Page 53 of Enforcing the Rules

“You should keep it with you.”

“Why?”

“Because of creeps like those two on the street. What’s the deal with them, by the way? Tell me the truth.”

“I can’t tell you that. Maybe someday, but not now. Please, just trust me. It has nothing to do with you.”

“Trust is hard to win and easy to lose. Remember that.”

“It’s also a two-way street, Utah.”

I let out a long sigh. She was right about that. There was a lot I hadn’t shared either; a lot I couldn’t share. But that was the MC life. I knew all too well there would always be things I couldn’t tell her, but the ways of the MC were all new to her. I handled this badly. I ran a hand through my hair, wondering how to fix this. “I should get you a gun. Teach you how to use it. I’d feel better. Especially with you livin’ here. And I’m fixing that lock.”

I guess that was my way of apologizing, though the words stuck in my throat. Guess she figured that out, because she walked to me and slid her palms up my bare chest. Her fingertips followed the inked design of the club’s emblem.

“Can we stop fighting now?” she whispered.

“You gonna let it go that I went through your purse?” I bumped foreheads with her, my hands still at my sides. I was a stubborn son of a bitch, and so I kept myself from reaching for her.

She tilted her head to meet my eyes. “If you can let it go that I’m a Bond Enforcement Agent.”

I lifted my hands to her waist and pulled her against me. “You are full of surprises, woman. A badass. That’s what you are. I’ve got a real badass on my hands.”

“Hardly.”

“You got a bullet-proof vest?”

“Yep.”

“Mace?”

“Yep. And handcuffs.”

I grinned and cupped her face. “Now we’re talkin’.” Then I dragged her mouth to mine. I devoured her and walked her backward, breaking only when her legs hit the bed. “Know the best part about fighting?”

“Make up sex?”

“Exactly.” The bed bounced as we fell onto it.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Kate—

I’d left work early to go see Bill in the hospital. When I walked into the room, Patty was sitting in the chair next to his bed. The television was on, but he was asleep. The ashen look had left his skin, and he looked so much better.

Patty stood and walked out of the room with me, closing the door softly.

“Sorry. He finally fell asleep, and I don’t want to wake him. There’s a couch at the end of the hall. Let’s talk there.”

As we strolled toward it, I studied the lines around her eyes. “You look exhausted. Do you need me to stay with him and give you a break?”

“I’ll be fine. My sister’s coming to give me a break to go home and take a shower.”

“How is he doing?”

She nodded. “Good. The doctors are very positive. The procedure went well, and he’s responding to their expectations.”

“That’s wonderful. I’m so glad.”

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