‘If I had a checklist as to what aspects I love best in a romance novel, Brute’s Strength would fulfill every requirement on that list…’ ~5 Star Amazon Review (Ellie K.)
‘What a wonderful story! I’m a sucker for a good MC book, and this definitely did not disappoint.’ ~5 Star Amazon Review (Nichole R.)
The sexy, action-packed second book in the Riot MC Biloxi series from Karen Renee.
“Whitehall, you’ve been holding out on me. You did not tell me his friends were all hot as hell.”
Stephanie gave Lydia a smirk. “I can introduce you, but you can’t leave our girl here stranded. I was at work when I heard, and I rode my bike today. My guess is that a ride on a bike with Kenzie’s wound is a bad idea.”
“I would never leave her stranded, though—”
I interrupted. “How is he? Have they said? What’s going on?”
My questions came out with more tone than I had intended and I realized how hungry I was.
Lydia patted my arm. “Calm down, Kenzie.”
I gave her a look. “I need to sit down while someone tells me what’s happening to the man I love. A man who’s only gonna be more superstitious about those three words since twelve hours after I said them to him, he gets shot!”
They both gave me their widest eyes.
I hung my head a little. “And, I’m a wee bit hangry.”
A warm, heavy arm rested on my shoulders and guided me away from Stephanie and Lydia. From the corner of my eye, I saw it was Roman leading me away.
“He’s in surgery, Kenzie. That’s as much as they’ve told us, well, Sam, his father. But still, that’s what we know. As for food, a prospect is on his way to Arby’s. Tell me what you want, I’ll make sure you get it,” he said in a low, almost gravelly, voice.
A couple minutes later, he ended a call with the prospect who now had my order at the top of his list.
“Thanks,” I whispered.
His light brown eyes were different from the first time I’d met him, and I realized his worry and concern was right there for anyone to see. Unlike the other Riot MC brothers, he wasn’t shutting down or putting up a front. He nodded.
I couldn’t keep my mouth shut. “He’s lucky to have you guys.”
His chin dipped, but it wasn’t agreement. “You’re wrong. We’re lucky to have him.”
The tears I’d been fighting overpowered me. At the sight of them streaming down my face, Roman pulled me into a sideways hug.
I heard footsteps shuffle up to us, and felt someone else’s body heat next to me. “My boy’s a fighter, Kenzie. Don’t you think about anything but that. You hear me?”
Roman let go of me when I straightened. “He’s going to blame me,” I whispered to Sam.
His eyes narrowed. “How the hell d’you figure that?”
“He doesn’t tell you… or anyone else, that he loves them.”
Sam gave me an assessing look, and Roman sauntered to the other side of the waiting area.
I shook my head and told Sam about our argument. How I thought he was just superstitious.
As I spoke, Sam’s lips pressed together in a firm line. After a moment he gave some short nods, then looked at me. “I nearly forgot about that shit. Hell, I haven’t even called his mother. Know I should, but can’t bring myself to do it. Maybe I’m selfish, but a woman who can ghost her son for twenty fuckin’ years doesn’t deserve the chance to ride in when he’s at his lowest.”
I didn’t have a response for that.
“You still haven’t told me why he’s gonna blame you.”
“Because I said I love him.”
His meaty hand wrapped around the back of my neck. “Listen to me. He says anything like that, tries to push you away because of that, I will personally kick his ass.”
