Scarred by Amber Lynn Natusch Read Free Book Online Page B

just make sure we take him out before he gets any of us, and then we won't have to worry about these annoying little details.”
    “Sounds great to me,” I said, pulling away from him. “So are you staying here, or am I taking you home?”
    “Home,” he said with a smile. “I feel better there—with or without you around.”
    “Then let's go,” I said, leading the way downstairs.
    He eased himself down the stairs carefully as I followed dutifully behind. I knew he wanted to make a show of how strong he was, so I let him, but regardless of how much my presence sped his healing, that wound was no joke. He wasn't going to be up to snuff the rest of the night.
    When we arrived downstairs, we found that everyone had amassed in the kitchen. Jay and the PC boys were pilfering the pantry while Peyta and Ronnie fussed over something cooking on the stove. Sean stood just outside the room, as if he was on watch.
    Always watching.
    “Are we postponing our meeting?” he asked, arms crossed tightly over his chest.
    “I hadn't planned on it,” I replied. “I have to take Cooper home though. He really needs to rest.”
    “He's not staying here?” Peyta cried out from the kitchen.
    “I'm going home, P. I'll see you tomorrow. I promise,” he said, making his way in to gingerly hug her.
    “Fine,” she agreed, though she seemed unable to let go of him until he reached behind his back and physically unclasped her hands. I saw the tiny beads of sweat forming around the edge of his hairline as he peeled her away.
    “I'm okay, Peyta...thanks to you.” He kissed her on the forehead before heading to the door. “Ready to go, Rubes?”
    I looked at Sean for confirmation and received an absentminded nod in return.
    “I'll be home in ten minutes. See you there,” he said, turning his attention back to the kitchen. I felt slightly dismissed, but he was in business mode. He had plans to make and orders to give, so I decided it was best to let it go and take Cooper home. We’d already had a long night, and my meeting with Sean wasn't going to be any shorter if he was in a pissy mood.
    After making our way outside, Cooper and I filed into the car and sped off to town. I was feeling generous, so I let Cooper carefully shift the gears while I worked the clutch. It was the closest I would let him get to actually driving the new TT. I was a little overprotective of her and he wasn't a fan of my new “no sharing” policy.
    “You'd think that nearly dying would warrant a turn in the driver's seat,” he said, pouting next to me.
    “Nope,” I returned, “and do you know why? Because I'm not trying to die tonight too. I know how fast you used to take corners in the old one. I want to live; besides, Sean would be pissed if you killed me tonight. He needs me for some covert op of sorts.” I flashed him a toothy grin in the dimly lit car. The scoff I received in return let me know what he thought of my reasoning.
    “Covert op, eh? You'd be about the worst secret agent the world has ever seen, Ruby. You walk louder than an elephant with foot-drop, and your powers of observation are nearly nonexistent,” he cited. “Sounds like Sean might be trying to off you himself.”
    “Jealousy doesn't suit you, Coop,” I quipped. “You’re not used to being the last kid picked, I take it.”
    “If Sean is the one doing the picking, that's just fine with me,” he said, folding his arms delicately over his chest.
    “Whatever,” I sighed, feeling more exhausted by the minute. “He just wants me to work Beauchamp for info regarding the Rev. They're doing damage control right now and don't have people in all the right places to do it. Alan knows things...Sean wants to know what.”
    “Exactly how hard are you going to ' work ' Alan?” he asked, his tone implying everything he was thinking.
    “Jesus, Cooper, Sean's not my pimp! I'm not whoring around to get some pillow talk goodies to bring back to him,” I shouted, staring over at him.