Page 19 of Rascal
Meg walked closer to where he was sitting against the wall where the policemen had placed him. Both his and his buddy’s hands were cuffed behind them.
Fury filled her at him not only taking out an account in her name but also endangering her by hiding drugs and money in her house. She didn’t consider herself a violent person, but she also wasn’t a freaking shrinking violet to allow this jerk to get away without any repercussions.
“Why use me? There are plenty of properties on the campus you could easily hide the drugs and money.”
His smirk infuriated her. “Because you think you’re smart as a college professor but you’re like all the other academics who think they are better than everyone else. You thought you knew everything but couldn’t even see what was right under your nose.”
She didn’t think she was better than anyone else because she worked at a college, but she did believe she had better ethics because she wouldn’t dream of doing something illegal and blaming someone else.
“So because I did my job, you decided to hide drugs in my house? And what about my name on the bank account? What was your reasoning for that?”
“You’re old and have no one. If I had to make you disappear, no one would care.”
Meg couldn’t believe the words out of his mouth. Not only was he a thief but he thought murder was okay. Rascal started to head forward but she put her hand out to hold him back. She walked closer.
“I hope you have good memories of when you were president because where you’ll be going, I’m pretty sure you won’t be on the top.”
She pulled her foot back and kicked his thigh because he wasn’t sitting correctly for her to kick him in the nuts, which is where she wanted to.
“Hey, if you’re wanting to kick his balls, I can stand him up or move him around.”
Remi’s words had her smiling despite everything that had happened.
“No, I’m going to let my man do whatever he wants to. This piece of trash isn’t worth another second of my time unless I need to testify at his trial. That I’ll make time for.”
Meg leaned up and kissed Rascal on his cheek, above his beard. “Do whatever you want, but don’t hurt your back.”
Rascal chuckled and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m good if you’re good.”
Chapter Eleven
Rascal held Meg’s hand as Roam finished the last of the coloring on his tattoo. They’d been back from getting Meg’s furnishings for a week. Roam had fit him in this morning, and then Rascal had something he wanted to share with Meg.
When they’d returned and moved her items into the house, she’d mentioned that although they loved each other, they had a lot to learn about each other. She’d come up with the idea of each of them sharing something from their life that had made an impact on the other one. Last night, Meg had shared about when her parents had died, and as an only child, she’d been alone in the world. Even with it being over ten years since she’d lost them, her tears had soaked his shirt. Grief was a journey. Waves crash into your life at different times. The strength of the waves sometimes pulled you under until you thought you couldn’t ever reach the surface again, and other times, it was a small reminder of the hole they’d left in your life.
With her sharing, he knew it was time he opened himself up, too.
“This is gorgeous, Roam. I can’t wait until I get mine.”
“Well, I’d be happy to do yours too, Meg, so that the work looks the same.”
Even though he heard the teasing in Roam’s voice, Rascal couldn’t help but growl, “Not if you want to live,” at one of the men he considered a brother.
Meg’s giggle had her hand shaking, holding his. This woman brought love and laughter into his life when he’d thought he’d never find someone. If it took baring his heart for them to grow closer, he’d do whatever he needed to do.
Roam wiped along his chest one last time, then grabbed the clear wrap and adhered it. “All done.”
Rascal stood up and looked in the mirror on the wall. He turned to Roam, sliding his hand on his neck. “Brother, have I ever told you how immensely talented you are and how happy I am we became partners? Thank you.”
Roam smiled and nodded. “I will forever be grateful for you taking me under your wing, Rascal. We’re brothers, but you’re also like a second dad to me.”
Rascal heard a sniff and turned to Meg. “Darlin’, don’t cry.”
He walked over and pulled her into his arms. “I’m crying because I’m so happy to see you happy. I’m also thankful I was fired from my job because I found all of you.”
He brushed a kiss against her forehead. Meg was fierce but also so incredibly soft-hearted.
“Let’s take a bike ride.”