Page 36 of Hard Corps (Selected Sinners MC 7)

“I don’t like it when you call me Kid,” Austin said.

Ripp shifted his eyes toward Austin and glared. “Shut up, Austin. Feel lucky you’re even invited. You’re still proving your worth.”

Without looking up from her plate, Ripp’s mother once again chastised him. “Don’t say that word Michael, it’s a bad word.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” he responded.

“I want to go,” Ripp’s sister said.

Mr. Ripton glanced up from his meal. “Go where?”

Katie turned toward Ripp and smiled. “I want to go with you guys tonight.”

“Bug, we’re going out drinking and acting like fools. It ain’t a place for you,” Ripp responded.

I shifted my eyes toward Katie. She was the sister who had been abused by the man Ripp later confronted – and subsequently killed – and although I didn’t know the extent of what was done to her, it was apparent the assault was nothing short of savage. As I sat and admired her beautiful looks and calm demeanor, I wondered what type of person would ever be able to do anything to such a woman, or any woman for that matter.

She shrugged her shoulders and widened her eyes. “Well, Vivian and Kace are going. So girls can go, and I want to go.”

Ripp shook his head. “Bug, you’re just a kid, you can’t…”

She shook her head and narrowed her eyes. “I’m not a kid. I’m old enough to drink. I’m four years younger than Kace, basically. So kiss my ass, Ripp. I want to go.”

“No cussing, Bug,” Ripp’s mother said flatly.

Katie glanced toward her mother, grinned, and as she shifted her eyes toward Ripp, locked her eyes on mine for a moment. I had been blankly staring, but not out of anything but slight admiration and wonder. I grinned as our eyes locked, and she quickly broke my gaze.

“Let her go, Ripp,” Austin said.

I wanted her to look at me again, and felt slightly guilty for desiring it so deeply. Her eyes were a translucent blue and not only complimented her well, but were rather difficult not to become fixated on.

“Bug, Austin, no nicknames at the table,” Mrs. Ripton said.

“Sorry, Ma’am,” Austin said apologetically as he turned to Mrs. Ripton. He turned toward Ripp’s father and nodded his head. “And, sorry, Sir.”

“Ain’t nobody asked your opinion Austin, shut up and eat,” Ripp complained.

Kace grinned and turned toward Ripp, undoubtedly recognizing his use of the word shut up. Shane, who hadn’t said a word all night, also shifted his eyes toward Ripp.

“Michael,” Kace said playfully.

“Michael, that’s enough,” Ripp’s mother said, reminding him of the bad word he had used.

I shifted my eyes from Ripp’s mother toward Ripp, and met Katie’s gaze half-way across the table, stopping me from looking any further.

Damn, your eyes are beautiful.

“So, you were a Marine?” she asked.

I had every intention of looking away when I responded, but failed to do so.

I nodded my head as my mouth went dry. “Once and always.”

She continued to stare into my eyes, all but hypnotizing me to return her stare. “What’s that mean?”

With my eyes still locked on her, I grinned at her curious nature. “Well, it means once you’re a Marine, you’ll always be a Marine. What is instilled into you lasts a lifetime. Once a Marine always a Marine.”

“He’s teaching me hand-to-hand combat and self-defense,” Austin said.