“Yeah, and we went out on a Jet Ski.”
“What?” Rigor held his drink halfway between the bar and mouth. “But you hate the open ocean. Shark soup you call it.”
“I still think it’s shark soup.” She giggled and pressed her fingers to her lips. There was no way she was telling her brother they’d gotten into trouble out there. The tenuous hold he had on his temper would dissolve in an instant.
Rigor frowned and studied her.
“And I know she loves to read,” Wyatt chipped in. “History and stuff. Dukes and Lords. Palaces and old shit like that.”
A flash of confusion went over Rigor’s eyes. “What?”
“Yeah, see, we’re getting to know each other.” Belle squeezed closer to Wyatt. “So just get used to it … and tell Teddy to do the same.”
“Teddy wanted to hunt Billy down and hang, draw, and quarter him,” Rigor said, his attention going back to Wyatt. “After he cheated and broke my sister’s heart.”
“And I’ll do the same if I ever meet Billy.” Wyatt tipped his chin. “So don’t go dropping me in the same box as that jerk.”
Rigor was quiet.
“Rigor,” Belle said, placing her hand on her hip and jutting it to the right. “I don’t think I’ll head back to Phoenix with you guys tomorrow. I’ll stay here in Clement, catch a ride up to the rally with Wyatt.”
“No!”
“No!”
Both men had spoken at the same time.
“What? Why not?” She pouted and glared at first Rigor then Wyatt. “Tell me why the hell I can’t.”
“Because.” Wyatt sighed. “There’s shit going down here, you know there is.”
She was quiet.
“It won’t be safe,” Wyatt continued. “Once the weapons are in the compound, if word gets out, there’ll be visitors, likely the Mambas, maybe the Scavengers, and I don’t want you anywhere near those pricks.”
“But if I were in Phoenix, and there was cargo—”
“You’d have to be there, ’cause it’s where you live.” Wyatt raised his eyebrows. “Now I ain’t saying I don’t want you here to be an asshole, it’s because I’mnotan asshole. That amount of weaponry is going to attract the attention of the scum of the earth, and I don’t want you in the firing line.”
“First sensible thing I’ve heard you say.” Rigor sipped his drink.
“Yeah well, I couldn’t give a shit about putting myself on the line for the Barbarians, I’m proving that tomorrow, but it’s no place for women.” Wyatt’s face softened and he looked down at her. “Women should be protected from the shitstorms that get thrown our way.”
“I’m perfectly capable of—”
“The answer is no,” Rigor said. “Wyatt and I agree on that much.” He downed his drink and slammed the glass on the bar. “And we’re heading out of here before nightfall. Go pack.”
“What? I thought we were going tomorrow.” Belle’s heart sank. “Why have you changed your mind?”
“I’d rather we hit the road at night. Less cops, not so damn hot.” Rigor wiped his brow on the back of his inked forearm. “Hey, guys,” he bellowed, “quit the liquor. We’re making tracks.”
“Sure thing, boss.”
“Yup.”
The vibe in the room changed instantly. An air of productivity took hold.
“I should go speak to Hudson.” Rigor banged a smoke from his pack and put it between his lips. “Be ready in an hour.” He cupped Belle’s chin, squeezed, and looked into her eyes.