Page 12 of Riding Dirty

My brother wants to react, but Tink shakes her head as though telling him not to. There’s a struggle behind his eyes. Romeo wants to hold her. He wants to be with her. I’ve read enough books to know what this look is. Then again, maybe he’s terrified. Levi is a big man himself.

“Did he hurt you? Why are you with him?” Levi’s voice is dark and concerned.

“I took her,” Romeo says. “She was at a convention with a t-shirt advertising your shop. I used her as leverage for getting my car back.”

I must be the only sane one in the forest because there are so many holes in his story, I could strain spaghetti with it.

“You can have it!” Levi shouts, tossing him the keys. “The air filter was clogged. You should make it back to the Springs without any further problems. Your drugs are intact except for the hole we made in one of the bags. Take it and leave.”

Romeo stares at Tinker Bell, and despite the miles of space around us, the air is thick with emotion. I want to scream out for them, for her. I want them to have a happily-ever-after, but I know my speaking up will only cause more problems.

When Romeo finally breaks his gaze with Tink, he turns toward me. “I’m sorry I scared you. I’d love to get together sometime, but I think your keeper might discourage that.” He glances back toward Gunner who’s guarding me like a hungry wolf would protect his dinner.

“I absolutely fucking would,” Gunner says. “So would your people. Do the Death Rangers know you’re here?”

He shakes his head. “Figured I could get this one on my own. That, and I didn’t want to look like a fucking idiot who left the keys in the ignition of a car filled with a million dollars’ worth of drugs.”

“There’s a trailer back at the shop,” Levi continues. “I’ll hitch your bike up and you can keep it… if you promise this is the end. You stay away from Rugged Mountain and my daughter.”

Romeo drags in a heavy breath and nods, glancing toward Tink before he climbs onto his bike and rides away.

Why do I feel gutted for them?

Gunner stares down at me, patting his hands over my body like a wild man. “Did he hurt you? Are you okay?”

I hum under my breath. “Why would my brother lay a finger on me?” I give Gunner a second to calm himself. “Why don’t you guys go back to the shop and help him with the car. I’ll walk back to your house with Tink—Piper.”

Gunner grumbles. “I don’t like that. I want you by my side. You girls can catch up at the shop while we work.”

I stare up at the man I want to wrap myself up in, hoping he catches onto what I’m trying to say. “I think she and I should talk.” I tilt my head to the side. “I’m pretty sure if I follow the stream, we’ll find your house in a mile or so, right?”

Tinker Bell leaves her dad’s side and crunches over the forest floor toward me. “I’ve been back here a million times. I know how to get to your place from here, Gunner. We’ll be good.”

Levi steps toward Tink and says something low to her that I can’t hear.

My heart breaks. I saw the way she held onto Romeo, and the way he looked at her. It’s the same way Gunner and I have been looking at each other all night. At least Ihopethat’s how he’s been looking at me, because I can’t imagine not collapsing into his arms after this hellfire of a day is over with.

Gunner holds me close to his chest. “There’s a spare key behind the well. Lock yourselves inside. I’ll be back in an hour or two.” He kisses my forehead and stares down at me with something different in his eyes… a look I’ve never seen in my life. It’s warm and gentle, settling and genuine, and forces butterflies into my stomach. He leans into my ear, his voice deep and warm as he says, “You’re mine tonight, little one. You understand?”

My clit throbs and a wave of excitement breathes new life into my heart as I nod and bite back the urge to call him Daddy.

Chapter Seven

Gunner

“Little one?”Levi’s tone irritates me, though everyone’s tone is irritating me today.

“Is that a problem?”

“No. It’s strange, though. She’s pretty fucking young. You’ve had a whole life already lived. She’s just started.”

“You can’t put an age on love,” Romeo adds. He’s hovering over the trailer hitch. “You should know that, Levi. Aren’t you and your wife—”

Levi leans into Romeo, his jaw clenched. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen the guy angry with anyone. “What do you know about my wife and I?”

“Nothing.” Romeo locks the lever, tugs the straps on the wheels of his bike, and climbs into the car. Its towing capacity isn’t meant for much more than a couple thousand pounds, but he should be fine going such a short distance.

I hate that we’re not calling him in for the drugs but it’s less complicated for Millie this way and she’s my top concern.

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