Nash: A Rough Romance by Piper Stone (book series for 12 year olds txt) 📕

is. You look like shit. I’ll lend you one of my razors.”

Scorpion.

The man who took no shit from anyone. The same man who I’d considered my best friend.

While I’d heard it said more than once that time healed all wounds, I could tell by the haunted look in his eyes that that wasn’t the case for any of us.

We all shared in the responsibility of Snake’s death.

And all five of us deserved whatever penance we’d be forced to face.

Maybe I was ready to do so after all.

Maybe…

Chapter 7

Mitch

Big. Bad. Burly. Men.

Now there were two of them.

They were both tall and rugged, the kind of overbearing hunks the majority of people would be afraid of just from looking at them. I could tell they were close, their body language indicating they’d been friends for a significant amount of time. I could also feel the tension.

As I was led into the cabin, the draw of the blazing fire was the first thing on my mind. I refused to allow the horrible thoughts of the men chasing us or the fact we’d almost been killed to linger in my mind. While the introductions had been made, the fact both men used nicknames indicated they remained planted in their past.

Reaper.

Scorpion.

I could only imagine the names of others in their unit.

“Your uncle’s place, huh?” Reaper asked as he stood in the middle of the living room.

Scorpion nodded, his gaze remaining on me. I could swear the roughhewn blond was looking right through me. “Yeah, Jasper hoped I would carry on with Raunchy Ride.”

“Does that mean you’re running a bar now?”

“It does. A few changes here and there. Tough going but I think I’m going to see a profit. We’ll see. I think both of you need to get warm. Why don’t I get us something to drink?” He didn’t wait for an answer from either one of us, his long strides taking him out of the room quickly.

Reaper studied the fire before motioning toward the couch. “You’re safe here.”

“A friend?”

He sighed before answering, a glazed look forming in his eyes. “A good one. Trustworthy.”

I tugged off my coat, my nerves frazzled. I’d never felt more alone in my entire life. While Reaper had risked his life, I remained cold inside, unable to process what we’d been through. I hated being emotional, the ugly visions of the shooters remaining in the forefront of my mind.

Reaper walked toward the fire, lowering his arms toward the flames. He was so quiet, as if the weight of the world was locked on his shoulders.

“Any idea what’s going to happen?” I finally asked as I eased onto the edge of the couch, still uncomfortable in my surroundings. I’d heard every word Reaper had said, the demands he’d made. I had made a deal with him but there was no way I could honor it. Obeying his every command? Who the hell did he think he was?

He saved your life.

The inner voice did little to soothe my aching body or mind.

He took his sweet time before answering me. “I’m going to find out as much as I can about Dante Giordani. Then we’re going to have a chat with the sheriff.”

“I’m not sure I can do that.”

“Why? Because you still care about him?”

His question was valid. Admitting I’d been such a childish fool in believing Dante’s lies gnawed at me. “I never actually cared about him. Yes, his overtures were incredible. Any girl would adore being fawned over. Gifts. Roses. The finest champagne. But nothing gave him the right to treat me like his possession.”

Reaper snorted. He continued to stare into the flames, obviously mesmerized by the raging fire. A man of few words, one as haunted as I remained.

“No woman should ever have to endure abuse on any level.” His words were laced with a deep conviction. Another layer to the man. Another reason to care about him.

I shoved my face into my hands, hearing Scorpion’s return a few seconds later.

“I don’t have a lot of room here. I guess the two of you will be fine with sharing a bed,” Scorpion chortled, the hard clinking of glasses on the coffee table forcing me to jump. “Okay, the little lady is skittish. So, you wanna tell me what the hell is going on?”

The way Reaper exhaled was fraught with anger as well as exasperation. He was definitely finished with my guarded answers.

“It would appear that Mitch is being chased by one motherfucking asshole.”

There was a flat-line to Reaper’s voice and while Scorpion laughed, all I wanted to do was tune out the details. I took one of the glasses from the table, not even caring what kind of liquor had been provided. The cold, hard chill from the entire day lingered, clawing at me like long fingers of some wicked witch. My teeth chattered as I brought the glass to my lips, vaguely aware that Reaper was giving a play by play of what we’d been through.

And the story I’d told him.

My hand shaking, I managed to take guarded sips, my throat still half closed.

“You’re never going to get away from me, Michelle baby.”

He laughed after issuing the words, his glare as hard and cold as the night I’d seen him kill a man in cold blood.

I struggled against the strong hold of the two goons who had me by the arms, terror slithering through every cell and muscle. “Fuck you.”

“Aren’t you a filthy little girl?” Dante asked, swirling the drink in his hand as he glared at me. “We’ll need to do something about that.”

“You’re a monster.”

“Yes. Yes, I am. That’s something you need to remember the next time you think you’re getting away from me.”

I shuddered as the memory of his laugh filtered into my system, the sound echoing. He’d actually allowed me to leave that night, although his evil promise was something that would haunt me every night.

“If you think anyone is going to be able to save you, you’re wrong. They will find a