“Thumper,” Wylder grinds out in warning.
He lifts his hands to Wylder and moves another step back. “I was paying her a compliment. I meant no harm.”
“I know how you feel about women, brother. Would you say that shit if your nieces were here?”
Thumper shakes his head, looking remorseful for a second, before he drags his hand through his hair and blows out a breath. “I’m trying here, man. So much shit went down with her and Row?—”
“I know,” Wylder interrupts, finally releasing one of his fists and relaxing his fingers with a few wiggles down their length. “She was innocent, and you fucked up. You almost ended her life over nothing.”
Thumper grunts before responding. “We make mistakes sometimes. Shit happens.”
Shit happens? Mistakes? A mistake is putting on a pink top with brown pants. A mistake is not ending an innocent person’s life…my life.
“Say you’re sorry.”
My eyes widen. This should be good. Men like Thumper never apologize. It is damn near impossible for them to admit they are wrong about anything, and he just did that.
“You really like this girl, don’t you?” Thumper asks, the reality of the situation…of us…finally making its way into his dense brain.
“I do, and so do the girls.”
Thumper grumbles under his breath as his top lip curls. “Fuck.”
“Mom loves her too.”
If the nail wasn’t secure in the coffin yet, Wylder just gave it one final whack.
“Fuckin’ great,” Thumper mutters.
“Say you’re sorry,” Wylder demands.
“For what?” Thumper asks, being an asshole.
“I don’t need a fake and forced apology,” I say as I take a few steps forward and wrap my fingers around Wylder’s bicep. “It won’t change what happened.”
Wylder peers down at me, his eyes burning with anger, but I know none of it is pointed at me. “Princess, the man at least owes you an I’m sorry. You almost died.”
“I remember,” I tell him, brushing my fingers against his skin to try to calm the situation. “But I’m still here and breathing. Let it go.”
“Listen to the woman. I drove hours to do you a favor, and you’re hassling me about bullshit that happened years ago.”
“It was more than bullshit,” Wylder corrects him, and I can see this is going nowhere fast.
I have to step in and do something to get this shit moving, or we’ll be here all day while these two have a virtual pissing match. “Let’s save the talk for another day. We’re wasting time, Wylder. We need to get back to the city since I have to work this evening.Let Thumper give you the part, fix your baby, and let’s dip. The other shit can wait.”
Wylder blows out a long breath as a growl rumbles deep in his chest. “Fine,” he bites out. “But we’re going to have it eventually.”
Thumper mutters some stuff under his breath as he stalks toward the back of his bike to grab the part. I stay at Wylder’s side, continuing to keep a grip on his arm so we can get through the next few minutes without another incident. The sooner we get this interaction over with, the sooner we can be on our way back to civilization.
When Thumper hands Wylder the part, he says, “You want me to take her back with me?”
I study his face, trying to figure out if he’s kidding. He’s not laughing or smiling. He’s serious, which is crazy as hell. Why in the world would he think I’d go anywhere with him or that Wylder would let him take me?
“Fuckin’ no,” Wylder tells him. “She’s not leaving my sight, and she’s definitely not going anywhere with you.”
Thumper snarls at the response. “I wouldn’t hurt her. She’s your girl.”
Wylder barks out a loud, bitter laugh. “I’ll never trust you, brother.”
