Page 57 of His Loyal Rebel

Chapter 20

Whip

Twyla sat across from Whip at the table in the clubhouse, ignoring the plate of lasagna in front of her. He took another bite, starving after not eating for the last eight hours.

"What's wrong with the food?" He took another bite.

Used to prison food and grabbing anything brought to the clubhouse, he'd eat about anything before turning down a meal.

"I'm not hungry." She glanced across the room at her sister with Ringtail.

At least one of them was having fun. Angie danced with the other women, either oblivious that her boyfriend had slept with them all or not caring.

"Did you eat at work?" He put the last bite in his mouth and leaned back in the chair.

Twyla sat straighter, frowning. The thin lines between her brow deepened. He wondered if she'd had a bad day at work. Usually, she was more willing to talk and hang out with him before they hit the bed.

"Are you using me to get Big to show up, so you can kill him?" she blurted.

He picked up his beer and took a swig, putting the bottle down on the table in front of him. She'd never come straight out and asked him how he'd protect her if faced with Big.

Without any hesitation, he said, "If Big showed up, I would kill him."

Twyla's mouth and eyes opened wider before she narrowed her gaze and pursed her lips. He wouldn't lie to her. Keeping the truth from her was for her protection. He couldn’t have her going off half-cocked, pissed at him, and run into Big when she wasn't prepared to protect herself.

"You never told me."

"Because there's nothing for you to worry about. I've got it handled," he added.

"Not worry? It's past that." She shoved her plate to the center of the table. "You're using me."

"We already had that discussion." He lifted his boot and put his ankle on his opposite knee. "You're here because I like you. I'm in your bed because I want you. I don't want to see you hurt. I'm not having sex with you because I think you owe me for staying here. I'm fucking you because I want you."

"You're using me," she repeated.

The hell of it was, she was right. He'd brought her here believing Cusclan would make a move, and Tarkio was in a better position on defending themselves with everyone around the clubhouse twenty-four/seven.

"There's bad blood between Tarkio and Cusclan." He glanced over at Priest, standing by the pool table, watching his MC brothers play a game. "They've never gotten along."

"Every time I've tried to go look for a place to rent, you've talked me out of it. I stayed because I believed you cared about me." Her throat muscles convulsed, and her chin tilted. "If I walked out right now and got in my car, would you make an effort to see me again?"

He leaned forward, feeling the tension come off her.