Page 58 of Hell on an Angel
“Do you want to go get it?” He’d make the run back to Provo if she wanted the car. This time, there wouldn’t be anyone chasing them.
Kennedy laughed. “Can we wait until spring?”
“We can go whenever you want.”
Kennedy rested her forehead against his chest. “Does that mean you’ll be sticking around?”
Cree cocked his head to the side, and for the first time in days, he realized Kennedy thought he was leaving her behind. “Do you remember me telling you I love you?”
“Yes. Do you?” Kennedy wasn’t backing down. If she wanted Cree to look at her as a solid ol’ lady, she needed to make sure he knew she had a spine.
“Hell yes, iskwew. Words like those don’t fall from my lips easily.” He saw the relief wash over her. Not once had he thought Kennedy didn’t understand he wasn’t leaving her. Then it clicked in his thick head—everyone in her life had deserted her, so why wouldn’t she think he would do the same? “I’m not one of those people who left you behind, and I never will, so get that out of your head.”
“Okay.”
“Okay? That’s all you have to say.” Cree stepped closer to her, crowding her. He loved that she didn’t back down. Loved that she didn’t step back.
“I love you,” she blurted out in a rushed whisper. Although she had told him on her birthday, saying it in front of others was a risk. Now, they hung there like laundry hanging on a line to dry. Kennedy found herself being pulled off her feet as Cree lifted her so he could kiss her firmly.
The kiss wasn’t hard or rushed. It was sensual and soft. It was different than all the other kisses he’d given her. And she melted into it. When he put her down, Kennedy desperately wanted him to kiss her again. “I take it you’re keeping me?”
Fuck yeah, he was keeping her sexy ass. Movement to his left had him glancing over at the clubhouse door. “Yeah, there’s just one thing I need to handle.” Cree left Kennedy standing by the bike. Walking across the parking lot, his sights were set on Player. If the brother felt the need to throw down, he’d jump, but they couldn’t keep dancing around each other.
“Player.”
Player’s jaw clenched as he stared at Cree. The brother knew he couldn’t do what he had without repercussion. He’d kept his head through the holidays, but now, Player wanted Cree to take responsibility. “You crossed the line.”
Cree hated to throw Player’s words back at him, but . . . “Like you haven’t?” Cree leaned in so Player could hear his quiet words. “I know who holds your heart.” He stepped back just in time to block the punch Player threw at him. “Is that the best you got, Player?”
“Screw you,” Player growled, lunging at Cree. He hit the brother in the midsection. Wrapping his arms around Cree’s waist, Player took them both to the ground. Rolling across the snow and ice covering the pavement, Player’s fist connected with Cree’s jaw.
He didn’t get the chance at landing a second punch before Cree clocked him in the side of the head. Player saw stars for a split second. Strong hands gripped Player, yanking him back. Tossing back an elbow, he felt it connect with something hard.
“God damn it!” Joker shouted. It was the distraction Cree needed to throw Player off. Coming up on his knees, he slipped on a patch of ice and landed on his ass. Five feet from him, Cree was having the same issue. Neither man could get their footing to get back up.
All they heard was laughter coming from the front of the clubhouse. Player was the first to crack a smile as he rubbed the side of his face. Cree ran his thumb across his bottom lip, wiping blood from it.
“Are you two done fighting?” Kennedy asked with a perturbed look on her face.
“Yeah.”
“Yep.”
“Good.” Kennedy stuck her hand out for Cree to take and ended up on top of him, laughing.
Player managed to get to his feet. Glancing over, he saw Joker’s face was already bruising. He felt like shit for the cheap shot, but before he could say anything, Joker disappeared behind some of the brothers. Turning around, Player planted his feet and helped Kennedy up.
When Cree stood up, Player handed his sister to Cree. “You hurt her . . .”
“I won’t.”
Player needed Cree to stick around. He didn’t want his little sister staying at the clubhouse. He didn’t want her exposed to the things that went down within those walls. “Would the two of you like to stay at my place until the weather gets better?”
Kennedy was shocked but thankful for the offer. She didn’t like staying at the clubhouse. She’d already seen more than she cared to admit. “Do you have enough room for us?”
Player looked at Cree before answering. “I have an apartment I rent out. It’s empty right now.”
Kennedy realized her brother was giving them a place within his home. She wanted to stay with Cree, but not at Player’s discomforted. “We can’t take your place.”
