Page 41 of Raggedy Dan
“He’s gone,” she whispered.“For good this time.”
Dan’s arm tightened around her.“Yeah.Tinder’ll make sure of it.”
She pressed her lips to the worst of the scars on his neck.“Youdidn’t kill him.”
“Wanted to.”
“I know.”She kissed the spot again.“But you didn’t.You let the club handle club business.That’s what matters.”
He exhaled, long and slow, like he’d been holding his breath since the convoy.
Riley curled tighter against him.“We’re safe, Dan.”
He kissed her temple, voice rough.“We’re safe.”
Outside, the forest was quiet.
Inside, for the first time since the photo appeared on a computer screen, Dan let himself believe it.They lay like that for a long while, until finally Riley asked, “When did you remember the bandana?”
He startled, reflexively reaching for where it should have been dangling around his neck.“Just now.”
“Proud of you, ole man.”
“Fuckin’ love you, Riley Monroe.”
Chapter Fourteen
Dan
The next morning, they showered together at his place, the hot water pounding against their skin like it could wash away the dust of Wilkins, the blood on Ronnie’s throat, the metallic tang of fear that was still clinging to their skin.Dan stood under the spray, eyes closed, letting the steam fill his lungs.Riley moved behind him, soaping his back with careful hands, tracing the scars she knew by heart now.She didn’t speak.She didn’t need to.
When the water finally ran cold, they stepped out.Dan wrapped a towel around her first, then one around his own waist.He walked into the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed, head in his hands.The shaking started slow.It was his shoulders first, then his arms, and then it took him like a freight train.
Riley was there in an instant, straddling his lap, knees bracketing his hips.She cupped his scarred face, thumbs brushing the tears that had started to track across his cheeks.
“Look at me,” she said softly.
