The Scars That Define Us (The Devil's Dust #2)(19)

“She still loves you, ya know,” Bobby advises, eyeing me from the side.

I scoff at his remark. Fuck love.

“The only reason she’s with this guy is because he’s a rebound. She seems repulsed by him.” Bobby’s admission makes me see red, but the thought Dani might still have some kind of feelings for me is replacing my anger with hope. Maybe she is trying to move on but can’t. I can relate.

“Why would I care?” I ask, trying to get a hold of myself. Bobby looks at me with a cocky smile, knowing I do care and it’s pissing me off. I growl in frustration. I can’t get over the idea Dani has tried to move on; it hurts more than anything I have ever felt before. I would rather be with Dani and have her tear my heart out by ratting on me than live in this pain without her. I can’t live with the idea of running into her on the street somewhere with another man. I know deep inside, in this exact moment, I would turn against the club to protect Dani if needed, making me feel like a traitor to my own brotherhood. If I have to choose Dani over the club, it could get me killed.

“You’re f*cking lucky I don’t have my pistol, or I would shoot you in the dick,” I say, pointing to his crotch.

“Why’s that?” Bobby asks, his tone exasperated.

“You betrayed me,” I mutter.

“You f*cked up, and you know it. Dani didn’t have anything to do with her mother and yet you cast her to the side,” he declares, squaring his shoulders. “She deserves to move forward. It’s not her fault you’re so f*cked up you can’t see a good thing when it’s standing in front of you!” he yells.

Fuck him. If I had my gun, I would really have f*cking shot him.





SHADOW


I watch Parker pick up Dani from the apartment for lunch. The entire time, I’m gripping the handlebars of my motorcycle with such force my knuckles are white. I swear to God, if he kisses her, I’ll shoot him. I park across from the sandwich shop where he takes Dani to lunch, I’m waiting for them to leave. I pull my phone out and look at the time; they’ve been in there for thirty minutes. How long does it take to eat a f*cking sub sandwich?

I look up and see them leaving, finally. He’s dressed in a suit, and his hair is swept to the back. He looks like someone who should be with Dani; there is no denying she deserves better than me. Dani looks beautiful, as always, wearing ripped jeans and a sexy, red top. My body vibrates with hostility just seeing them together. He reaches over and grabs Dani’s hand. I can see her body stiffen and her face go pale. The idea of her uncomfortable with his guy makes me smile. She’s not moving on. She’s just trying to trick her mind into thinking she is. Parker reaches over and opens the car door for Dani, letting her slide in. What a *! I would have at least slapped her ass before she got in.

He rounds the car and adjusts his junk, wearing a smug look on his face. He doesn’t seem very mannered at the moment; he’s faking this whole gentlemen act. He climbs into the car and slowly pulls onto the road. I start my bike and follow. What does Dani see in this prick? I stay a few car lengths back so I’m not noticed and watch him drop Dani at the apartment. I can’t see inside the car because I’m so far back, but that’s probably a good thing. Usually when you drop a date off, you kiss them goodbye. I stare at the black car, waiting for her to get out. I groan heavily and look up at the sky. Stalking an ex-girlfriend, what a new low for me.

Dani leaves the car and nearly runs toward the front door of the apartment building. “Here we go,” I mutter. I start my bike and follow Parker onto the road. I would go inside and shake Dani like a rag doll, asking what the f*ck she’s thinking, but I’m intrigued by this Parker. He darts off onto the highway and off the exit ramp; there is nothing on this side of town but bars and strip clubs. Not something I peg for Mr. Fancy. He parks in the Dirty Barrels parking lot and gets out. I sit on my bike and watch, interested what his kind would be doing at such a cheap bar. I figured him more for a cocktails and Bloody Mary kind of f*cker.

After ten minutes has passed, he comes out with a brunette, who staggers and sways as she walks toward the parking lot. He points to his car and the drunk girl lights up. She walks faster toward it and starts to run her hand over the hood. He comes up behind her and grabs on her backside, making the girl arch her ass into him. He grabs her wrists and jerks her toward the passenger car door, opens it and pushes her into the back seat with force before climbing in. I sigh and look off into the distance. This * is not who Dani thinks he is, and I’ll be damned if I let him near her.

After ten minutes of the car rocking, the door opens and the girl is pushed out. She stumbles onto the dirty parking lot, rolling on her back; she’s really drunk. Parker gets out, pulling his pants the rest of the way up before using his foot to roughly roll the girl a few feet from his car. He then climbs in his car and takes off, throwing dirt and gravel on the girl. I shake my head and put my helmet back on before following. He heads toward the nice side of town, where the houses are big and you’re paying for who your neighbors are rather than the quality of a house. When he pulls into a driveway, I pull over and watch him enter a circle drive. His house is huge and can be seen from the road; there is no denying he’s got money.

***

I wait by the car, leaning against it with my legs crossed in front. I’m going to ensure he never sees Dani again.