Page 95 of Cold Hard Truth

She feels like she’s always belonged right here.

On the back of my bike and against my skin.

I’m not a man of faith. I don’t read the stars like she does. I don’t believe in horoscopes or fortunes. But there’s no peace unless Lyla is beside me, so that’s got to mean something.

The road is nearly empty this far outside the city, and I take a turn before we hit the main highway back to LA.

Lyla rests her head against my back, sinking against me. Her hands rub over my stomach, and I squeeze her thigh, rolling the motorcycle to a stop.

When I cut the engine and hold my hand out, she takes it, and I climb off after her.

“What are we doing out here?”

“Taking a minute.” I slip off my helmet and hang it from the handlebars before reaching for hers.

The moment I pull it off, her black hair sticks out in all directions from the static. She smooths her fingers over it, but like her, it’s impossible to tame.

“Why didn’t you wait for me to take you to the clubhouse?” I ask, setting her helmet aside.

She tucks her hands into the pockets of her leather jacket, squeezing it closed. “The same reason you found Kane before coming to find me.”

“Still, I can’t keep you safe if you run off.”

“Even with this?” She rubs the choker.

Hooking my finger under it, I pull her closer to me. “This doesn’t actually do anything except tell me where the fuck you are. It doesn’t stop someone from hurting you.”

“And who wants to hurt me, Sage?” She tips her chin up. “The man responsible for killing Ellie?”

My teeth clench, and she shakes her head.

“Yeah, booze makes people talk; I heard what they were saying. You lured me out because whoever was responsible for taking us back then has returned, right?”

“I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do.” She shoves my hand aside and takes a step back. “Lying to me won’t keep me safe.”

“You think I don’t know that?” I grind my teeth. “Trust me, you don’t want to know all the shit I do.”

“What are you protecting me from? I was there, Sage. I know what they’re capable of. Still, you think I can’t handle it?”

“I don’t know if you can.” My voice raises, and I hate that it makes her jump, but she’s asking for shit she doesn’t understand.

I’m not even sure why we started fighting, just that there’s so much shit between us, that each time one of us pulls out a shovel, we unearth a whole new pile of crap.

“Well, for your information, I can handle it.” She faces off with me. “I’ve handled more than you can imagine these past eight years.”

“Lyla—” I wipe my hand over my face, then take a step toward her, grabbing her chin. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

She wraps her hand around my wrist, taking a step closer. “Then don’t lie to me.”

She doesn’t know what she’s asking for. But her violet eyes blink up at me, almost a shade of blue in the darkness, and I can’t fight her anymore. I’m tired. I’m over it. And the more she hates me, the more I hate myself.

“A couple of nights before you showed up at Twisted Roses, Kane got a message on his doorstep.” I brush my thumb over her lip. “One of his prospects, dead. He had a message carved on his chest. And—” I swallow hard, my words drying in my throat.

“Just say it.”

“And Ellie’s ear in his pocket.”

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