And God help me, I wanted her, too.
-
At the garage the next day, I worked harder than usual.My hands tore through engines like they were therapy, and the noise of metal clattered loud enough to drown out thought.
But not enough.
Nothing could drown out her.
Every time I bent over a bike, I remembered the way she’d bent toward me.Every time a tool slipped in my hand, I remembered her grip on my chest like she could anchor me even when I didn’t want to be anchored.
“Wolf.”
Tremor’s voice snapped me back.He stood a few feet away and watched me with that hawk’s stare that always cut too deep.
“You’re slipping,” he said flatly.
My jaw clenched.“I’m working.”
“You’re distracted.”
I wiped my hands on a rag, stepping closer.“You got something you want to say, brother?”
He didn’t flinch.“Yeah.Whatever it is between you and that girl, it’s gonna cost us.”
The words landed sharp.
I leaned in, my voice a low growl.“You let me worry about her.”
“She shouldn’t be anywhere near the club.”
“She’s mine.”The words came too fast and hard, before I could choke them back.
And Tremor saw it.The truth.The slip.
His smirk was humorless.“Then you better be ready to bleed for her.”
He walked away and left me with nothing but the echo of his warning and the weight of the truth I couldn’t deny.
I already was.
By evening, I couldn’t take it anymore.
I found myself outside her building again like a dog on a leash.Like I had no choice.
Her light was on.
I should’ve left.Should’ve walked away before I made this worse.
Instead, I climbed the stairs and knocked.
She opened the door a moment later with her hair messy from where she’d been running her hands through it.
“Really?”she asked.“You here to kiss me and then tell me you hate me?”
I shoved my hands into my pockets and leaned against the doorframe like I had every right to be there.“Yes.That’s why I’m here.”
Her brow furrowed.“That makes zero sense.”