“I’m sorry,” she murmurs, her voice barely audible. She casts one more glance at Rose before turning and rushing back to her car, starting the engine, and driving away.
I peer at Viper. He has that stupid-ass grin on his face.
Rose walks past me and gets into the truck, so I take that as a sign to get out of here. She’s sitting back in her seat, looking out the window.
“Are you all right?” I ask.
Her eyes glisten with tears. “It still hurts losing someone who I thought was a friend.”
I reach over and put an arm around her, and she sobs into me. Each tear, each sound, tears me up. I wait for her sobs to quieten, and she leans back in her seat with red, raw eyes. She sniffles. “We can go now. I just needed to let that out. It’s hard coming to the realization that I never meant anything to her, and now I have to mourn a person who’s still alive.”
I can’t relate. The MC men have always had my back, and I’ve never had to question their loyalty.
Tires screeching behind us makes me turn around. It’s a Honda SUV—it’s Rose’s ex. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I mumble under my breath.
Rose looks behind us. Her eyes are wide at first but then they narrow into slits.Good.She’s angry.
I feel the tension gripping me, holding me tightly, but I take some deep breaths. I need to get my shit together... for Rose... for the club. I can’t let everyone down.
Viper is off his bike and standing in front of Tyler, not letting him through. Tyler is shouting, but I can’t hear what he’s saying.
Rose gets out of the truck and slams the door, so I get out and meet her at the back, then step forward so that I’m in line with Viper.
“Rose,” the loser says as his eyes well up with tears. “Please come back home, stay with me. We can work it out.” He clasps his hands together in front of him as if he’s praying. “I need you.”
My hands clench and unclench by my sides. He has caused her so much pain.
Rose has her hands on her hips. “You don’t want me—you want a maid. You can’t even respect me enough to abide by my wishes and not be here. Instead you cause a scene.”
The man drops to his knees. I stifle a laugh.
“I’m sorry, I fucked up.” His voice twists with agony. “I won’t cheat on you again. We can make it work. I’ll try harder.”
“Hell no! I’m moving on.” Rose gives me a quick glance, then looks back at him. “I suggest you do the same. Hell, you can screw anyone now. I thought you’d be happy about that.”
His face turns red and he abruptly stands. He doesn’t like Rose having a voice. “Moving on”—he turns his nose up at me—“with a biker? A criminal?”
My heart races. My teeth clench. I take a step forward. Viper casually puts a hand on my shoulder and squeezes it, signaling for me to chill.
Rose laughs. It’s light and unrestrained. The tension rushes out of me.
“Oh, Tyler.” She clicks her tongue. “Rage has shown me what a real man is. You will never compare.”
His mouth drops open.
I grin.
“Oh, whatever,” he spits, and we watch him storm back to his car and take off, his tires screeching once more, leaving a sharp burning-rubber smell.
Viper pumps his hand in the air. “Go Rose, go Rose!” he cheers.
She smiles at him, and I see her body relax. I put my arm around her waist. “I’m proud of you.”
She looks up at me. “Thank you for letting me handle it.”
I didn’t lash out for once, but if Viper wasn’t here, I’m not sure if I would have been able to stop myself. But hey—I’m trying. “Time for a fresh start,” I say. She’s strong, she deserves to have people in her life who treat her right.
Her face softens. “Yes. I need it.”
