AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But there wasn’t an easy one that came to mind. What I needed I doubted anyone could provide, but in his arms I believed anything was possible. “Happiness.”
“Mmm… Then your wish is granted.” Very slowly he allowed my feet to touch the floor, his muscles tensing as he started to fuck me in earnest, his jaw clenched so tightly his reflection was almost scary.
But I had no fear of him, only of myself for falling too hard.
Too fast.
Then he’d realize the woman he held in his arms was far too damaged to be what he needed. As rage built for the past, denying any further joy for the night, I did what I could to hide my fury and sadness.
And within a few minutes, he started to shake, losing control. As he erupted deep inside my ass, all I could think about was when the beautiful time we’d spent together would come to a shattering end.
CHAPTER12
Maverick
Bullshit.
The word continued to play in the back of my mind, the ugliness of lies keeping me on edge. Rangers had finally dug out Bruno’s body from the several inches of packed snow he’d been caught in, the US Marshals standing by as if they still needed to arrest him. I’d been lucky, maybe using up my last life. Sam had dug me out of the snow, pulling me to safety first, his training keeping him from wasting any time. Then I’d managed to dig the hostages out of the several feet of snow, thankful help had arrived a few hours later. I hadn’t thought they’d make it after all they’d been through.
Candy and Mark Wells. If either one of them had anything to do with the Butelli crime syndicate, I was Santa Claus. But they’d been targeted. That much I knew in my gut. The marshals were keeping dark secrets. At some point, I’d force them to tell me.
“The hero returns,” Gage said as he clapped me on the back.
I didn’t bother shifting on the barstool, knowing he’d slide against the bar, refusing to let me enjoy a night of drinking.
At least until Scorpion allowed Lily to leave for the night. Even now, her eyes watched me as she picked up a tray of drinks, her sly smile keeping my cock at full attention. I was uncomfortable as hell, my balls swollen. She had that kind of effect on me.
I grabbed a handful of peanuts, unable to keep from glaring at the circus that still existed outside Raunchy Ride, reporters taking up temporary residence. At least Gage had forewarned Scorpion about the onslaught of reporters, but not before they’d invaded the interior, shoving their goddamn cameras in my face.
“I was just doing my job,” I insisted then yanked the shot of tequila into my hand, powering it back without hesitation. It wasn’t my usual drink of choice, but after the unnerving adventure, bourbon didn’t cut it.
“You and I know that’s not true. It became personal to you.” He glanced at the crowd, acting as if he wasn’t really interested. I knew better.
“Nothing is personal.”
“Bullshit, Maverick. I saw the way you and Lily looked at each other after you walked inside that door. Then you were ready to beat the crap out of that dude for touching her. And if I hadn’t threatened them with arrest, you’d be biding your time until you could take them out one at a time.”
“Who says I’m not going to do it anyway?” I shoved the shot glass across the bar, getting the bartender’s attention.
“You’re a loose cannon, buddy. I’m glad you finally found someone to keep you happy, but you can’t go off halfcocked every time a man glances in her direction.”
“They weren’t glancing. They were touching.”
“Jesus Christ. She’s not Belle.”
I slowly turned my head, staring into his eyes. “I told you never to say her name around me.”
“Fuck it, man. You need to let that shit go.”
“Have you? Are you going to honestly tell me that every time you lift your head, glancing at Sapphire Ridge, you don’t think about her? About that night? About…” I couldn’t put my feelings into the appropriate words. “When I was buried under the snow, all I could think about was that I’d finally gotten the punishment I deserved for not being able to save Belle. Then I knew I had to protect Lily. That’s what kept me alive.”
Gage’s eyes opened wide. “You’re not the one to blame for Belle’s death. We all are.”
We. The word was being used loosely, the guilt the six of us carried manifesting itself in different ways. When the bartender filled the glass with another hit of tequila, I wrapped my hand around it, using enough force I was surprised the thick crystal didn’t shatter in my hand.
I couldn’t swallow the new shot fast enough, slamming the thick glass on the bar’s surface with a brutal thud. “It’s obvious you don’t remember shit. Fine.”
The tension between us had never been so intense. I was taking out my anger on him for all the rage and remorse that had piled up in my little red wagon over the last few years. The garbage with Bruno had been the last straw. I was itching to break somebody’s neck. I couldn’t look at Gage, preferring to nurse the beer in front of me.
