Page 19 of July 27

Standing close enough for him to see her but not invading his space while he had a cigarette, she watched him. He blew the smoke into the air and kept his gaze away from everyone outside.

The others talked in small groups, but nobody came over to Ruger. He also made no move to join them.

She'd learned fast that he was a loner. That surprised her, going off how much he loved his daughter.

She took a few more steps and stopped. Maybe he'd get angry having her show up out of the blue. Raking her teeth over her bottom lip, she wavered. She had an excuse. She could tell him how Knight was doing.

She walked forward. Ten feet from him, he turned his gaze on her and stopped her from advancing.

He growled. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I came to thank you," she whispered. "For Knight. The kitten."

"You already thanked me."

Maybe she had. She couldn't remember. He'd shocked her, coming over and gifting her with a kitten. No one had ever done that for her.

Sure, there were gifts from her dad when he was alive for her birthday and Christmas, but she also knew those things were stolen and belonged to someone else first. No one had ever given her something to love and care for.

She had never had a pet before.

"How are you?" she asked.

"How did you get here?"

He'd ignored her question. She squared her shoulders. "Uber."

He looked over her head. She stepped closer. From that distance, she could smell the smoke from his cigarette and the leather from his vest. The two scents mingled nicely and made Ruger smell better than any other man she'd ever met.

"Are you sleeping?" She moistened her lips. "You look tired."

Many times when they were sleeping in the same bed, she'd catch him wide awake, staring up at the ceiling as if the world weighed heavily on his mind.

"I'm fine." He glanced at her. "You?"

She shook her head and then shrugged. "I get up each day and don't give up."

Those were the exact words he told her every night when they were chained in the basement, and she struggled to sleep. She'd kept to her promise, determined not to let him down. Because if they were both to survive, she needed to stay strong.

His intense gaze never left her. She held her breath, needing him more than he would ever know.

He shifted slightly and lifted his broad arm, opening himself up to her. She walked into his embrace and threw her arms around his middle, holding on for dear life. The swift relief that came over her weakened her, and she held on tighter.

"You're going to make it out of this shit stronger than you were going in, Rachel. Just get up each day and don't give up," he murmured.

Her eyes closed, wishing they were alone in the clubhouse room again and wondering if it'd ever be like that again when it was just the two of them.

Several minutes later, he patted her ass. "I'll take you home."

She wanted to beg him to let her stay, but she had Knight to care for. Letting him take her hand and lead her to his motorcycle, she wanted to be brave. She wanted to be strong.

Inside, she felt the exact opposite.

Chapter Ten

Rachel remained behind Ruger on the motorcycle, hugging his waist. He'd shut off the bike several minutes ago.

He patted her leg. "Let's go."