Page 141 of Bred

Which is why I hold my inner beast back with a tight leash. The need to own her in every possible way is so strong, it’s all I can do not to whisk her away and lock her up in a prison of her own that only I could get to.

Mine, always and forever.

Out of my fucking skull obsessed.

It was why I knew I had to make her mine the night we first met.

It’s why I know I need to make her mine forever now.

I just have to make sure I’m good enough for her first—or at least as close as I can be.

“When you know, you know,” I say much more simply since I’m not one to overshare my personal shit even with my closest friends.

“‘When you know, you know’,” Tommy mutters, shaking his head. “Well, congrats, dude. You’re batshit fucking crazy, but congrats.” He cleans up the beer he spit out on the desk, then with deft fingers he begins rolling a joint.

I raise a brow, amusement tugging at my lips. “Not a fan of the holy matrimony, Tommy?”

Tommy snorts. “Fuck no.” He cups his hands around the joint, lighting it with a zippo. “Marriage is death,” he says, exhaling a steady stream of smoke.

“That’s pretty adamant.” I say, waving him off when he offers the joint to me.

He shrugs, taking another drag.“My parents fucking hated each other. It might sound like a good idea until you realize you have to bang the same pussy for the rest of your days—or pay to not have to. I’d rather save my moneyandmy dick.”

“That’s a shitty fucking view of things.” I take a pull of my beer. “Me and West didn’t have any role models in the marriage department, either, but I saw the fierce devotion of some of the women who held down my friends when I was in lockup. There were some faithless shitheads, of course—there always are—but for some of them, their woman was their rock. They had that love when they really needed it. I think it made them closer in the end. That kind of steadiness doesn’t appeal to you?”

He shrugs, leaning back and exhaling a puff of smoke. “Why rely on one plate of pussy when you can go to the buffet?”

“I don’t know, man. I look at Brinley and she’s all I can see. I don’t want anyone else.”

Tommy makes a gagging noise. I laugh.

“Well,” Tommy sighs, stubbing out the bud on the bottom of his work boot before tossing it in the trash. “I still think you’re batshit crazy, but you have a job here for as long as you need it.”

I stand when he does. “I appreciate it.” Tommy knocks knuckles with me.

He follows me out of the shop, watching as I straddle my Harley.“You can start Monday.”

“Thanks again, Tommy. I owe you.” I kick down the stand and then the engine roars to life. Tommy gives me a short salute, then turns back to the garage, and I head home.

West’s truck is in the driveway when I get home. Taking off my helmet, I run a hand through my hair as I make my way inside.

After I left Tommy’s, I went to the store to get everything I need for dinner. Brinley texted me earlier to let me know that she’ll get off work a little early tonight. I hope to have it ready to go by the time she gets here.

I head to the kitchen to put everything away. I pull open the fridge and reach down inside the grocery bag when a flash of movement out the window catches my eyes.

I stop, watching as a streak of long red hair dashes across our backyard.

My eyes narrow. I could swear that looked like—

West’s curse sounds out, then I hear quick footsteps heading my way. My brother comes barreling around the corner, then freezes when he sees me.

“Hey.” His gaze darts to the window before coming back to rest on me. “You’re home early.”

I watch him through narrowed eyes as he rakes a hand through his hair, something he only does when he’s nervous.

He’s shirtless, his jeans only half-way zipped and unbuttoned, and his hair is tousled as if he just woke up.

It’s not unusual for him to bring a girl home, but it’s damned unusual for him to act so squirrelly about sneaking one out.