Page 23 of Property of Brute & Axl
“My frog.”
Brute’s glower shuts down anyone about to laugh when we notice their lips quirk.
“Sure. Anything else?” Neo scratches the back of his neck as Oly joins him.
“Clean the tank?” She poses it as a question, but my look makes it clear it’s a demand he’ll comply with.
“Consider it done.”
Finleigh offers a genuine smile as she steps close and squeezes his arm in thanks. “I really appreciate it. No one has been taking care of him while I’m gone, and I’m worried about him.” She walks away before he can respond.
“Are we sure it’s not dead?” Neo murmurs low enough that she doesn’t hear him.
Gripping his shoulder, I mutter in his ear, “For the sake of your life, you better hope he isn’t.” He makes a loud gulping sound as we walk away, laughing at the fear-stricken expression on his face.
“You know he’ll be shitting his pants if that frog's dead in the morning.” Brute chuckles as we enter the clubhouse.
“Yup.” I’ve always gotten a kick out of instilling the fear of God into the prospects. Especially those two idiots.
Glancing around the room, I don’t see our girl. Viking points upstairs, and I share a grin with Brute. I don’t know how or why this one memory has changed her attitude, but I’m sure glad it has.
“Time to claim our woman,” Brute says as he leads the way.
We take the stairs at a run, skipping two or three steps at a time, slowing only when we reach our door to hear Finleigh humming to herself.
Opening the wood panel, we stand there, watching her shuffle around the room, searching the bookshelf that is honestly more sparse than full. She appears more relaxed than usual, growing more comfortable in not only our space but also around the guys in the club.
“I realize it’s not supposed to be easy, getting my memories back. There will be times it’s traumatizing, but right now, it feels like I have my whole world.” She looks at us with sadness in her gaze. “That’s pathetic, right? To have that one day be so prominent that it feels like the happiest time of my life. A baby and a frog and a friend to share them with.”
“Not pathetic.” I step into the room, and she meets me halfway, gliding straight into my arms. “Meaningful.”
The door closes with a soft click of the lock engaging, and Brute comes to our side. Lifting her chin with a finger, he says, “There’s nothing wrong with that being a memory you hold onto. That can be your starting point to bring the rest back.”
“A core memory,” she whispers, the sadness taking a step back. Leaning her head into my chest, a few minutes pass as she gathers herself again before muttering, “I really wish my body wasn’t so damn broken.”
Amused, I ask, “Why’s that?”
“These hormones are making me crazy.” Biting her lip, she draws back with a seductive look in her speckled hazel eyes, the amber hue more prominent. She takes a step away from us before turning and shimmying out of her pants, leaving her naked from the waist down.
A good man would remember she was assaulted and still healing.
A good man would walk away.
I’ve never been accused of being a good man, and her body’s siren call begs for the pleasure she knows only we can give her.
Chapter 14
Finleigh
I must be insane, teasing two men with a half-naked, bruised, and battered body when I don’t even remember our first time together. Yet somehow, it seems right in a way that hasn’t for too long. When their hands are on me, I feel nothing but safe. It’s hard to believe they would hurt me when they’ve been so patient thus far.
“You keep teasing like that, and we’re going to cash in.” Brute prowls behind me, trying not to grab me but allowing me the space and time to have my own fun.
“Maybe I want you to.” Shooting a coy look over my shoulder, he bares his teeth like an animal and reaches for the back of the sling on my arm.
“Stop running then.” He removes the harness and carefully lifts the sweater over my head, leaving me entirely nude.
“Maybe I like the chase.” Flirting comes naturally until an image flashes of the horrifying chase I did experience, and my mood shifts.