Rebel on the Run Read Free

on the seat of his massive truck.
    The adorable mutt wagged his tail hard enough that he might have knocked himself over if he hadn’t clambered into her lap and licked her face like it was some canine lollipop. His black and white markings, pointy ears and big brown eyes made her think of the Boston terrier Mrs. Winthorpe loved to bring along on equestrian outings.
    “Smart dog.” Bryce groaned. “Kae, this is Buster McHightops. Give me five minutes and I’ll have us on our way.”
    Kaelyn couldn’t help herself. She cracked a smile at the puppy’s unconditional love. The animal, at least, was innocent. She patted his head and scratched behind his perky ears. Within minutes, he’d curled up in her lap, accepting her repetitive stroking, which helped to calm her mind as well.
    In the side mirror, she admired Bryce’s easy strength and sure movements as he went about his business. This was familiar territory for him. Comfortable in his impressive body, and at this job, he nearly had her drooling like Buster McHightops while she spied on him. Shaking her head to clear the desire fogging her righteous indignation, terror and—okay, fine—relief, she closed her eyes to block the sight.
    Before he could return and ruin the first sliver of peace she’d managed to find since her world had imploded, she succumbed to the pretense of security. Even if it was false, she needed a break. A chance to regroup.
    Because finding out yet another fact about her apparent life of unwitting lies might break her. The first few had cracked her. The man she glimpsed in the rearview mirror—sexy, strong and alluring—had the power to shatter her beyond repair.
    He always had.

Chapter Two
    Bryce couldn’t believe the way life worked sometimes. Almost as if masterminded by a freaking sadist. 
    He’d finally gotten his shit together. Buried his past. Dedicated himself to moving on as a self-invented man. Everything he had, he’d earned. The group of guys he’d grown up with and ran a prosperous business with—the Hot Rods—were building something he thought he could be satisfied with for the long haul. Professionally and personally.
    A miracle in and of itself.
    Business was booming. They’d been slammed the whole damn summer and had a mile-long waitlist for restomods. It grew each day thanks to Nola’s new graphic proposals. Kaige’s girlfriend had shaken things up. Advanced them. Evolved the whole shop. Both at the garage and on the home front.
    The addition of Nova’s lady brought a new layer to their already complex relationship, which had cemented some with Eli, Alanso and Sally’s wedding. In a group of people who’d lived transient childhoods, the stability itself was welcome. Attractive.
    And that was before he tallied how much being included in that sphere of love counted toward easing the knots that had been tied in his guts for years. Since he’d left Kaelyn.
    The sexual sharing the seven guys and two women had done recently filled a void in Bryce, one he had long ago resigned himself to living with. At least once he’d realized no woman would replace in his heart the one he’d had to sacrifice more than a decade ago. He might not be part of a soul-mate pairing—like Eli, Alanso and Sally or Kaige and Nola—but those in their group who were made it clear that he and the rest of the unattached guys hadn’t been left in their dust. In addition to the Hot Rods’ friendship, which had lasted since Bryce had leeched Tom London’s hospitality and moved in above the garage, he now had something… more .
    They’d begun to explore the connection they’d formed, expanding their relationships beyond partners to lovers, forming a web of intersecting bonds that were complex and deceptively strong. Durable. A natural marvel. 
    Bryce had taken pleasure in delighting Mustang Sally or Nola with the knowledge he was giving to his fellow Hot Rods—their guys—in the process. Hell, he’d even started to look forward to