Page 62 of My End

“Sweetheart,” I called and stepped toward her.

She didn’t break stride. Just hugged the canvas tighter to her chest and stormed down the steps like she was on a mission.

“I’m not leaving without this,” she swore, defiant as hell.

She turned the canvas to face me, and I felt like I’d been gut-punched.

It was the painting.

Of me.

All shadows and light. A look in my eyes I didn’t recognize until now. Vulnerability. Strength. Something she’d seen long before I let myself see it.

“You’re gonna have me. The real thing,” I said and tried to keep my voice steady. “You don’t need the painting.”

She shook her head hard. “The painting comes with us on the bike, or I am walking.”

I stared at her. At the oversized bag, at the delicate way her fingers curled around the canvas like it was her lifeline.

I chuckled and rubbed the back of my neck. “You’re not going to get very far on foot.”

“Then you better let me on the bike,” she countered.

I grinned.

Fucking hell, I loved her.

“Let’s go.” I got on the bike, and she slid on behind me with the canvas between us. This bike did not have as much room as my Harley, though I wasn’t sure a big-ass canvas would have fit on the Harley either.

I knew we looked ridiculous, but I didn’t have time to argue with Tilly about bringing the damn painting.

The gates were just ahead—freedom. Freddie was just going to need to buzz us through, and we would be on our way to the clubhouse.

My hope died quickly when the gate came into view, and Kevin was standing on front of it.

“Fuck,” I muttered.

“What is it?” Tilly asked. She couldn’t see anything past that damn painting.

I rolled to a stop ten feet from Kevin and killed the bike. “Just stay behind me,” I said to Tilly. I slid off the bike, and Tilly dropped the painting to the side.

“Going somewhere?” Kevin asked. His was tone casual, but his eyes were sharp.

“Yeah,” I said. “We’re leaving.”

“Boone didn’t say shit about you leaving. Or her.” He lifted his walkie. “I think I better check in.”

“Fucking try it, and I’ll shove that walkie-talkie down your fucking throat,” I said and stepped forward slowly.

Tilly stayed by the bike with the canvas hugged to her chest like it could shield her from what was coming.

Kevin tilted his head. “Why so tense, Stretch? Thought you were just the muscle. Hired help. Didn’t know bodyguards got to ride off into the sunset with the boss’ sister.”

I took one more step forward. “You gonna move, or are you gonna make me move you?”

Kevin raised a brow. “That supposed to scare me?”

“No,” I said. “This is.”