Tool’s face hardened. “Are you saying you’d kick me out of the club over a woman?”
“No, asshole,” Gypsy snapped, stepping in closer. “I’ll center punch you for screwing up my world because you can’t pull the fucking trigger.”
A ripple went through the group. The shuffling of boots against gravel, low murmurs passing between them. They all knew what this meant. They all remembered the last time Gypsy got this pissed.
When he dotted Crow’s eye over Lilly.
When he threw a chair at Dagger.
When Wrench threw his cut at him.
When he made Romeo hand his cut to Crow over Vega.
When Tabor had his meltdown over Echo—hell, Wick got shot because of that mess.
When Preacher got stabbed because of Jack Landry.
When Doc nearly died at the hands of Mercury’s ex-military psycho buddy.
And then there was Bones—who, for a while, seemed like the only one who hadn’t nearly gotten himself killed over a woman. Until Conlyn shot him.
Gypsy exhaled sharply, jaw tightening. Every fucking time.
He turned back to Tool. “Five minutes,” he repeated. “Tick tock.”
Chapter Seventeen
Brandi jumpedwhen the heavy knock shattered the silence of the room. Another knock, more urgent this time, had her moving to open the door.
She looked up—and straight into Tool’s dark brown eyes as he stared down at her.
“Brandi.” His voice was rough, thick with something she couldn’t name, as he took in her tear-drenched face.
“I didn’t mean to cause trouble,” she rushed out.
Tool pulled her into his arms, wrapping her tightly against his chest. “Shhh, it’s not your fault.”
“I couldn’t let those guys hurt Quinn’s sister,” she mumbled, her words muffled against him.
He slowly set her down, but his hands stayed firm on her waist, anchoring her in place.
“Look at me, babe.” His voice was steady. Commanding. His gaze locked onto hers. “What you did—what you were willing to do—most people wouldn’t have the guts for that. You stepped in. You were ready to save Quinn’s sister from something she might not have come back from. That takes strength.”
His thumb brushed gently over her cheek. His expression darkened. “Don’t ever forget that, Brandi.”
“Tool…”
“I’ve got to go. The brothers are waiting on me.”
“Wait—aren’t we going to talk?”
“I can’t right now.”
After everything, he was still holding her at arm’s length. Still refusing to treat her like his.
“I won’t be here when you get back,” she said quietly.
“You leave, and we’re done.”
