Rage by Kaylee Song Read Free Book Online

satisfaction of telling her the truth.
    I slammed the door in her face and leaned against it, still listening.
    “What in the hell are you doing here?” He didn’t sound pleased to see her.
    “I thought I would surprise you with a casserole.”
    A casserole.  I really couldn’t get over that.  Audrey Canchola with a casserole in her grasping hands.  I actually wondered for a moment who had made it for her but Cullen’s response was a hell of a lot more interesting than figuring out what Audrey would do for an excuse to flirt.
    “I told you not to come back, Audrey,” he was saying.  “The last time was the last time.” He sounded tired, angry, like he had repeated himself more than once. 
    “But you always say that, baby.” I shuddered as I heard her voice trill on that last word.
    “Yeah, well, I mean it.  God, do all you women have to be in my shit today?”
    The way his voice cracked got my attention.  I tiptoed to the window and peeked out.  I watched Audrey reach for him and I swore he was about to fight her.  He tensed up, his jaw hardening.  Must’ve been enough, because she stopped.
    “No you don’t.  You never do.  Besides, you need comfort now more than ever, and I know she can’t give it to you.”
    “Quit being nebby, and don’t bring Layla into this.”
    “She’ll never love you, Rage.  Not like I can.  I remember how lost you were.  The hurt little puppy dog you turned into after she left.  But she isn’t back here for you.  She doesn’t want you.  I do.  Remember that.  She won’t do the things I do.”
    “That was a long time ago.”
    “I don’t know why you have her in your home.”
    “It’s her home, too.  Her brother left her his half.”
    “Are you together?”
    “That’s not your business.  Go fuck Bones.  Isn’t that what you’re doing now?”
    “She broke your heart once.  She’ll do it again.”
    “I told you that wasn’t up for discussion.”
    Did he still want me?
    I could almost hear her pout.  She hadn’t matured at all since high school.  “Neither is what me and Bones are doin’, Cul.”
    Can’t say I was exactly shocked.
    “Just leave.  Go.”

Chapter 4
    Cullen
    “I’m not in the mood to talk about it, Layla.” I said it before I even entered the house.  The last thing I wanted to do was talk to her about Audrey or Brandy or any of the women trying to use me to pull themselves up into the club.
    “Got it.”
    I doubted she wanted to talk, anyway, but I was too fucking pissed with Audrey to push at that door.
    “We need to talk about something a little more serious.” I broached the subject carefully, trying to choose my words.  I was good at negotiating with other gangs.  This would be no different.  Layla was just as tough as any of their leaders.  Always had been.  It was something Sean had been proud of.
    “What about?”
    “Your involvement with the club, and exactly how it is going to look.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “You’re here now, and to be honest, you’re going to be here for a long while.  Even if you don’t want to be.  I know it isn’t what you want, but it’s the way it is.” It was what was best, and she knew it.
    It was as sympathetic as I could pretend to be.  I wanted her here, wanted her close so that I could watch over her.  And because I’d realized that I wanted something from her that I wasn’t ready to define.
    Beyond making sure she was safe, I didn’t want to talk about it.
    She nodded.  Finally, something she couldn’t argue about.
    “I know.  So what do they want?”
    “They want you to come work for them.  It’ll give you some money in your pocket.”
    “We already talked about this, remember? I won’t do anything illegal.”
    “I know, Lala.  Mick insisted you never be involved in that shit.  They want you working for their legit club books and their garage accounts.  Everything is all legal.  I swear, Layla.  I wouldn’t let them if they weren’t