Page 40 of Burned in Stone
They mean family.
They mean I’m worth fighting for.
I’ve never had that before.
If I’m wrong about this, it’ll ruin me. But if I’m right?
Then maybe Ifinallyget to stop running.
15
CASH
Ishoulder the door, eyes gritty from spreadsheets and receipts, and stop dead.
Mercy’s sprawled across my sheets in my T-shirt and her cutoffs, bare legs crossed, idly thumbing through one of my bike magazines.
“This is quite the collection of literature you’ve got here,” she says without looking up, holding up the magazine to show a centerfold of a blonde in a bikini draped over a custom Harley. “Very intellectual. I’m learning so much about... carburetors.”
“Those are Duck’s,” I lie, moving into the room. “He leaves them everywhere.”
“Mm-hmm.” She flips the page. “And I suppose Duck also dog-eared the page with the redhead in leather chaps?”
“That was research.”
“Research.” She finally looks up, green eyes sparkling with mirth. “Into what? Aerodynamics?”
“Exactly.” I sit on the edge of the bed, unable to stop myself from running my hand up her bare leg. “How the female form affects wind resistance.”
She laughs, tossing the magazine aside. “You’re ridiculous.”
“You’re in my bed.”
“Technically, I’monit.” She stretches like a cat, my shirt riding up to show a strip of skin that makes my mouth water. “Is that a problem, biker?”
I shake my head and feign outrage. “Serious violation of house policy. Beds are for sleeping, or very specific approved recreational activities.”
She laughs and sits up. “Guess you’ll have to cite me, then,” she says, eyes steady on mine. “I’m not really afraid of the management.”
I snort. “You should be.”
“Well, I’m not. Not anymore, anyway.”
Her words take me by surprise. “You were afraid of me?”
She shakes her head. “No. I mean, I probably should have been. The MCdoeshave a reputation. But it always made me feel safe.Youalways made me feel safe.”
“Then what were you afraid of?”
“Us,” she answers immediately. “I was afraid of what he’d do if he saw I’d moved on.”
“Gabriel?”
She nods. “I knew he was keeping tabs on me, and I know what he’s capable of. I didn’t want to drag you into my shit.”
“Angel—”
“No. I need to tell you this.” She pulls her knees up to her chest, making herself smaller. “I thought I was being so smart, you know? Working at Devil’s, being close enough to the MC that people would see me as under your protection but not actually beingwithanyone. I figured Gabriel would keep his distance if he thought I was surrounded by dangerous bikers.”
