AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He moved closer, his voice full of anger. “Really? So that’s why I wake up every other night in a cold sweat, Belle’s face lingering in the back of my mind. That’s why I almost landed in prison when you and the others were off killing people legally. I was the one who spent days on that mountain after you guys left the city, refusing to come down. I don’t know what the hell I was searching for but I sure as shit didn’t find it. Why the hell do you think I can’t have a relationship, Wolfman? It’s not because I don’t want to commit, to share a home with someone and be able to wake up with her by my side every day. It’s because I know better than to try. I’d just destroy her life, killing her spirit if not hurting her given the night terrors I’ve had for years. Do you want to know why I don’t have people over to my house?”
The angst in his voice was dangerously close to erupting in rage. “Why?” I gritted out.
“Because I can’t patch up the holes I drive into the wallboard with my fist fast enough.” He allowed the statement to dig into the far reaches of my mind before continuing. “You see that woman over there, the one you were pawing in the goddamn bathroom a few minutes ago?”
The fact he was talking about Lily pushed my irritation to another level and I refused to budge. That’s when Gage did something so unexpected that I was momentarily thrown. He yanked my arm, forcing me off the barstool.
“Take a goddamn look, Maverick. See that woman over there? Yeah, you know the one. She cares about you. Granted, she doesn’t know shit because you’re not the kind of man to open up to anyone. That’s why you almost got yourself killed overseas. That’s also why you risk your life every chance you get. If you don’t want to be honest with her, ain’t my business, but do her a favor and walk away. She might not know it, but it’ll be the best damn gift you can give her.”
He’d never spoken to me this way. Not once in all the years we’d known each other. His words haunted the man inside, enough so my muscles twitched. He was right, my original assessment spot on.
She deserved a better life than I could provide.
“Just stop feeling sorry for yourself,” he huffed.
“I’ll take that under advisement. Did you get any info on the hostages?”
“Nothing. The marshals are keeping them on lockdown.”
“There’s something fishy about the entire situation.”
He threw up his arms. “Another piece of advice. Let it alone. You did your job. You got paid.”
My buddy knew that when something stuck in my craw, I was a bulldog until I figured it out. However, he was right in that I’d get nowhere fast. “Fine.”
“Right. I can tell you’re not going to listen to me. I’ll see you later.”
While I watched him taking long strides, disappearing into the crowd, I did what I could to keep the anger from getting the better of me. I shoved the empty glass across the bar for a second time, demanding the bartender’s attention.
“What the fuck was that about?” Snake asked as he and Phoenix approached, narrowing his eyes then glancing toward Gage.
“Nothing that matters.” I couldn’t stand the warm beer and shoved it aside, cursing under my breath. Both knew better than to bug me when I got into this kind of mood. “Are the fucking press gone?”
“Yeah, I think they finally gave up,” Phoenix answered. “You’re a real hometown hero though. If you hadn’t been there, that couple would have died.”
“They’re not out of danger yet. There’s bound to be another mafia enforcer arriving any day now.” At least the girl behind the bar didn’t shove me aside, bringing the bottle to the bar, her eyes never leaving mine as she poured the glass full. I wasted no time tossing it into my mouth, holding it for a few seconds before swallowing. Maybe I should drink acid instead. That would make the pain disappear faster.
Snake snorted. “You’re grumpier than usual. I thought you’d be happy, big paycheck and all.”
“Haven’t you learned by now money isn’t everything?” I yanked out my wallet, pulling out a couple of twenty-dollar bills.
“It’s on the house,” the bartender said. “Compliments of Scorpion.”
Shit. I hated charity under normal circumstances. I left the money anyway.
“You’re coming to Houston’s big shindig tomorrow night. Right?” Snake pushed.
“You can take a look at how the sanctuary is coming along,” Phoenix added. They were relentless, which did little for my fury.
“Riggs. I’m really thrilled that you found yourself in building the sanctuary, but I’m not in any mood for a party.” That was the truth. Even though I’d thought about whether it would bring Lily somewhat out of her shell.
“Whatever your problem is, get the stick out of your ass,” Phoenix said, ignoring his given name as usual. The fact was he was shoving my self-pity down my throat. “You saved a couple lives. You got the bad guy. And from what I can tell, you found a beautiful woman who somehow can look beyond your surly bullshit. Houston is returning home. You never know, buddy. The gang might all be together for one night only.”
His words were harsh, but he couldn’t keep the glint out of his eyes. “Let me guess, you conned Colt into handling the music.” Colt Rivers lived a dream life as a country music star. At least he’d managed to get out of town unscathed.
“If so, the fucker better watch his step with me,” Snake commented. He’d remained angry for Colt for leaving without saying more than a few words. Only Phoenix had maintained any contact whatsoever.
“Jesus Christ, both of you. Just stop by for a few. What it’s going to hurt, unless you have big plans,” Riggs added.
