Rebel on the Run Read Free Page B

Bryce’s precious cargo.
    “You brought me a present?” The smartass raised his brows. “She’s a mega-hottie. Thanks.”
    But when the guy reached out, Bryce couldn’t believe the overprotective instincts that roared to life. They had him turning away from his partner. “She’s mine.”
    Uh-oh. Hot Rods didn’t do possessive.
    At least, not after a primary claim had been staked. Shock flashed across Holden’s face before he stood back and held the door wider. “Got it. Bring in your girl. Everyone’s here. Except Tom. We thought we should wait and see what was up before calling him over.”
    Swinger—nicknamed for the car he drove, like the rest of the Hot Rods—spoke loud and clear enough to transmit the message to the entire gang. Though they loved their surrogate dad, Eli’s genetic father, they could tell by Bryce’s earlier vanishing act that something was haywire. A sketchy guy had come into the shop today and described a stranded damsel so uniquely amazing, Bryce had immediately known who’d crash-landed in his backyard.
    He’d hightailed it out of the garage to rescue her.
    Alone.
    It didn’t take a genius to figure out she was a part of his past. One he didn’t discuss with anyone, not even his mechanic family.
    He tried not to meet their worried gazes as he came inside. Instead, he concentrated on depositing Kaelyn gently on the couch. Then he knelt on the floor beside her. Buster McHightops hopped onto the leather sectional and curled against her torso. When Bryce attempted to shoo the pup, he emitted a rare growl.
    “Whoa.” Bryce withdrew his hand in a hurry before his fingers got nipped by baby teeth capable of shredding a pair of thick leather work gloves in less time than it took to go zero to sixty in his Rebel AMC.
    “Guess Buster thinks she’s his .” Holden clapped Bryce on the shoulder before taking a seat on the sofa, around the bend in the couch. “Maybe you should have peed on her. Marked your territory or some shit.”
    “Fuck you, Swinger.” Bryce stared at his dog, not too upset since he liked the idea of Kaelyn having an ally. God knew she wouldn’t count him as one once she realized how much of the history she thought she’d lived through had to be rewritten to be accurate.
    Everyone gathered around gave him courage. He took a breath, prepared for her to despise him, then shook her shoulder gently. “Kae?”
    “Bryce?” She fisted her hand.
    “Yeah, it’s me. And you already clocked me once when you realized I wasn’t gallivanting around Europe, so you don’t have to do it again.” He grinned, since his jaw hadn’t suffered much from her ineffectual punch.
    Instead of hitting him, she rubbed her knuckles into her eyes, then blinked and took a second look. He figured it was a good sign when her gaze lingered on his mouth. “This isn’t a dream? It wasn’t a nightmare.”
    Her head flopped onto the throw pillow as she went limp again.
    “ Europe ?” Eli—the garage’s owner, their King Cobra—shuffled closer, speaking at the same time. “What’s that about? Why would she think that?”
    Bryce shook his head. “It’s a load of bullshit my father told her. Kae and I knew each other when we were kids.”
    Damn if he hadn’t done a helluva lot of growing up those last few years he’d spent with her. Too bad she’d been too young then. Too innocent for the thoughts he’d had of her. The desire. And too dependent to run rebel with him. Otherwise, life could have been so much better…
    He swallowed hard, then looked at Kaelyn directly. “That boy is as good as dead. I’m not that person anymore. So if you came looking for him, I’m sorry. You’re not gonna find him.”
    She seemed as though she might argue. Except when she parted those lush lips, a croak came out, followed by a wince.
    Bryce leaned in to support her as she sat up, trying not to notice the elegant curve of her shoulder against his palm. “What hurts?” 
    He ran his hands along