Page 189 of Rags's Awakening
“Life’s too fuckin’ good for him,” he gritted, the edge in his voice, lethal. “The fuckin’ government’s protecting him from me. If I’d gotten to your place five minutes earlier, he wouldn’t be breathing air. I would’ve killed him myself for putting his hands on you.”
Casey turned around in his embrace. She framed his face with her hands. “I know you would have,” she whispered.
“I fuckin’ let you down,” he muttered.
“No, you didn’t. Don’t ever think that,” she said. “You came right when I was ready to lose it.”
“You didn’t want to blow him away, did you? I know you could’ve. You’re a good shooter.”
“I’m glad he didn’t try and come at me again, because I would’ve killed him. But having to live with that would’ve been tough.” She sighed. “I’m just glad it’s behind us.”
“We’re gonna have to go out to the shooting range and fire some rounds.” The harshness in his face relaxed. “I can’t believe I lucked out with having an ol’ lady who can blow someone away.”
Casey chuckled. “I never thought learning how to shoot a gun would be a quality, but I should’ve figured it would be with an outlaw.”
Rags laughed. “It’s not only an asset, it’s sexy as hell.”
She shook her head. “Whatever.”
His eyes scanned her face. “Whaddaya doin’ out here alone?”
“I was feeling a bit overwhelmed. You know, with all the other old ladies’ names and who’s paired up with which brother.”
“It’ll come. Belle, Cara, and Addie are your go-tos, They’re helpful and patient.”
“Belle’s the president’s woman, right?”
“Yeah. Cara goes with Hawk, the vp, and Addie’s Chas’s woman. It’s a lot to know so soon.”
Casey nodded, cutting her eyes toward the corner of the patio. Two old ladies were huddled together, throwing sharp, critical glances her way and talking behind manicured hands.
“Those two by the cooler,” she said, tilting her chin in their direction. “They’ve been staring and talking about me since we got here. Am I doing something wrong?”
Rags didn’t even look over. He tightened his grip around her waist. He let out a low chuckle. “Don’t waste any time on them. They’re bitter, old-school gossips.”
“What are their names?”
“Doris and Marlena. They live for drama. They’re a pain in the ass.”
“Who are their men?”
“Rueben and Billy. Their older patches. Their old ladies hate the younger ones.” He laughed. “Like I said, drama.” He kissed her temple. “You’ve got my patch on your back, Case. Let ’em whisper.”
Tension evaporated from her shoulders. “Well, if they keep staring, we might have to give them something to gossip about. Like how fast you can get me out of here and back against your Harley’s seat.”
Rags’s eyes darkened as a low growl rumbled in his chest. His hands slid down to grip her hips, pulling her flush against him so she could feel what her teasing was doing to him.
“Careful, Case,” he murmured, a dangerous, possessive smirk touching his lips. “Keep talking like that, and I’ll be taking you right here on the grass.”
Casey laughed against his lips as he leaned down, capturing her mouth in a deep kiss that shut out the rest of the world.
“Aren’t you gonna get some chow, dude?”
Casey pulled away and looked over her shoulder. She smiled when she sawThrottle. Rags tugged her close to his side, his arm looped tight around her.
“Did you cook it?” he asked.
“Some of it.” Throttle grinned.
