Page 43 of Animal's Reformation
“I know. Okay, if I’m really interested in a guy, I’ll let you do a background check on him.”
“That’s all I’m asking.” Silence fell between them, then he cleared his throat. “I gotta get going. You good?” he asked.
“I will be. Thanks for caring.”
“Fuck, you’re my little sister. Call me if you need anything.”
“I will.”
“Later.”
Animal clicked off the connection and stared at the blank screen for a long time. Katie’s face kept floating through his mind. He’d just seen her and now she was dead—brutally murdered by some fucked-up excuse for a human being. It wasn’t like violence or brutal atrocities were alien to him. Living in an outlaw world, he’d learned to appreciate each day and look behind his back constantly. Death was always imminent, but that was the price each member of the Insurgents paid to live their life by their own rules—a lifestyle they were prepared for and would fight to the death for—but poor Katie was like a lamb going to the slaughter. She wasn’t in tune with the dangers that lurked in the shadows, always waiting to seek and destroy the unwary. Life could be so fucked up.
Animal slid his phone back into his pocket and made his way back to the main room. He’d have to make sure Lucy was always safe, and he could already anticipate the fights they’d have when she started dating. Thankfully that was many years from now, but no matter what, he’d always keep his daughter safe. He had to—that’s what fathers did. For a brief moment, Animal wondered if Katie’s father felt like he failed her because he wasn’t able to protect her.
Bones, Smokey, and Klutch were still at the table, but Charlotte and Lola had joined them. The women waved at Animal when he approached, and Lola grabbed his hand and pulled him down on the chair.
“Long time, baby,” she cooed into his ear.
Moving away, he nodded. “Yeah—been busy.”
Undaunted, Lola scooted closer. “Then you must be real tense, baby. I can relax you real good, you know that.” She pressed her lips against his cheek.
Animal gently pushed her away. “Not now. Maybe later—I’m staying for the party.”
Smokey raised his head up and stared at him. “What the fuck?”
Without answering, Animal took out his phone again and started fiddling with it, ignoring Smokey’s hard gaze on him.
Lola raked her fingers through his hair. “Okay, baby. I’ll look for you tonight.” She turned to Klutch and brushed up against him.
Animal just wasn’t feeling it. After all the bravado talk he’d given himself back at the house, he just wasn’t down for it.Maybe tonight. The thing about Katie killed it.But he knew that was BS. What had killed it was his pretty neighbor who looked so beautiful and sexy in the sunlight.
Wanting to get a head start on his plan to get good and drunk that night, Animal motioned to Hog for another shot.
