Page 53 of Desert Heat

“Whose Rogan?” Brandi wondered, rubbing her head as if she misheard due to her injuries.

“His real name, I’m betting.” Savvy hissed, still trying to maim my face, this time with her nails as my hands remained on the wheel, keeping the truck steady despite the terror she was trying to rain on me.

“Easy now,” Rogan’s voice was steady as he opened the box, grabbed the zip ties, securing them on my wildcat’s little wrists.

“What? No!!! Please you can’t do that we were just abducted and restrained.” Brandi, cried trying to stop him.

“It’s for her safety and ours. He needs to drive, you both need medical attention and rest and she is losing it.”

I stopped the truck so Rogan could climb out and deal with Savvy in the back.

“So,” he drawled. “Are you two gonna be good or am I gonna have to sit back here between you to babysit ya?”

“Fuck this,” Savvy muttered, rearing back. She lifted her leg trying to kick him in the groin with he boot heel. A mov e he easily evaded.

“All the football blocking and talking finally coming in useful,” he chuckled.

“Fuck you,” she spat.

“Easy, now. We saved you. I’m thinking you should be grateful.”

“It’s because of you we were even targeted!” Savvy screamed.

“Negative. That would be your old man.”

She finally quieted. Sitting back in defeat. A light flashed in her eyes before he disguised it.

“What?” I turned her chin, forcing her to face me where I sat half twisted over the front seat. “Tell me.”

“No,” she spat.

“Savannah,” I warned, my voice a growl, “if you know something about what happened you need to tell me so I can deal with it.”

“Why? Why would a Royal Bastard want to help me?”

“Because of what we are to each other.”

“And what exactly is that now?” She challenged.

I rubbed the back of my neck not ready to get into this right now. “Romeo and Juliet? But we don’t have to die.”

“Spare me the attempt at romantics.”

“What’s your real name and what’s his? Let’s start with that and maybe I’ll play.”

Fuck I loved how even now, dirty and damaged she was strong willed and not backing down an inch. It turned me the fuck on. She was my equal in every way.

My queen.

My love.

My enemy’s only daughter.

“River. River Cruz. Prez of the Royal Bastards Santa Fe. He’s Rogan, my Searge. But oddly I still might call him Tank. It fits, ya know?”

“We need to get back on the road. I hear sirens.” Tank cocked his head. “Looks like I’m riding in the back with the ladies. He hauled Savvy out keeping her close to him by snaring her cuffed wrists before climbing in the middle and pulling her back inside. He reached across her lap tp close the door with one hand while I re-engaged the locks.

“All set boss. The three of us are all nice and cozy.”

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