“I never touched Broni. We shared a bed, that was it. I had a feeling you would be back.” Adam slapped him on his back. “Don’t know what happened while you were gone, but I’m glad you’re back. And I can tell you’ve settled some shit that was long overdue.”
He had missed his friends also. Adam had saved his life when he hadn’t cared, giving him time to grieve. If not for Broni, he would have stayed with Odin, but now that he was back, he could repay Adam for saving him.
He caught the glare Broni sent his way with a grin, infuriating her even more. It was going to take time for her to get over her anger, but he had every confidence she would. No woman had turned him down for long, so she would eventually give in. He would soothe her anger then claim her. How hard could it be?
* * *
Four months later, Rhys was ready to admit he may have overestimated Broni’s anger toward him. She steadfastly refused to have anything to do with him.
He watched as she walked through the building, keeping a close eye on her. She refused to stay at the clubhouse as they searched for supplies.
The humans were finally beginning to make tiny steps toward recovery, but they were being knocked back by the gangs that had taken over. They refused to give up the power they had gained, stymieing efforts to rebuild.
One group in particular was gaining control over several states, unable to be held at bay by the survivors. From the information coming into the Dark Highwaymen, the gang had entered their city a few days ago.
Rhys was for packing up and leaving the city, warning Adam that the encroaching club was dangerous. His warrior instincts said to stay and battle it out, but his feelings for Broni had him wanting to get her to safety. He still saw the day she had been attacked in the street in his mind.
If she became hurt, the hell Rhys had gone through when he had lost Deena would be nothing compared to losing Broni. Rhys had just been a part of his soul, the warrior who now had control was whole. If he lost Broni, the agony would be much worse than what Rhys had endured.
The little witch had managed to thwart every seductive move he had made toward her, though. If he tried to touch her in the privacy of their bedroom, she would get up and leave, not returning for several days. Missing her during the nights she was gone made him give that avenue up. During the days, nothing he seemed to do made her look back at him without anything except the passive face she showed him.
He had given her the best spoils he found when they were out; jewelry, clothing and blankets. Yet nothing mattered to her. She would take them, thanking him gracefully, then days later, he would see his gifts on another; the jewelry adorned Dee and Nikki, the clothes were given to women in the compound as well as the blankets. She didn’t keep anything he had brought her.
The other men made fun of his predicament while he couldn’t believe she hadn’t forgiven him. After all, he owned her. She was his prize, his reward. How could shenot love him any more? She had sacrificed her family, home, and heritage for him, only to turn her back on him now that he returned her feelings. It didn’t make sense to him.
The other women had meant nothing to him, even Deena. Rhys had loved her, and while the warrior within had thought her boring, he had wanted peace. The woman had provided that along with the children he wanted. The warrior regretted the loss of his children, mourned their loss still. However, he was at a loss as to how to win Broni back. He had even used several ploys that Rhys had used to gain Deena’s affection. Nothing worked, though.
As a beam that had become loosened began to fall, Rhys reacted without thinking, his arm going around Broni’s waist and pulling her back against his chest.
“Be careful,” he spoke in her ear, feeling her body tremble against his when a sudden thought struck him. She had used her body to try to gain his love, maybe he should use her own method against her.
She tore herself out of his arms before adjusting the cloak she had covering her long, dark hair. He admired the way she had learned from her mistake. Her hair had been used as a weapon to capture her before, yet if anyone grabbed the cloak, she had a snap that would release it. The person who had tried to grab her that way would then end up with nothing other than her cloak.
She was very good at learning from her mistakes. That was why he was gaining no ground with her. She had found her weaknesses with him and had built guards within herself to hold him at bay. Well, two could play that game. She seemed to have forgotten the most important part of his character—he was a master tactician.
It was time she learned who was the better warrior.
Chapter 25
Broni tiredly removed her cloak. She was hungry, but not enough to stay in the clubroom long enough to fix herself a sandwich.
They had arrived back at the clubhouse after dark, and it had already swelled with the brothers. The women who were club property were inside by this time. Very few of the women remained outside at night, most eagerly waited for night to fall so they could once again be taken by the men. Abby and she both made sure they were in their rooms well before dark, though; so her grumbling stomach would have to be ignored until morning.
She went into the small bathroom, washing off and then sliding on a nightgown. She padded barefoot back into the bedroom, coming to a stop when she saw Rhys placing a plate of food on the nightstand.
“I noticed you didn’t take the time to eat.”
“Thanks.” She took the sandwich, sitting on the bed. She then sat cross-legged, eating while ignoring Rhys.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him pull off his jacket then his t-shirt, and she almost choked on her sandwich. He had filled out a great deal since the last time they’d had sex, and previously, she had always made sure she was asleep with the light off before he came to bed. She had made a mistake by taking the time to eat; seeing him take off his clothes had brought back memories of having sex with him. The problem was, it also brought back the memories of just how many he had been with through the centuries.
She diverted her attention, focusing on the radio across the room. The old fashioned machine was one of the few ways left for the humans to communicate how bad the world was becoming before they played music as if that made it all better.
Broni choked down another bite as Rhys casually walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. While he was inside, she forced herself to finish the sandwich.
Placing the plate back on the nightstand, she took a drink from the bottledwater, spilling a small amount when the bathroom door opened. The bastard came out naked, striding confidently across the floor toward the bed. Broni forced herself to close her mouth.
Her eyes widened at his behavior, the man had obviously decided to try a different tactic to seduce her. Well, it wasn’t going to work. She set the bottle down then rolled over in one movement, pulling the covers over her.