Page 17 of Ruthless Malice

“You don’t have to go. You can stay here for a while, can’t she, Slash?”

Fiona swished her head toward Slash, who nods effortlessly. “Sure can. No problem at all.”

“We can work things out. Get you out of the police station,” she says.

“I might be of better use on the inside. Maybe I can monitor Sheriff Hunter for you.”

“I think we got it covered with him. Bull sent that tape through, shutting that shit down. Speaking of the bull himself, he’s on his way over. Me and Fiona are going to leave you two to talk it out. Remember what I said.” Slash winks before they slip off, but my self-esteem is already shot to pieces.

Bull hovers by my seat, awkwardly pointing at the table. “Hey Lily, can I slip in here and talk to you for a minute?”

“I was about to leave.”

“Don’t leave. Please. I want to get some things off my chest and it’s important. You might not believe me, but I have to come clean on a lot of things.”

“I don’t think we can come back from this, Bull. I heard what Slash said, and I don’t think he’s a liar.”

Bull’s calculating eyes connect with mine, and the voice of Slash rings through my eardrums.“He’s conniving… keep doing what you’re doing.”I don’t want to give him anymore satisfaction to let him know he’s hurt me.

“We can, and I’m willing to wear the consequences of whatever that means for us.” I say nothing, but that’s enough for him to see I’m letting him speak. He quickly slips into the seat next to me.

“I originally saw you as leverage,” he started. His speech is slurred; a shame lies behind it as his fingers twiddle over the top of one another. He reaches for mine, but I pull back. Once I’ve put my hand in the frying pan, I don’t want to put them in again. It’s the same weak apologies that my father used to make during his hangover phases.

“I’m sorry Lily, they fucked things up at work. Can you make your father some eggs and toast? My head is pounding. I love you so much. Thank you for putting up with my bullshit. I’m a bastard, I know.”

I would always forgive him and let him do it again and again, like a glutton for punishment. I drag myself out of the past and into the present. Bull’s ashen face is locked onto mine.

“Once I got to know you… I couldn’t continue to fuck you over. And yes, you remind me every bit of Merrie.” His thickened hands rise to rake through his salt and pepper locks for a minute. I hate the reaction my body has at his movements. He still can give me butterflies in my stomach.

“I didn’t know how incredible of a person you were the day I met you at the Sheriff’s department. As I got to know you, I realized I could never use you in that way. It may have been selfish but I didn’t just want you as some leverage for the club anymore. No, I wanted you all for myself... for whatever time I have left in this life. Can’t be that long. I don’t know if you’ll accept my offer, but that’s God’s truth about what I want. I’m begging to spend it with you Lily. You make me feel refreshed with life. I can breathe again; I can be me. There was a part of me that was lost in those wars. Hell, when I lost Merrie. You’re the one for me. I’m not chasing ass out here. You gotta know that…” He looks at me, and my stoic approach flies out the window because I’m in love with him. I can’t help how I feel inside. “All because you came into my life, I feel as much at home as you do.”

“I wish I didn’t love you, but I do,” I tell him, swiping the tears from my face. “Bull, never treat me like that again. I’ve gone through enough in my life. I can’t deal with the shit anymore. I won’t.”

Bull rounds the table, gathering me up into his arms. “I want to take care of you, Lily. You don’t have to worry anymore. I love you.”

Bull’s eyes show me he loves me. All the doubts melt and the red flags disappear. Bull’s mouth crushes into mine, probing for my tongue. His hot mouth, coupled with the bristles from his mustache and beard, make me feel right at home. I could be with Bull until the end. We have whatever time he has left and that’s fine by me. I let our heartfelt reunion sweep me away. Finally, a man I could trust with my whole heart….

BANG, BANG!A loud, invasive knock on the warehouse door startles me out of sync from Bull’s lips. Shock and a stunned heart beating fast invoke me into panic mode. The loud banging continues, and the Dark Angels crew come together from all ends of the warehouse to find out why the banging is going on.

“Sounds like the fucking cops. Holy shit. I thought I sorted that shit out,” Bull seethes.

Chapter Nine : Take a Vote

Bull

I’m fucked off now. Whoever’s banging on at the warehouse door is ruining my happy moment with Lily. That sound is one I know all too well. If I’m not mistaken, it sounds like a cop. Only cops pound on a fucking door like that. The only other time I’d heard that sound was when the cartel came knocking.

Slash, the Mr. Big Shot of the club, races into the fire and is already at the front. Loud screams add to the mix now, and it’s time to move.

“Do you think it’s the cops, Bull?” Lily’s panicked expression has me land a soft kiss on those sexy-ass lips.

“At first, I thought it was, but it can’t be. Sheriff Hunter’s not about to put his job on the line. Nah, baby girl, this is something else. Let me see what’s up. Sit tight. I don’t want you in the firing line.”

“Be careful,” she says, and I smile back at her. It’s the same catch phrase Merrie said to me before I went to ride out back in the day.

“No need. I got a handle on it.” I storm to the front and Slash is losing his fucking mind.

“Bull, you motherfucker, get your ass out here now!” Slash is red in the face, and for me it’s about time I teach this young in a lesson in humility. I’m about to smash his face in the ground.

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