AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I snarled at the guy as I felt R.J.’s hand grasp my shoulder, “Get the fuck out of my sight.”
Any threats would fall on deaf ears as the only one I needed to speak to wasn’t here. On purpose. Bryce proved his point. He could find Rae whenever he wanted.
She wasn’t safe.
Fucking hell!
The Outlaw members turned and left, disappearing quickly into the crowd. Damn.
I had managed to stay away from trouble lately, but now it seemed trouble was finding me again in the form of the rival MC. This was the third encounter in a week. Bryce was starting shit, and Rae was too close to all of it. She was going to be pissed when I restricted her freedom, especially alone, but without me or one of my guys she was vulnerable.
The problem was, I couldn’t tell her why.
Rae stomped off, Hayley right on her heels as I frowned.
“They must have scared her,” R.J. looked as pissed as I felt.
“Go take care of Hay, Jake. I’ve got to talk to Rae.”
I found her by the swing set, her long legs lightly swinging back and forth. How many movies did we come and see as kids and play on the swings before it became dark? Too many to count.
“You going to tell me what happened?” I asked gently, sitting in the vacant swing next to her.
She sighed, “I hate bullies.”
I knew that and exhaled loudly, “Did he threaten or hurt you?” I had to take a deep breath and maintain my cool. I asked the question like I was some growling animal. Overprotective was putting it mildly.
She sighed, “Not really. They just wanted to have some fun and pick on a couple of cute girls.”
If only that were true.
I caught her gaze, “Come here.”
She shook her head, biting her lip.
“C’mere baby. Please?”
She stood, still holding her bucket although the drink was safely on the ground a few feet away.
“Put the food down and come closer.”
She set the popcorn next to her drink and turned as I grabbed her. She squealed, loud enough for a few people to look our way but I didn’t care.
Laughing and tickling her, I pulled Rae into my lap and held her close against my chest, burying my nose in her hair, the scent of coconut filling my senses, “Rae, you know that I’ll always protect you right? Don’t you remember my promise?”
She nodded, “Yeah, Pete. I do.”
Chapter 11
“You know I’ll always protect you, right?” Peter’s arms tightened their hold, “don’t you remember my promise?”
I nodded, “Yeah, Pete. I do.”
Tears filled my eyes at the memory. The day of my father’s funeral seemed so close, like only yesterday, but it had been years now. The pain was as real and acute as that fateful day and every year since. Around this time every summer, I would withdraw and think of him, remembering the anniversary of his death. Peter must have noticed because he whispered in my ear, “I miss him too.”
My eyes burned as I remembered Peter’s promise . . .
DEVASTATED, I RAN THROUGH the kitchen and out the back door heading straight for the treehouse, hot tears falling down my devastated cheeks. Once I was inside I barricaded the trap door so no one could come in after me. For hours I sat on the hardwood floor, rocking back and forth, crying for my dead father. He was never coming back. The thought was so jarring, so permanent that I wailed my sorrow, sobbing so hard I could hardly breathe. I must have stayed like that until I fell asleep out of exhaustion.
