Page 17 of No Fear
“Fuckin’ Bomars.” He cursed again, “Always thinkin’ rules don’t apply to you.”
Remy frowned, “Rules?”
“Family’s off limits to the crew. Lincoln’s rule. Don’t fuck where you eat so get your filthy hands off my goddamned sister.”
More than anything, the way this guy spat Lincoln’s name like another curse word got Remy’s hair up. He’d said Lincoln’s name like that before, sure. Hell, he’d threatened to rip Lincoln’s hands off not ten minutes ago for the exact same reason. He hadn’t wanted his cousin touching Rachel. But he was Lincoln’s family, he was allowed. Well, if not allowed, his dissension was at least tolerated. Outsiders didn’t get to talk about Lincoln like that, particularly not men that were part of his crew and were supposed to show deference.
“I’m not part of the crew.”
“You ain’t touchin’ my sister, Bomar.” The other man snarled, “Rachel! Get your ass over here. Now! You’re goin home and we’re gonna talk about this little adventure of yours.”
“I told you she’s not going with you.”
The oddly familiar masculine face flared red with rage, “I’m not here for you, Bomar and you can’t keep me from talkin’ to my sister.”
Remy edged to the side, blocking the other man again when he tried to get past him. Everything about this guy flared his protective instincts. He didn’t want him anywhere near Rachel but he had a feeling his words weren’t going to be enough to get rid of her brother. He’d either have to use his fists or…
“Fine. You want to hear it from her?” He turned just enough to meet Rachel’s gaze and saw that her big eyes were watery, “Do you want to go with him?”
She shook her head so hard and fast it was a wonder she didn’t get whiplash.
“There you go.” He turned back to the guy that was glaring at Rachel with so much hatred in his gaze that Remy had to resist the urge to shove him further away from the girl, “You can go now. She’s made her choice.”
“Yeah. I guess she has.” The other man sneered at them as he backed up slowly, though the look on his face was far from defeat when his lips curled menacingly, “You have fun tonight sis. Spread those legs like a good little whore. I’ll see you at home when he gets done with you, Ray-Ray.”
Whatever that parting shot was about, it must have hit because Rachel sagged against Remy’s side. He tore his gaze off the retreating figure and spun just in time to keep her from sinking to her knees. She was shivering so hard her entire body was shaking as he swept her up into his arms. She didn’t look at him. Her eyes were closed so tight he thought maybe she was trying to keep tears at bay and she was biting into her bottom lip so hard he worried she would draw blood.
“Hey, baby, it’s okay. He’s gone. You’re safe.” Remy tried to soothe her but she only shook her head and then buried her face in his shoulder, “I got you Rach. I’m not gonna let anybody hurt you. I promise.”
She clung to him, silently, and since he didn’t feel tears wet his chest he hoped that meant whatever was happening wasn’t as bad as he was imagining. He wanted to go after that damn brother of hers and beat him to a pulp for doing this to her. He didn’t even know whatthiswas but he knew that Rachel didn’t deserve it just like he knew that he was going to protect her from it.
As he moved down the line of cars, carrying Rachel, he murmured to her softly. He told her things he’d been holding inside him for weeks, for what felt like forever. He’d told himself that he wouldn’t push her but he was done hiding how he truly felt about her too.
Tonight had changed things.
He told her how beautiful he thought she was. How special. How she was all he thought about, all he’d wanted since that first moment on the street. That she was his and he would take care of her or die trying. He wasn’t sure how much of it she heard, how much she took to heart, but some of it must have gotten through because by the time he reached the Challenger she’d stopped trembling and was simply clinging to him.
“Come on babe. I’m takin’ you home.” He lowered her gently into the passenger seat.
Her hand shot out, her nails digging into his forearm as she clung to him, “I-I-I c-can’t go home.”
“Not your home.” He smoothed her hair back softly, “You’re goin’ home with me tonight.”
She almost looked like she deflated her breath came rushing out so hard, “Th-thank you Remy.”
He brushed a kiss across her forehead, the most he could allow himself, and when he pulled away she let him go this time. He shut the door behind him and let out a rough breath of his own. However he’d imagined this night going, it hadn’t looked anything like this.
He had Rachel in his car. He was taking her home with him. But she was upset, scared and…
Something he’d been missing hit him in the gut then. She’d been stuttering. With him. All night. She’d stammered over her words, a clear sign of her nerves and fear and he hadn’t caught it.
Damn it, she never stuttered with him! Not even that first day they met. Skylar had been in awe because of that and questioned him about it endlessly. That was how he’d known it was important, that Rachel trusted him and it had only confirmed what he’d already put together.
She was his.
He grit his teeth against the urge to punch something. To lash out. He hadn’t been paying attention. He’d gotten distracted by her presence and her skimpy outfit and he hadn’t been thinking. If he’d been using the head on top of his shoulders he would have known something was wrong when she stuttered talking to him.
On his side, he opened the door and then grabbed a spare t-shirt out of his backseat. He’d left his other clothes inside, where he’d changed earlier. Luckily his keys were still in the ignition. He hadn’t worried about anyone stealing it, not here, not since it belonged to a Bomar.
