Page 35 of Inflame Me
“Why don’t we just tell the truth? He was beating up on you, and I saved you.”
“Because you and I both know that it’s too late for that, and what the guys did …” She trails off, shaking her head.
I don’t want to think about her house blown up, either, so I change the subject. “How are you feeling, Mom?”
“Sore, but I need to wean off the pain killers, especially if the cops are coming. I need to be lucid and in control. I need to talk to Cam—Dagger to figure things out.” It’s nice that she has her head at least partially back.
“I’m gonna get our stuff together.” I stand and do just that as my mother closes her eyes and drifts off.
ONE KNOCK COMES to the door, the only warning I have before it opens wide, and Dagger walks through, strong and imposing. Even if I am his blood, he still makes me nervous.
“Cameron,” my mother says from the bed, opening her eyes.
“Dagger,” he corrects. “You guys ready?”
“We need to talk,” my mother says. Dagger crosses his arms over his chest and nods for her to continue. “If it’s Griff coming, he’s not going to stop until he finds out exactly what happened. He’s James’s partner and best friend.”
“You know I’ll do anything to protect you and Tanner.”
“I know,” she answers so honestly her eyes shine with small, unshed tears.
“Exactly. You go with the story, and everything else will fall into place.” The gruffness is still there in his voice, but there is an underlying concern there that I’m in awe of seeing. “Come on. I’m going to help you to the car, and we’re gonna lead on our bikes.”
Just then, Rhys comes in, and the room instantly becomes smaller just from his presence. He steers right to me, not even glancing at anyone else. As his arm comes around me, and he kisses me deeply, my hands move up his arm and hold on for dear life. Any protests are sucked out of me along with the air in my lungs. He pulls away from me, and I gasp, trying to suck oxygen into my deprived lungs.
“What in the hell?” my mother says, and I close my eyes. Well, guess the cat is out of the proverbial bag.
I glare at Rhys who only smirks at me in that sexy way that makes my insides quiver.
“Nothing, Mom. Let’s get us where we need to be.”
“You will talk, young lady,” my mother scolds, and I catch the faint smile and squint of Dagger’s eyes. Glad he finds this amusing, but the thing is, I will tell her. I tell her everything. Too bad she didn’t talk to me about James. We could have avoided all of this. I tap down those feelings, needing to get my shit together.
“Breaker, Tug!” Dagger yells to the open door, making me jump from the demanding sound. The two men enter the room. “Can you grab their bags?” They lift their chin then grab our very few bags. “Tanner, follow behind the bikes. Tug and Breaker will be behind you. Got me?” His brow rises as he waits for my response.
“Fine,” I say, moving away from Rhys. I don’t get far, as he again wraps that steel arm around me.
His hot breath comes to my ear. “Wait till I get you there. We have our own wing of the house.” Oh, God. “I’m gonna make you scream.”
I should deny it. I should tell him to jump off a bridge, but my body is betraying me. My body craves this man like it’s my last meal. How in the hell did that happen after a single night with him?
WHEN WE PULL up to the house, it looks more like a big warehouse turned into a house. It’s large like a building, but it has dormers and such over windows that make it look like a house. It’s like a combo deal, and it looks nice, well kept.
“This is where we are staying?” I ask Mom.
“I guess so. It’ll only be for a little bit. Once I get on my feet, we’ll figure out what we’re gonna do next.” I should be reassured by those words, but with the cops coming, I can’t help feeling anxious.
“Hopefully, everything with the cops will go well.” I believe I’m trying to reassure my mother, but in reality, I’m trying to reassure myself. It’s amazing how, one day, your life is relaxing and carefree, and then, the next, BAM! Everything is turned upside down, and you don’t know whether you’re coming or going.
I’ve been lucky. My mother has let go of the issue of Rhys and me for the time being. I know it’s only a matter of time, but I’m thankful for the reprieve. There really isn’t much I can say to her, anyways. We had sex, and that’s about the extent of it.
RHYS OPENS A door down the hallway from the living room that is a huge open space with enough chairs for an army and a huge television set. It’s definitely more than my mother and I need. Inside the door is a queen-sized bed with light blue covers with cream colored walls. It’s not small, but not extravagant. It’s actually pretty cozy.
A loud smash comes from behind me, and I jump. I’m swept up in a bridal hold, and I yelp loudly. Then I’m tossed to the bed where I bounce twice.
“What the hell?”
Rhys’s hard body comes down on mine, his weight pushing me into the mattress. I don’t have time to enjoy the feeling before his mouth comes down to mine as he commands my lips to do exactly what he wants. My lips are more than happy to follow his lead.
