Page 3 of Tempted
“Got it.”
“And clear out the clubhouse. Members only.”I hang up and look down at the girl still clutching me tightly.“You never stop surprising me.”
She gazes up at me, and I brush a kiss on herlips. How many women would have done what she did? Not a lot ofmenwould have stepped up like that. I lean against the carand just hold her, stroking her hair as I stare up at the nightsky. Her words play on a loop in my mind.I’m not leavingyou.And I don’t believe she would have, either. I think shewould have gone down with me if it had come to that. Shit. This isexactly why I don’t keep women around, why I keep a revolving dooron my bedroom. Any woman of mine would be an easy target. Is thatwhat I’m doing to Raven? Am I turning her into a target? I know I’ma selfish son-of-a-bitch, but I want her too much to let her go.I’ll keep her safe. If I have to become her personal bodyguard thenso be it. If anyone wants to get to her, they have to go throughme.
The guys arrive half an hour later. They rollmy bike out of the trailer and load up the bodies and their bikes.Razor walks over to me, jerking his head toward the Mustang.
“What happened?”
“Later, Razor. Church when we get back.”
He nods and heads back to help the others. Ilightly squeeze Raven’s shoulders, and she peeks up at me. “Comeon, doll.”
She releases me, and I grab my hoodie fromthe back seat. Standing before her, I place it around her shouldersand she sticks her arms in. I zip it up and lift the hood over herhead. While Motor loads the Mustang into the trailer, I help Ravenonto my bike. She instinctively slides forward and wraps her armsaround me when I climb on. She clings to me for the entire ride,her tight grip never faltering. Fuck if I don’t like thefeeling.
We roll into the compound, and I park in thegarage. While helping her off, I notice she’s shaking. “Babe? Youokay?”
She doesn’t answer. She’s staring at mychest, but I get the feeling she’s notseeingme.Fuck.She must be in shock or something.I pick her up and hurryinside, praying she’ll be okay. E rushes toward me.
“What happened?” He asks in a panic.
“I think she’s in shock.”
His eyes widen, and he exclaims, “She waswith you?”
“Could you just take a look at her?” I reallydon’t need his shit right now.
“I’ll get my bag.”
I take her to my room and lay her on the bedgently. She stares up at the ceiling, hardly blinking. I encloseher trembling fingers in mine.
“You’re okay, doll.”
“I…I killed him.”
“What? No. No, babe. You shot him, but hedidn’t die.Ikilled him.”
E enters the room and kneels next to me,trying to brush me aside. “Wait outside.”
“Why?” I ask.
“I need to do this without you hovering overme. Just give me a few minutes.”
“E –”
“Please, Gage.”
Fine. But he better know I’m not goingfar.I give Raven’s fingers a gentle squeeze. “I’m rightoutside the door.”
I pace the corridor for what seems like aneternity, but was probably just ten minutes, before E opens thedoor.
“She’s fine. Just a little shaken up. I gave her something to helpher sleep.”
He pats my back and leaves. I hurry into theroom, eager to get back to her side. She’s sitting up now. I closethe door behind me and kneel in front of her. “That was one of thebravest things I’ve seen in my life. You were awesome, babe.”
She trails her fingers over the stubble on myjaw and gives me a small smile.Good. She’s snapping out ofit.I fucking hate to leave her right now. “I’ve got to talk tothe guys. Lie down and I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“I…I should go. I have work in themorning.”
