Damaged and the Outlaw (Damaged #4)

“So they can’t be killed?”


“If Coop decides to call in someone, it would need to be a pro and they don’t come cheap. If it’s the Reapers taking out the Devils, the remaining club in Tucson will walk away. The pros leave calling cards and there are few people who want to fuck with a real assassin. Not worth the effort when they’re going to be fighting to keep their territory. Killing you and your hired gun won’t mean as much.”

No matter what Aaron said, I still wondered about finding someone to deal with the Devils. My brother-in-law was Cooper’s guy and Cooper wanted to be the one to decide. In reality, they didn’t want me interfering with their plans because I wasn’t in the club. I was an outsider and needed to mind my own business. Normally, I would, but Vaughn was my business and I would find a way to save him if possible.

Lark babied me for a while then I babied her then Aaron said she needed to go to bed so he could baby her. I was stuck watching TV with the dogs until I dozed off wondering how I could save Vaughn. If he was safe, I could say the words without jinxing him.

I woke up to Aaron talking to the dogs about Deputy Dipshit who was bugging someone down the street about their car alarm. Lark shuffled out in her Barney slippers. I heard them whispering about how I was sleeping. Before I could announce I was awake, they returned to the bedroom and didn’t emerge for an hour.

Sitting on the porch, I wondered if Vaughn was awake. He always woke up quickly like a starter’s pistol went off in his system. I was groggy and a mess. He was lively and usually ready for morning sex. Fortunately, he didn’t care if I participated much when it was early.

I missed him and the edginess made me chew half a pack of Nicorette. Giving up smoking had gone well until this morning. Now, I wanted to smoke a few cartoons to take the edge off.

Once Aaron left for the shop, I headed inside where Lark sat on the couch with her feet up. We didn’t say much while eating muffins and watching the Today Show. By the time Bailey arrived, Lark looked ready for a nap. I was still dying for a smoke, but Bailey had something else on her mind.

“I’m getting a boob job,” Bailey announced. “I want to attract a better quality of guy.”

Lark and I glanced at each other and fought the urge to roll our eyes. Standing up, I walked to Bailey.

“You’re like a little sister to me, so I’m going to tell you what I would tell Lark in this situation.”

“I hope you plan to say, ‘Go for it. I support you no matter what,’” Bailey said. “That’s what I’m looking for here.”

“If you’re going to have surgery to change your body just so you can get dates, I think you’re an idiot. If you want to have a doctor cut into you because you haven’t found the right guy even though you’re nineteen, I think you’re a super fucking idiot.”

Bailey frowned. “You guys are always telling me I need to change, so people will like me more.”

“I never said that,” Lark mumbled, leaning back on the couch. “I like you the way you are.”

Bailey’s frown darkened. “I saw a shrink and she said I’m insecure. She’s right because I don’t like my boobs.”

“Shut up while I finish,” I said, taking her by the shoulders. “If you want to get new boobs because you want to feel prettier, I support you. If you want to bleed to improve yourself for you, I support your decision. As long as you’re doing it for you and not to land a guy, I support you. Guys come and go, but you’ll always have you. Besides, new boobs will be a cosmetic change and you’re insecure on the inside.”

“I’m hot, but my boobs aren’t. They let me down when I wear sexy clothes.”

“Hey, I’m not going to pretend like having nice tits isn’t great. I love my girls. Just promise me you won’t go crazy with the size,” I said, walking into the kitchen. “I knew a girl at the strip club who had huge boobs. She was very plastic looking anyway which was sad because I think she was likely gorgeous without the super tan and bleached hair. Anyway, her boobs looked painful like the skin was stretched too much. Not sexy. Keep your boobs realistic for your body. Be Bailey with nice boobs, not huge boobs with some girl attached to them.”

Bailey smiled. “I grew up in a place with new girls coming to town every year. They were always so pretty and I thought I’d be like them. I don’t know why my boobs stayed so small.”

“I like small boobs,” Lark announced, eyes still closed. “They fit the rest of me.”

“Can you imagine big honkers on your body?” Bailey snorted. “How you would walk around with them?”

“I couldn’t and that’s why I’m happy with my little ones. Aaron likes them just fine.”

“Didn’t need that visual,” Bailey said, winking at me. “Will you help me pick out my new boobs?”

“Sure. I like shopping.”