“You didn’t run out screaming, so you couldn’t have thought it was all bad.”
“Not until you returned from the dead, that is,” she counters, and I laugh.
“I’m glad you can laugh about this now,” she huffs.
“It is a little funny, come on, admit it.”
She smiles and it brightens my whole fucking life. Taking out my wallet, I leave enough cash to cover our food and slide out of the booth. Holding out my hand, it soothes me when she takes it and comes to stand at my side. Out on the street, I pull her against me and stroke her cheek.
“I’ve missed you, but I don’t know how we move past this,” she admits.
“Like this,” I murmur pressing my lips to hers.
So fucking soft, that hasn’t changed. She deepens the kiss, sweeping her tongue over mine. Sliding my hand around the back of her head, I make sure this isn’t over before it’s begun. Life has other plans as fucking always.
Motorcycles thunder down the street and I pull away, looking left then right. They’re not Lost Souls. The rider up front double glances my way and signals for his men, six of them, to slow. I’m not wearing my cut, but they know exactly who I am.
Fuck.
It doesn’t occur to me to run back inside the burger joint, showing weakness, but my head spins on ways to keep Phoebe out of the fight.
“Stay behind me, take my phone out of my back pocket, and text Luca. Tell him where we are and that seven Hogs have just rolled up.”
He’s knows I’m out with Phoebe tonight, not that he gives a shit. The front rider comes to a stop ten feet from me and grins.
“Wasn’t expectin’ to run into you, tonight,” he says, his hand going to rest on his gun at his side.
“Can’t say I give you any thought,” I retort.
His laughter is joined by his brothers. He quickly draws his piece and aims it at me. Phoebe lets out a squeak of fear, and I push her fully behind me.
“One dead Lost Soul is better than none,” he remarks.
“Is it? Or would it be a big fuckin’ mistake,” I grunt.
My heart jack hammers against my chest, but I keep my face straight and tip my chin.
“Seven on one ain’t nothing to boast about. But I mean, if you wanna do this, put your gun down and we’ll go one on one.”
His laughter grows louder, and he tries looking around me to Phoebe.
“Your old lady?”
“None of your fuckin’ business.”
“Date night. Burgers, blood, and death. Sounds like my kinda night,” another Hog boasts.
“Nah, you gotta get some of that pussy before the blood… unless you’re into that shit,” another hollers.
More laughter erupts and I fail to keep my breathing in check. My chest rises and falls in heavy cycles.
The front rider holds his hand up and they quieten. “You’re lucky you’re not alone. Some of my brothers wouldn’t care, but I still run by the old code.” He puts his gun away. “Next time, I shoot on sight.”
“Same.”
The front rider pulls off and his brothers follow. One sliding his finger across his throat as he passes.
I don’t unwind the tension until they’re out of sight, then I flag down the approaching cab.
