Page 69 of Savage Outlaw

“Over a bodyguard, I doubt it, but you don’t need to worry about that. Just stay the fuck off their radar, got it?”

Butcher followed him outside, Chains already climbed onto his bike.

“If this is another warning, you can save your breath. I remember the last one verbatim.”

Axel stared a hard look, but it wasn’t anger to come out of his mouth. “Is she really okay? It felt like she was putting on a brave face in there.”

“She’s doing better. You and me can bounce back from something like this no problem, means jackshit to us. Roux is not like us.”

“She grew up wild in this life.”

“And you protected her from the worst parts. It’s gonna stay with her for a while. Worse case, she might develop PTSD.”

“Fuck.” Axel inhaled.

Across the street one of Butcher’s neighbors was walking his dog and upped his steps when he saw them. Couldn’t blame the guy, but that sort of shit always pissed him off. He was the first one at someone’s door if he heard a ruckus.

“She’s gonna be fine.”

“It’ll change her. I didn’t want this for my girl.”

“She lived, that’s what’s important here, Axel. Now you gotta find out if the Ruiz bitch has said anything to her husband.”

“I’m working on it.” he turned to stride to his bike, then looked back and pointed a finger. “You remember she’s engaged.”

The burn of even those words when he knew they were fucking bullshit still put fire in his eyes. “Yeah, and where is the intended now when she’s fucking upset, huh?”

He gave Axel his back and went inside to Roux.

She came into his arms as if she’d been waiting for him and while he held her, he locked up his house.

“You’re okay, I’ve got you. I’m here, baby.”

Instantly her body loosened, he slid a hand up and down her spine then she gave a great shuddering exhale.

“Why do I feel so bad?”

“Because, my tough warrior, you have a conscience. And though you were fighting for your life, it still hurts you to know an asshole died. Your dad is right, there’s no guilt here.”

She laughed a little. “Wow. That’s probably the one and only time you two will ever agree.”

“We agree more than you think when it concerns you.”

“I don’t want to go home.”

“You don’t have to.”

“Okay. Can I go back to bed now?”

“Don’t you want something to eat first?”

“I’m not hungry.”

This bothered him, but he’d give her a few more hours of sleep yet.

He put her to bed.

“Stay.” She asked. He toed off his boots and climbed in beside her, pulling Roux into his arms. She nestled in, killing his dick with her wriggling. “Thank you, Tad.” And was asleep in minutes, back to her peace.

---