A Monster's Beauty (In the Arms of Monsters 3)

“I don’t know. I figured you’d expanded your friendship base? For all I know, you could have been reading about an Anne in a book.”

“Cut the shit, Preach. What do you think about it?”

“One, I don’t think about it. Two, she’s Robin’s friend. Three, I’m guessing it’s because of the kids.”

“Do you think she’ll care if I kill him?”

“Do you think a woman would care if you killed the man who fathered their kids?” Preacher didn’t like the bitterness. “Well, I killed Reaper, and me and Robin are doing well. I’m sure Anne would feel the same.”

“You think I don’t know when I can detect sarcasm?”

“I don’t know what you think you can detect half of the time. If you try to kill Elijah—that’s the husband’s name—you’re heading to fail. Now, I’ve got to go and see my woman.” He straddled his bike and paused. “Are you and Anne … together?”

“No, we’re not together. I’m just curious.”

“Do you like her?”

“I … no, we’re just friends. I have to make sure my daughter is being cared for.”

“But I’m the one doing that, so tell me again, what exactly is it you’re doing.”

“None of your business.”

“Oh, but it is my business if you’re going to hurt my woman.”

“Look, I like Anne. Nothing has happened and she won’t leave Elijah. Let’s just leave it alone. I’m not getting into this all again.” Bear straddled his own bike. “How is Robin?”

“Why don’t you ask her yourself?” He was getting tired of being Bear’s confidant when it came to his daughter. If he wanted to know what Robin was going through, he should go and see her.

Like him, he should go tell her the truth.

“I’ll see her when I’m ready.”

He was bored with the conversation and so he gunned the engine and started to take off.

“You know you’re going to kill me. I can see the look in your eyes, but you’re going to have to know you will never really be rid of me. I’ve been a part of Robin. She’s part of me. Bethany will always be there unless you kill a harmless little baby. Do you think you can do that?”

Reaper’s words threatened to haunt him.

It wasn’t his memory he had a problem with. He could deal with whatever pain and destruction the bastard did. It wasn’t hard to do. The man hadn’t been a saint to anyone. Robin was better off without him, and in the past couple of days, since learning the truth of her pregnancy, he’d seen her so happy. There were moments when fear got the better of her. He’d watch her holding her stomach, whispering, almost as if she was begging for something not to go wrong. He hated those days more than anything else.

He had no words to help her believe everything was going to be okay. She only knew the pain of loss, and there was nothing he could do about it.

Riding back to town, he made his first stop at the clubhouse in order to deal with the profits from the latest fight. It was a huge sum of money and a percentage always went into the club safe, to help with any emergencies in case their banks were frozen or their homes raided.

It had happened to a couple of the guys, and Preacher liked to prepare for everything. No matter how big or how small it might be. Once he’d done his job for the club, he got back on his bike and rode toward Anne’s house. Not that it was much of a surprise for Bear to follow him.

When they arrived at Anne’s house, Preacher noticed the husband’s family car and glanced back at Bear, who was also looking at it.

This wasn’t his problem. Whatever went down between Anne and Bear, it was between them and he wouldn’t allow himself or his woman to get caught up in the crossfire.

Elijah opened the door. His cheeks tensed as his teeth clenched.

“I’m here to see Robin.”

“My home is not a hotel.”

“Good.” He pushed past him. “Because I’m not paying.”