful.”

“Keep it up, Lyla.” I hand her a helmet and climb onto my bike, holding my hand out for her. “I’d love an excuse to shut you up.”

She’s quiet, but she doesn’t drop her devious smile as she takes my hand and climbs on the back of my bike. Because my girl plays dirty, and she’s probably hoping I’ll make good on my threat.

My girl.

I’m really starting to like the sound of that.

30

Sage

Lyla’s warm chest pressesagainst my back. She heats the space around me while the cool air whips at my face. Her fingers grip my leather jacket as she wraps herself tighter around me. And on this straight shot of road, I drop my hand to her thigh and rub my palm along it.

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