Page 40 of Unmasked Anarchy
I giggle.“It’s the little, iced, delicious, doughy things.”
Mera nods, and then her eyes widen.
We’re standing outside the donut shop, too impatient to wait before eating ours.The sun is shining, casting a warm glow over everything, and the town is bustling with life.The aroma of fresh pastries mingles with the crisp morning air, creating a comforting atmosphere that feels almost magical.
Laughter and chatter fill the streets, a symphony of everyday life that makes the town feel alive.I can see why people like living here so much; there’s a sense of community, a shared joy in the simple pleasures that make each day special.As I take a bite of my donut, the sweetness melts on my tongue, and for a moment, all my worries fade away, replaced by the simple happiness of this perfect morning.
“Ah, honey,” Mera goes on, her eyes fixed on something, “I don’t want to alarm you but there is a very large, very gorgeous biker walking toward you and man looks pissed.”
I turn and see Gage striding toward me, his eyes focused solely on me.
Oh no.
Nia and Mera step closer, their bodies angled between me and Gage, like they might throw hands if necessary.I lick a piece of donut icing off my thumb and tell them, “It’s okay, I got this.”I think I mean it, I’m not actually sure.The look on Gage’s face is one of intense purpose.
“That your old man?”Mera whispers.
I nod.
Gage is all darkness today, all that dark hair shaggier than usual, jaw locked so hard I can see the muscle jumping in his cheek.He’s in his patch, of course, sleeves shoved up over tattooed forearms, and I can see little slices of fresh red on his knuckles.He hasn’t been having a good time.Clearly.
He stops a few feet off.“Sable,” he breathes, low and raw, then points at me and jerks his chin.“Walk.”
Seriously?
I go to open my mouth and argue, but there is something in his expression that tells me that isn’t wise.
“Honey,” Mera says, putting her hand on mine.
“It’s okay.”I offer her a nervous smile.“He won’t hurt me.I’ll be right back.”
God, I hope I’m right.
I nod in his direction and then follow him into the little brick alley beside the shop where there’s a strip of shade and the trash bins smell really fucking bad.I pause when we get there and watch as he paces, short and fast, head down like he’s fighting the urge to lose it.I lean against the wall, taking a shaky breath.He could say anything:You’re dead to me.I want you back.I’ll kill you.I’ll kill him.I’ll kill everyone.The possibilities are endless.
Instead, he pins me with a look that hurts my heart, because it isn’t a look I’ve ever seen on his face.He looks wounded, like I have reached into his chest and just ripped his heart out.“What is wrong with you?”he spits.“You think this is a game?That you can just bounce from me to him?”
My mouth opens.Nothing comes out.
He covers the gap in two strides, hands bracing the wall on either side of my face.Suddenly the world smells like leather and cigarettes and that earthy, masculine Gage who once I wished would fill every single hollow I ever had.He’s so close his lips are nearly brushing mine.
“You think I’m stupid.You think I don’t know when another man is fucking my woman.”
My pulse thrums hard in my neck.I push at his chest and he doesn’t budge, he isn’t going to let me go.I know that much.Not until he has said what he needs to say.
“What do you want me to say?”I whisper hiss.“I gave you so many chances, Gage.All I wanted was to be loved, protected, to feel like I fucking mattered.Someone nearly took my life, and still, you are acting like it never happened.”
“Told you I’d kill whoever did that.”
I laugh, but it’s bitter.“Oh, how wonderful.What about taking care of your wife when she was fucking terrified?No, Kael did that.He came in when you couldn’t.”
His eyes flash, and I know I’m pushing his buttons, but I don’t care.
I too am done with these fucking games.
“I will fucking kill him, do you hear me?I will gut him,, and the last name on his fuckin’ lips will be mine.”
“Oh, fuck you, Gage.You don’t get to be jealous,” I snap, even though my entire body is trembling.“Not after you fucked two women without thought.It’s over, do you hear me?”
