Rafferty
Isteeredmytruckdown San Jose Boulevard fighting a smile. Alexandra knew if I told Blood what happened to her all hell would break loose. Not that Cal wouldn’t let all hell break loose, but as Vice President of the Jacksonville chapter for so many years, Blood was far more methodical in doling out vengeance.
It wasn’t ideal to threaten her with telling Blood, because I wasn’t sure I’d follow through on it, but it did the trick. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Brantley. He may not have hurt Lex directly, but to pull the shit he did, he needed a lesson. As I turned onto the street with Uncle Cal and Aunt Mallory’s house, I wondered if teaching Brantley a lesson was the best use of my time.
For the first time in what felt like years, neither Lex nor I had anyone in our lives. She was in the midst of getting her degree in dentistry, but I’d known for quite a while… I didn’t want anyone else but her.
Everyone thought I kept her at a distance because of the bullshit falling out we had in high school. I never said anything to correct that, but I kept her at arm’s length so she could determine if what she said was actually what she wanted.
She’d been so damned adamant talking to my sister, thinking I wasn’t around to overhear her. ‘No MC life for her. No way would she become her mom and marry a biker.’
I’d known from the time I could put a full sentence together that I’d be just like Dad. Nothingbutthe MC life for me. And until I’d heard Alexandra’s adamant declaration, I’d been pretty certain she’d be the person at my side.
Alexandra’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. “What time will you be here in the morning? Monday morning rush hour sucks, but if we take San Jose south through Fruit Cove we’d be going against the flow of traffic.”
Part of me wanted to spend the night at her parents’ house, but that was overkill. The clubhouse was a fifteen minute drive, so there wasn’t any need to stick close.
“Whatever time you want me to be here, I’ll be here,” I said, parking my truck in front of the privacy fence surrounding what I knew was a kick-ass pool, patio, and backyard.
The way she smiled at me right then…I wished I had a picture of it. Despite the swelling and bruising on her face, her eyes were lit with an expression like she thought I could move mountains for her. There was a tinge of something else there - it looked almost like regret. “God. I’m gonna owe you so much, Tee. Thanks again for coming to get me. I’d have been waiting forever—”
I put my finger to her lips again, this time wishing it were my lips instead. “You’re more than welcome, Lex. Let’s get you those painkillers.”
“Where are you goin’?” Uncle Cal grumbled when I stepped toward the foyer.
He’d just given Lex one helluva bear hug, and now Aunt Mallory was swaying back and forth while hugging her.
With my eyes on Cal’s, I tipped my head toward the front door. “Gonna give you all some privacy.”
“Get your ass over here,” he ordered, reaching out for a handshake.
I took his hand, but he yanked me forward and clapped me on the back hard enough I fought off a wheeze.
At my ear, he murmured, “Thanks for bringing her back safe. Don’t know why you’re runnin’ off, but stick around if you can.”
He let me go and I nodded.
Aunt Mallory had let go of Alexandra and she rushed to me. “Oh, Raff, I’m so glad you were able to get to her fast.”
This felt really weird, how effusive she was with me. I’d never seen her like this… then I realized she knew more than any of us that the whole day could have been far more tragic.
I shook my head and gave her a light hug. “It was no problem, Aunt Mallory. Really.”
She smiled up at me. “Well, you’re staying for dinner right? That won’t be for a few hours yet, but you can run the pool table on my husband. He needs a challenge.”
Alexandra sidled up between her parents. “I’m sure Rafferty has somewhere else to be. There’s probably a woman wondering where he’s been.”
I stared into her hazel eyes. “I don’t.”
Those eyes closed for a beat. “You don’t?”
A small grin played at my lips. “Nope. Free as a bird, right now.”
Cal glanced at Aunt Mallory. “I’m gonna get the marinade ready for the steaks.”
She glanced at Alexandra. “I’m going to get some towels for your bathroom. I ran out of time earlier. A hot bath might be good for your headache, sweetie.”
Alexandra watched her mom leave the room, then her eyes locked with mine. “Well, even though you’re free as a bird, you aren’t obligated to spend time with me.”
