Page 19 of Fletch’s Protection

“The first time,” he replies without looking at her. He drives straight to the cabin. A little sign hangs on the lamp post—Cabin 1—and just seeing it makes a whole new layer of emotion tighten my throat.

“So this is it?” Cassie asks. “I expected it to be a concrete building with bars on the windows.”

He chuckles, but it’s not a warm sound. “You always have such a smart fucking mouth?”

I cover that mouth with my hand. “No. She’s extra spicy today.”

Cassie bites my hand, not hard, and I drop it from her face.

He’s already out of the truck, helping Fletch move our things into the cabin. “We should go help.”

“Suit yourself.”

“Wow, you are extra spicy.”

She crosses her arms. It’s not like Cassie to act like this. But whatever happened before we got to the hardware store must have really set her off.

A flicker of light catches my eye. It’s one of the other club members closing the big metal gate. When I look at Fletch, he’s watching me.

“Did you ask them to close the gate?”

“I want my girl safe.” He tugs me into his hold. “Your sister will figure it out too.”

“I’m worried about her.”

“Don’t be. Ridge is irritating as fuck, but he’s gonna make sure your sister’s safe. So will all the other men here.”

Worried, I chew on my fingernail. “You really think Clark will stay away?”

“Let me worry about that.” He kisses my forehead, and loops his arm around my neck. “Let’s get you unpacked and make some food for you two.”

“You cook?”

“Was I weak and scrawny looking when we were in bed?”

Oh! My entire face heats and my nipples catch on fire. “Um. No. No issue in that department.”

“I’ll keep you nice and warm tonight.”

With that he drags me into the house where Ridge is standing close to my sister.

But the Prez steps back. Tips his chin at Fletch and walks away. Cassie’s lips are parted. She skates her tongue across them and averts her gaze, muttering, “I’ll be in my cell.”

10

Fletch

The dishes are washed and Cassie’s settled into the second bedroom doing homework, which she explained she still had to do because they held her back a grade when she was young.

Mari’s curled on the couch because I made her get off her feet while I cleaned the kitchen. When I sit down next to her, I pull her legs over my lap.

“Cassie simmered down,” she says quietly. “I wasn’t sure, but dinner helped. And thanks for talking to her.”

“Course. Why wouldn’t I?”

“I don’t know what big mean bikers do in their downtime.”

I give her a look, dragging my gaze down her body.