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15

Rye

I haven't heard from Bee all day, and I'm about to lose my mind.

She said she was going to talk to the girls at her club and even though I'm not exactly happy about the arrangement, I can't deny that I need the help.

Rye and Barley is everything I've worked for in my life.

Still, I'm not used to being on the receiving end of assistance. That's my job.

My savior complex is itching at the back of my brain.

It's only right then that I realize Bee doesn't need saving, and it doesn't make me want her any less. She can leave me in the dust, going on with her life and be good. I'll probably lose my shit, but at least I know she'll be okay.

This is the first time that I can remember really having strong feelings for someone who viewed me as a member of her team and not just someone to swoop in and save the day.

It's freeing.

I lean up to stretch before leaning back down to soak the scouring pad in my hand. Even after Bee left, I stayed in the bar to clean up the walls. It's a bunch of gibberish spray-painted up here, but the message is clear, Sonny is telling me he's not through with me.

Every time I have any dealings with that man, it makes me regret I was ever desperate enough to need to take money from him. It doesn't matter that I've paid him back in full already. The man is like a filthy stain on my soul that refuses to wash away.

I knew what I was getting into when I let him put that money in my hand. I just prayed that it'd be long over by now.

My arms are hurting, and my fingers are already blistering but I need to get this done. I don't want Sonny or that bastard Evan to think that he's won. Besides I've got a lot of extra energy to get rid of.

Bee and I never finished what we started last night and my body knows it. We were so close. Fuck I can almost feel her hands on my body now. The way she moaned and said my name. God. Fucking. Damn. It.

I launch the scrubber at the wall and throw my head back on a growl. I need to get her off my mind.

I don't think I'm going to be able to. Not until I feel her soft body against mine again.

On the other hand, part of me actually hopes that she doesn't show back up. That she thinks my drama is too much for her to handle. I won't fault for her if she does. It's actually better that way, it just means that she won't get hurt.

Of course, I know that the possibility of her staying back and just letting me handle it on my own is slim to none she already told me that she was as committed to getting to the bottom of this as I was.

That means having to deal with the fact that she might get hurt.

Before I can think too much about that I hear the sounds of engines pulling up to the front of the bar. The sign out front clearly says I'm closed so whoever is out there isn't here for a drink.

I thought I had more time. Thought I would be prepared the next time Evan or someone else decided to show up.

Quickly I look around the place trying to find a weapon that I can use to protect myself. It sounded like a few engines, meaning a few people.

I rush over to the bar and see if my gun is still hidden away. Thankfully it is. I take it out and wait.

I don't have to wait long.

I lift my weapon and aim it at the door as it swings open with force.

"You better be ready to pull that trigger if you're going to keep that gun in my face." A woman with dark hair and light eyes seethes at me.

I blink a few times. This isn't what I was expecting. I look down at her clothes and realize that she's wearing a vest. Right on the chest is a patch that says Eve's Fury.

Fury is right. I can feel the anger pulsing off this woman standing in front of me in waves.

She's with Bee. A friend. Not an enemy.

Quickly I lower the weapon and take my finger off the trigger. "You'll have to forgive me. I've had a trying night." Now that I know none of them are here to hurt me I go back and replace the weapon behind the bar.

"So it's true, then? Bee said your place was ran through last night." She looks around the place as if to take stock of exactly what happened.

"I'm not sure why she would lie about something like that?" I eye her warily. It's obvious she's trying to dig for information but I don't have time to play twenty questions. "Did you need something?"

"Yeah, I'm trying to see if you're real or not? Bee seems to think we can trust you and after all you've done for her, I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, but if there's something more that we need to know I'd prefer not to be surprised."

She's straight out asking me if I had anything to do with this. Not with her words but the tone.

"There's nothing for you to find out. I'm assuming Bee has told you everything about my history with Sonny?" She nods, so I continue, "Then that's all you need to know. On another note, I never asked her to help. I appreciate it but if this doesn't sit right with you, please spare me the suspicion and just go on with your day."

The corner of her lip hitches up, and she looks away from me as if she doesn't want me to see her reaction.

"No suspicion, just being cautious. We're here to help. I've got some of the guys out front if you need anything fixed." She looks up at me, waiting to see what I'm going to say. I don't want to be rude, but in the same breath I'm already uncomfortable with just her here.

"That's okay. I'm good." I nod and shove my hands in my pocket. The raw parts of my hands scrape against the fabric of my jeans. I really should accept the help. I don't know why it's so hard for me to do that.

"Suit yourself."

As she's turning to leave the bar, the door opens again and another woman walks in. She looks like Bee but different. A little older. This must be the sister.

"You're Rye?" She questions. She's seen me before when she's come over to pick her sister up, but this is the first time that she's ever taken the time to speak with me.

"Yeah, we met at the farmer's market." I guess it makes sense for her not to remember. All the girls were focused on Bee. She's all they cared about.

That's how it should be.

She nods once, and before I can react, she's coming up to me and wrapping me up in a tight hug.

"Thank you. Thank you for saving my sister when I couldn't." She presses a kiss to my cheek before she backs away, leaving me completely bewildered.

"Talk about keeping it in the family."

Instantly, I take a step away and look over the woman's shoulder to see Bee standing at the door. A smirk on her face.

"Don't be an ass." The woman in front of me snaps at her sister. She walks to the door, hip bumping Bee before she leaves us.

"Your family is serious about your safety." I say when it's just Bee and me alone.

"Of course they are. That's what family does." Bee saunters over to me, and I'm already on a hundred. I need to calm myself down.

"I wouldn't know. I've never had family like that."

"Now you do." Bee wraps her arms around my neck and presses her body against mine. "You've been busy." She looks around.

"Trying to keep occupied." I reply, my hands dipping lower against her hips. I give a little squeeze, trying hard not to overstep the bounds. Trying so hard.

"Maybe it's time for a break?" Her eyebrow goes up.

"Aren't they expecting you to go back with them?" I question knowing where this is already leading.

"No, they have a few other stores to hit up. They don't need me for that. I'm all yours."

All. Mine.

It's like the feral part of my brain completely takes over and I don't give a fuck about the bar or Sonny or any vandalism. All I can think about is her saying she's all mine.

Cleaning can wait. What can't wait is my need for her. If she's giving herself to me I'm going to take until there's nothing left.