Page 48 of Jett

“Like you pity me.”

“I’m not lookin’ at you like that, darlin’. I’m thinkin’ you might just be the strongest woman I ever met. Definitely stronger than any one of my club brothers.”

“Now I know you’re lying.”

“I ain’t lyin’. I’m a lot of things, but I ain’t ever been a liar.”

“I don’t think of myself as strong. I just do what I have to do.”

“Yeah, I see that.”

We spend another half hour with her husband and for the most part, I put on a brave face, but inside I’m fucking fuming. I’m furious at the universe for creating someone as incredible as Raine, and giving her nothing but shit to wade through her whole life.

When we leave, she kisses him goodbye as if she were kissing him goodnight—a sweet peck to the forehead. “I’ll see you soon.”

He groans and raises his hand off the bed, patting her hand with his. She looks down at their hands and smiles, but the pain in her bright blue eyes is obvious. When we leave the nursing home, she hurries out the front door and throws her head back, tilting her face up to the afternoon sun. Her lids are closed, and tears leak from the corners of her eyes. “I just, I need a minute.”

“You and me both.”

She takes a deep breath and exhales in a rush. She said she needed space, but I can’t give it to her, not right now. I grab her arm and turn her to face me. Then I squeeze her so tight I don’t know how her ribs don’t break. She melts into me, quietly sobbing against my chest.

“I’m sorry.”

“You got nothin’ to be sorry about, babe.”

“I’ve ruined your shirt.”

“I have more.”

“Now you see why we can’t ever be.” Her words are muffled against my cut, but I hear them clear as a fucking bell. “Why I ran from your room after Mia died.”

“You mean after I forced you to make me come?”

“You didn’t—I should have stopped you, but I didn’t want to.”

I grasp the back of her head and exhale. “I was out of my mind, Raine. I wanted to touch you, to fuck you. Hell, I ain’t gonna lie. I still do want all those things, babe, but I never should have taken it that far—not then, and maybe not now.”

“I love my husband.”

“I know. You don’t have to convince me of that. I could see it clear as day, and I get why you’d want to keep it from me and the club. You had to take care of him. But who’s taking care of you?”

She pulls away a little and stares up at my face. “I am.”

“Come on. I’m gonna take you to dinner before I drive you home.”

“That would be nice.”

I lead her over to my bike and hand her the helmet Grim had given her. She slips it on, and I help to buckle the straps beneath her chin. I’m not taking any risks with her safety. I climb on the bike and rev the engine. My heart gives a little lurch when she slides on behind me and wraps her arm around my waist, because I could get used to this. I wouldn’t just go to ground for this woman, I’d hand over my fucking gavel for her too. I’d walk away from the club I built from the ground up for just one shot at forever with her.