Page 125 of Beautifully Shattered
Fuck, that feels like a lifetime ago now.
Vender cups Nessy’s face with a level of gentleness I never imagined him capable of, and his touch and whatever quiet words he’s whispering works to snap her out of her panic, her shoulders relaxing as she climbs into his arms.
That, I get.
She needs security. And we fucking take care of our Doxies. But when Brody and Mex step in for a group hug, I’m left even more fucking confused.
“The fuck is going on?”
“I’d say these three have done their nuts over our sweet little Nessy,” Jols says as she and Abbey help Darla limp towards us, “and decided to share her… maybe?”
“For now,” JD mutters, reaching out to take Darla from Abbey. “That’s gonna end fucking badly. Three of them can’t claim her.”
“It didn’t end badly for Rhys,” Abbey points out, watching JD and Jols lead Darla towards the steps. “She has five men to keep her happy. Seems to work for some people.”
“She’s not in a fucking MC,” JD chuckles, while my eyes narrow on my Angel as she glances back at the love triangle… or is it a love quad? Fucked if I know.
“You need more than me, Angel?” I ask because, yeah, apparently I’m fucking insecure about that shit.
Her brows arch as she looks back at me, shaking her head with a frown.
“Hell, no. You’re all the man I need.”
Fuck. I let out a breath I didn’t fucking realise I was holding on to.
“Naww, this is such a beautiful moment,” JD coos, and I fucking glare at my best mate, pointing to the open door.
“Fuck off. Let’s get the girls outta here.”
JD and Jols laugh at my expense as they help Darla off the bus, and I lead Abbey down, giving my three club brothers a fucking moment before they finally carry Nessy out.
As Nessy and Darla get loaded into one of the Marx SUVs, my Angel moves to my side, a frown creasing her brow.
“You wondering how Nessy is going to handle those three guys?” I chuckle, but she shakes her head, her big doe eyes flicking up to mine.
“Idon’t understand why they are here,” she says, gesturing subtly towards Riggs. “This is a club thing, not amething.”
“You’re here in a dangerous situation, so they are here.” I shrug.
“So they are like my bodyguards? Even for club business?”
“Yes.” I nod, watching her frown twist into anger.
“Ringo, we need to talk about this arrangement. I know you said it’s not a financial cost, but the cost to you has to be huge. I don’t want to think about what you’ll owe them after this is over,” she snaps, jutting her thumb towards Riggs. “Tell them to stand down. Now.”
“Nope,” I mutter, starting towards the Landy.
“But—”
“No, Angel,” I cut her off, yanking open the car door for her. “It’s not up for negotiation.”
“But—”
“Look, now’s not the time for this conversation,” I snap, turning to reach for my door.
In my periphery, sudden movement bursts from the bushes, and I’m reaching for my gun again. By the time my eyes lock onto the Rebel, his gun aimed at me, it’s too late… the loud crack is deafening as the gun explodes with a flash.
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