Page 72 of Gang of Roses: Rebel

“Rain,” I warned.

She didn’t respond.

She simply flicked her lighter.

Without breaking eye contact, she took the blunt from her mouth and casually tossed it toward the gasoline-soaked porch.

“RAIN!”

The second the blunt landed, flames shot up the side of the house. Instead of leaving right away, Rebel closed the distance between us and pressed her lips against mine. When she pulled away, our foreheads rested together for the briefest second before she forced herself to let go.

“I love you,” she whispered.

Before I could stop her, she turned, swung a leg over her motorcycle, and fired up the engine. The roar shattered the silence between us.

“Rain!” I yelled.

She looked back at me one last time. There were a thousand words in her eyes, but she didn’t say a single one. Then she twisted the throttle.

The bike shot down the street, disappearing into the night while I stood there helpless, praying that wouldn’t be the last time I ever saw the woman I loved.

Chapter 16

Rain “Rebel” Crawford

Iwas so heartbroken that I honestly didn’t know what the fuck to do. Honestly, I started to run. At least, that was what I told myself I was going to do. But I couldn’t leave Crow. As fucked up as everything was, I couldn’t bring myself to walk away from him too.

Through it all, Crow never left my side. He didn’t feed me empty promises or tell me everything would magically be okay. He just loved me. The kind of love that didn’t need grand speeches. As I lay across his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart, he pressed a soft kiss to the top of my head. His fingers slowly traced circles along my back, grounding me whenever my thoughts tried to drag me under.

“You ain’t gotta carry this alone, Rain,” he whispered. “You hear me? Whatever comes next... we gon’ figure it out together.”

“I’m broke. Everything is gone.”

“What can I do? I have some money saved for another job that I’m thinking about giving you.”

“I appreciate you, but I can’t take from you or Sebastian. Besides, I had millions in that portfolio.”

“Shit. I can’t believe it’s all gone.”

“Me neither.”

The knot in my throat tightened. I buried my face deeper into his chest, letting his warmth wrap around me as fresh tears slipped down my cheeks. Ever since my world had fallen apart, I allowed myself to stop pretending I was okay. Although we planned to hit Ross Savings and Loan for the biggest payday of our lives, I didn’t know what to do.

“I know you got to go meet with Kash and Dice today, but can I take you out?”

“Is it a date?”

“Yeah. I told you, Rain. I love you, and I want to see where our relationship can go.”

I looked up at him, my eyes still swollen from crying.

“I’m hurting and desperate right now. If you can hold me down and be patient with me, just know that I care about you. I really do. I just need a little time to figure all of this out.”

A soft smile crossed Crow’s face as he brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. He leaned over and kissed my lips. I let him, because for a brief moment, his kiss eased my mind. When he pulled away, he looked me dead in the eyes, his expression serious.

“I ain’t going nowhere, Rain. Take all the time you need. I’ll be right here when you’re ready.”

I decided to take Crow up on his offer for a date. Sitting around the house crying wasn’t gonna change a damn thing. Maybe getting some fresh air would help clear my mind.