“Want you in my bed, darlin’, but if you’re more comfortable in your room, I’ll climb in there.” He sits on the end of the bed and pulls his boots on.

“You don’t think it’s weird me being here while you’re gone?” I press on, voicing my unease.

“Fuck no. The only thing wrong with the idea is I’ll be thinking about it all night. Probably have a semi half the night. Jesse will probably give me shit.”

I laugh at the image. Yeah, Jesse will so give him shit. “I’ll see how it goes,” I finally say, watching him stand and put on his cut.

“Okay, but so you know, coming home to you in my bed would be a fucking dream.” He leans down and kisses me one last time. “Be thinking of ya, darlin’.” He stands to full height, and without a backward glance, he leaves me naked in his bed.

It’s not until later when I see Hunter’s truck parked across the road I realize he didn’t listen.

It makes me fall a little more for him.

Past Mackenzie

“I don’t know what you’re fucking thinking here.” A voice pulls me out of my groggy sleep and back to reality.

The past twenty-four hours come flooding back and then I realize I’m in a hospital.

“Don’t start your shit right now, Sy,” Beau’s voice answers and I keep still, wondering what they’re talking about.

“She’s fucking dangerous. Look who she’s connected to. This is bad shit, Beau.”

Me. They’re talking about me.

“What the fuck is your problem, Sy? You think I’m gonna walk away from her? I’m following this through. If you want to leave, fine. Fuck off. But we’re all this woman has right now. I’m gonna take her out of town away from that abusive-ass husband, with or without your help.” I hold my breath, then slowly let it out as I realize this man is truly going to save me.

“I’m not saying to leave her here. I’m saying call Tiny in. Have someone else do this. I’m worried about you. I haven’t seen you like this before.”

The room falls silent, the insistent beeping of the machine grows louder the longer no one talks.

Like what?

After what feels like ten minutes I decide to give up my façade and release a soft whisper, like I’m just stirring from sleep.

“Mackenzie?” My voice is called and I slowly open my eyes. Beau is sitting in the chair next to the hospital bed, Sy standing by the door.

“How did it go?” I take stock of my body, but can barely lift my head. The drugs are doing their job. Even my face is numb.

“Everything ran smoothly. They were able to reset your arm.”

I don’t answer, but nod as I try to move myself up to a sitting position. “When can we go?” I look toward Sy and see him quietly assessing me.

Oh, God. He scares me.

“Tomorrow. They want you to stay the night here, and then once you receive the all clear, we’ll be on the road.” Beau stands and passes me the remote to control the bed.

“I’m gonna go check in with Nix. Be back.” Sy turns and leaves us alone.

“I don’t think he’s too happy,” I murmur, more to myself than Beau.

“He has his head up his ass over his woman. Just ignore him. I do.” He rests back in his chair and stretches his feet out in front of him. Faded jeans, scuffed boots. I don’t say anything for a few minutes, until I can’t help but want to engage with him.

“Beau, why do you do this? Help women.” He regards me for a long while, and I wonder if I’ve overstepped some line I didn’t know was drawn.

“Ten years ago, someone close to me lost their life because she didn’t leave.” His face darkens, his brow dipping low, and then he shakes his head clear. Like he can’t believe he just shared a little of himself.

“I’m sorry to hear that, Beau.”

“Nothing to be sorry about. Now get some sleep. We have a long day tomorrow.” He shuts down any more chances for me to talk. Deciding sleep sounds appealing, I rest my head back and let my eyes fall shut. He’s not leaving. I’m safe.

“Beau,” I call one last time, hoping he answers.

“Yeah?”

“I bet your special someone would be proud you do this.” I hope to offer him some kind of peace.

“Thanks, darlin’. I hope so.” His reply is soft, gentle and if you could breathe hope from my words alone, you’d swear he was trying.

“I know so,” I whisper just before sleep takes me.

Twenty

Beau

Hunter: Just got here. All good.

Me: Thanks

I reply back to Hunter’s text, feeling a little lighter knowing I can stay focused now there are eyes on her.

“Was that Mackenzie?” Jesse leans over the cab of the van trying to check my phone like a fucking nosey old woman.

“Will you just watch the damn road?” I pocket my phone, close my eyes and rest back into the chair.

“Well, aren’t you in a chirpy mood tonight.” He scoffs when I don’t play along.

“Don’t know what you’re talking about.” I keep my eyes closed and don’t fall for his bullshit. He’s right. I’m far from fucking chirpy. I had plans tonight. Plans that included my cock in Mackenzie’s pussy, maybe try to work her up a little more, have her coming on my face again. After her first orgasm last night that revealed a little something extra, I wasn’t able to get her back there. Instead, I’m stuck on a fucking run with Jesse.

“So how is everything with Mackenzie?” I tense, wondering if he knows, but relax when I realize there would be no way.

“Off limits.” He laughs at my reply, still not getting a clue. There’s no fucking way I would ever talk to this asshole about Mackenzie.

“So fucking whipped.”

“You really wanna go there, Jesse?” I counter, ready to pull every fucking thing he has done the last seven months since Bell’s been on the scene.

“I have no problem going there, Beau. Unlike you, I own it. Yes, I’m pussy whipped. I don’t give a fuck who knows it.” I ignore the smartass and start counting down the hours I have left with the fucker.

“The girls are having a night out next weekend,” he says after a few minutes.

“Why would I care?”

“Oh, didn’t Mackenzie tell you? She’ll be there too.”

“Shut the fuck up, Jesse, you’re starting to piss me off.” I don’t bite like he wants me to, but I store the info in the back of my mind to bring up later. I don’t give a fuck if Mackenzie goes out, but the club will have eyes on her. I still don’t trust her asshole ex. Even if it’s been over two months and there has not been one sighting of him. I’m just waiting for something to happen.

“Maybe she’ll pick up someone. I know a few of the guys around the club are keen on her.” Before he can add in another word, my left hand reaches out, grabbing him by the back of the neck.

“Seriously fucker, I’m about to kick you out and you can take your sorry ass home on your own.”

“I’m gonna fucking crash, asshole.” He laughs louder, rarely taking anything serious. I squeeze tighter, keeping my grip firm.

“Okay, I’ll quit it,” he relents. I give his neck one last squeeze before releasing him. I’m not fucking kidding. If he doesn’t quit it, he’s out.

He manages to keep quiet for another forty minutes before breaking the silence. Again.

“So, I’m thinking of asking Bell to marry me.” I let a few minutes pass to take in what he just said before commenting.

“You sure you’re ready?” It’s not like I want to question his reasons, but Bell and Jesse just dealt with some major shit. The last thing they need to be doing is rushing into marriage.