Page 70 of Sweet Anarchy

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that again," he says, laying back on the bed and dragging me with him. "Now, are you really going to deny me sex or can I perhaps change your mind with my tongue?"

I pull open the front door, my smile lighting up from ear to ear. "Butch!"

"Hiya, Lee," he says warmly, stepping inside. "I heard about what happened."

I close the door behind him, grimacing. "Nothing stays secret for long around here. Let me guess… Chuck? Mack? Volts?"

Butch chuckles. "Several people, actually. Everyone knows about it. We're not surprised they torched Wheels. The Norsemen wanted to make a statement."

"It's really sad," I say. "I loved that place."

"Me too," he replies, looking up at the sound of footsteps.

Chuck gives him a nod, walking over and shaking his hand. "Hey, Butch. Are you feeling okay now?"

"Better than ever," Butch confirms. "Mack sent me over to check on you. And you," he says, looking down at me.

"I think we're proving we're tougher than we look," I joke.

Chuck stands behind me, pulling me against him as he wraps his arms around me protectively. "You are tough," he says. "But that should never have happened."

Butch nods. "The fact they were willing to kill someone proves they need to be stopped. I trust you received the club information from Mack."

"Yeah," he confirms. "We're going to take Rylee out soon to show her how to shoot."

I stiffen, looking back at him. "Shoot? A gun?"

He nods. "That's right. Just in case."

I let out a dry laugh. "Look, I totally understand the whole 'we need to stop them' thing. But I'm not going to be able to shoot someone."

Butch folds his arms, tilting his head as he looks at me closely. "It's not for you to kill anyone, Lee. It's to protect yourself. I think it's a good idea."

"Me too."

The three of us look over at the voice, Blake walking in from the kitchen.

"You're okay with it?" I ask him.

He stops in front of us, nodding. "It was my idea. We're going to go out the back to the meadow. Asher is coming too. Both of you need to be prepared. Pepper spray is only going to get you so far now."

"How's your brother?" Butch asks Blake.

"He's fine," Blake replies coolly. "Nothing fazes him. Not even a concussion or nearly being turned into a pile of ash."

Butch smiles, turning back to me. "At least you're in good company, kiddo."

"Did you bring it?" Blake asks him.

"Bring what?" I repeat.

Butch reaches into his leather jacket, my eyes widening as I stumble back into Chuck as he pulls out a gun of some type.

"Oh, we've progressed to guns as gifts," I joke.

"It's for you," Butch laughs, handing it to Blake. "An extra weapon is handy to have."

I look at Blake accusingly, my mind connecting the dots that he orchestrated this. "I'm not keeping that thing in my pocket."

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