Hard as Stone(111)
A muscle in Jake’s jaw jumped as he stared down at her furious face. Well, he knew she’d blame him. He couldn’t say that he hadn’t expected this. He just wasn’t prepared for how much her words would fucking hurt. “You done?” he asked tersely.
“Excuse me?” she hissed, her eyes shooting daggers at him.
“I asked you if you were done,” Jake snapped, crossing his arms over his chest. “Because if you are, I’d like to get out of here.”
“Then, go!” Harmony gestured at the door. “Nobody is stopping you. I certainly won’t.”
“You’re coming with me. We’re going to have a discussion. You’re going to ask me questions, and I’m going to give you answers. But we are not doing any of it standing in the spot where Suarez assaulted you. Goddamn it, Harmony, being here… knowing that he was able to get in here – in the one place you should be able to feel comfortable and safe - and mark your pretty face and terrify Heaven and Honor … as much as you deserve my entire fucking attention, all I can think of when I’m standing here is how much I want to hunt that fucker down and rip out his fucking heart for touching what’s mine!”
Harmony merely raised an eyebrow as his roar echoed through the empty kitchen. “That would be an impressive statement if Heaven or I were actually yours, but being as I have no idea who the fuck you are, I remain markedly unimpressed.”
“Oh, you’re mine, Harmony,” Jake bit off, his own eyes darkening as they collided with hers. “Told you that last night. I was real fuckin’ clear. Guess I’m gonna have to remind you.”
Lifting the hand holding Zeke’s gun between them, Harmony offered him a cool smile. “I encourage you to try, Jake. Go ahead, see how far you get,” she invited silkily. “I already told you. I’ve had enough of whack job assholes today. I didn’t have a gun when Tanner was here earlier, but you, I’m prepared to deal with.”
Barely sparing the gun a glance, Jake advanced, crowding Harmony back against the stove as he leaned into her, the barrel of the pistol digging into his sternum. “Either pull the fuckin’ trigger or get your coat, darlin’. I’m not gonna stand here and bullshit all night. We need to get back to Heaven, but first we need to clear the air between us. You’ve got the gun. I pull any shit you don’t like, fucking shoot me, but just know that I am about two seconds away from losing the little of my patience I’ve got left, throwing you over my shoulder and carrying you out of here. It’d be a hell of a lot easier for you to follow me out the door, get on the back of my bike, and let me take us somewhere that doesn’t make me wanna commit murder. Now, fuckin’ decide. Shoot me or get your ass movin’.”
Harmony’s jaw dropped at his nerve. “Do you even hear yourself?”
“Heard every word. You done decidin’?” he growled in response, staring her in the eye as his hands itched at his sides. She had no idea how close he was to snatching her into his arms. “I’m not backing down here, Harmony. Choose or I choose for you,” he warned when she remained silent and sullen in front of him.
“I’ll get my damn coat,” she clipped out, jerking her body to the side and stomping across the room to where she’d thrown her jacket when she arrived.
Jake’s shoulders relaxed slightly as he watched her jam her arms angrily through the sleeves. She didn’t know it, but her actions were telling him everything he needed to know about where she stood. She was pissed. Hell, she was furious. But she still trusted him. She’d never risk going with him if she didn’t. His lips twitched as he watched her shove the gun into the pocket of her coat. Hell, she wasn’t even keeping the gun in her hand.
He realized she’d caught him studying her when she marched to the back door and snapped at him, “Well, are we doing this or are you gonna stand there and ogle me all night?”
Crossing the room, he paused when he reached her side, towering over her. “Oh, we’re doing this, babe. Bike’s that way.” He jerked his thumb toward the door and tried not to laugh when she growled at him.
Following her outside to his Harley, he pulled an extra helmet from the back of his bike and tossed it to her before swinging one leg over the hog and starting the engine. Turning his head toward her, his lips twitched again as she flounced toward him and threw her leg over the bike. “You’re gonna need to hold on to me, baby,” he informed her over his shoulder, unable to keep from chuckling when she muttered a few unladylike words under her breath. He was pretty certain she’d even made up a few new swear words, but he grinned when she reluctantly slid her arms around his waist.