Page 23 of The Night Ride
“I don’t want you either, sweetheart.”A total bald-faced lie.After all this time, I still wanted her.There wasn’t a day that had passed in the last five years when I hadn’t thought about her or remembered the small slice of time we had together.The night had been legendary even though our time had been temporary.I tried to forget her in the arms of other women, but none of it had helped.I looked for her, for the same traits she had in other women and never found them.
Because she was one of a kind.I’d known it that night and still knew it now.She wasn’t thefor a good time calltype of woman, she was theonce in a lifetime, will never find another who’s betterkind.
“But I’m staying and finishing the mission.”
“I can kick you out.”She threatened with her hands on her glorious hips.I could recall precisely how we’d lined up on the dance floor and how the gentle sway of her hips felt against mine.
“You can.But I’m not leaving this city nor leaving you to find the thief on your own.I’ll complete the last mission your brother sent me on and that’s that.”
In her eyes, her disdain blared for all and sundry to view.
Before she could disagree, I barreled over any objections.“You can hate me all you want but I’m not leaving until the job is done.”
We glared at one another, having a wordless argument because she was too refined to yell at me in front of Wyatt and Lucas and broadcast our history.When she realized I would never back down, she finally rolled her eyes.“Fine.We’ll have a chat about the cameras, tomorrow.I’m not doing this tonight.”
She walked over to Wyatt.“It was good of you guys to come.”And she hugged Wyatt and Lucas.But she avoided me like I had leprosy and exited the kitchen without a backward glance.
We’d have plenty of time to discuss things.I wasn’t letting this go.She could be pissed all she wanted over the way we left things.Much of it was my fault.But to be clear, she never stated she was Evan’s sister that night.A man couldn’t be faulted because she looked different.Of course, I remembered meeting her years prior, but the siren I met at the bar hadn’t looked a thing like the girl I met when I went home with Evan that one time.
“You sure you want to stay behind?She doesn’t seem to like you much,” Wyatt asked, scratching his head.
“I can stay if you don’t want to, because you’re right, we need to make sure she’s protected.Evan would want us to make it so.”Lucas glanced down the hall where Beth had just been with far too much male interest.
I bit back the snarl that wanted to claw its way free.Lucas might be one of the best guys I knew, but he wasn’t good for Beth.No one was good enough for her—not even me.
But I’d be damned if I would allow a dude that gets pussy whenever he wanted it to try it with her.She deserved far better than that.
“I’m staying and don’t fucking argue with me,” I chewed him out.
Wyatt raised a brow, which was as emotional as the guy ever fucking got.Lucas whipped his head in my direction and cast a smirk.
“You can’t tell me that you don’t think Evan’s sister is smoking hot.”
I’d never wanted to pummel Lucas more.And it took everything inside me not to do precisely that.“Careful, you don’t get to think of her that way.”
“I call ‘em like I see them.”
Forget it.Maybe I would pound his ass into the dirt.“You aren’t to look at her with anything but respect from here on out or I’ll make you regret it.”
“Yeah?You and what army?”Lucas puffed up his chance, his stance at the ready for a coming attack.
“Let’s not forget I whoop you in PT every time.I can still take your ass down.”
Lucas appeared like he was going to charge me.
Wyatt stepped between us and placed a firm hand on each of our chests.“Enough.Lucas, go for a ride.I’d like to speak to Aiden.”
Lucas growled.Shot Wyatt a glare and had a pissing match.But everyone knew that Wyatt would pull rank when push came to shove.Then he glanced skyward inhaling a deep breath.“Fine.I’ll be back in an hour, fuckers.”
Lucas stormed out.I didn’t want to leave it like this.But I would protect Beth from him.He would only leave her broken-hearted.I’d protect her from any man who meant her harm in any way.
“What the hell was that all about?”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Don’t bullshit me or make me pull rank.You’ve got about five seconds to explain why you’re acting territorial.”Stone faced Wyatt stared me down with rabid determination.He’d pummel the truth out of me if he had to.And there’s a startlingly good chance he would win, because the fucker was just that good in a fight.
“I owe it to Evan.And Lucas was looking at her like she was his next conquest.”
