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“Yes, he does,” came Teddy’s voice so close, Jemma jumped. Was she still rattled from seeing that car and learning about the Shirleys? “Max looks so handsome in his dress uniform with his just as hot chauffer. Christopher, I know you can pull off the disheveled look.” He glanced at Jemma for affirmation. “Right? But don’t let it get out of control so you look like one of the bums down at the tracks.”
“There are bums at the railroad tracks?” Reilly asked, sounding in awe.
“Fuck no,” Dutch answered. “All right, assholes. We’ve stood around long enough. Get the fuck back to work before I dock your pay. Rev, pull Theodore’s ‘Stang into the garage and plug his tire.”
Rev headed toward the Mustang and everyone but Cage wandered inside.
It was just the two of them and Dyna. He tilted his head and stared at her.
She tried not to shuffle her feet at his intense gaze. “Your food’s probably cold.”
“Got a microwave in the kitchenette.”
“Not the same as when it’s fresh.” She needed to get Dyna loaded and go back to the farm. “Are we going to be safe out in the trailer?”
“Would you feel better spending the day with Saylor and Daisy?”
She sighed. “No. But you should have told me, Chris. Reilly told me more than you did and she doesn’t know everything.”
“Honestly, ain’t worried about the Shirleys. We taught them a lesson and haven’t seen or heard from them since. They’d be stupid as fuck to fuck with us.”
“Doesn’t mean they won’t.”
“You’re right. Don’t mean they won’t. Just keep an eye open, that’s all. Takin’ Reilly’s word that the car belonged to the Shirleys. We don’t know that for sure. If it was, they mighta had a reason to be in town.”
“So, you’re not worried.”
“Not yet. Gotta work to pay for shit. Can’t be home with you all day.”
“I didn’t ask you for that.” Nor would she. She was struggling to keep her hands to herself as it was.
“Wanna gun? I’ll get you one.”
“A legal one?”
He gave her a look and that was all she needed as an answer. “Then no.” Plus, she never shot a gun in her life. Unless she had training, she’d be worried about handling one. As a nurse, she’d seen what damage a gunshot could do.
“If you get spooked, call me. Me or one of the guys can be there in ten, if needed.”
Ten minutes could be forever in a violent situation. She wasn’t liking any of this.
“Just keep the door locked when you two are inside. Wait ‘til someone’s at The Barn or bunkhouse to head over there. Or wait ‘til I’m home.”
“That means we’ll be prisoners in the trailer while everyone is gone during the day.”
He blew out a breath and scraped his fingers through his hair. “Jem, doin’ the fuckin’ best I can here. Gotta work with me. Gonna talk to Trip and Judge.”
“I’m going to talk to my brother, too.” She chewed on her bottom lip.
He went toe to toe with her and pulled her lip from between her teeth. He brushed his thumb over the lower one. “It’ll be okay. Can’t tell you the details of what happened on that mountain that night, but can tell you we made a strong statement. Know they ain’t the smartest, but they can’t be that fuckin’ stupid, either.”
Or they could be stupid enough to try. “What are you going to do with Dyna when I’m gone? I can’t stick around much longer, I need a paying job to pay my bills. I need to settle somewhere other than here. This isn’t my life, Chris. Dyna isn’t my child. You need to seriously get your shit in order before I leave.”
His blue eyes darkened and he dropped his head slightly. “Truth?” he whispered.
“Nothing but,” she whispered back, trying not to focus on how close his lips were to hers.
“Got no fuckin’ clue, Jem. That’s the hard truth. It comes down to it, I’ll sell my Impala to pay for daycare. Don’t know what else to fuckin’ do. Can’t shit out money I don’t got.”
“Your daughter is more important than a car,” she reminded him needlessly.
“Ain’t just a car and I’ll take a loss by sellin’ it quick.”
“And you won’t be able to haul the chief’s ass around in the parade.”
Cage snorted softly. “Yeah, well. Dyna’s more important than that. But besides my sled and my Impala, the only thing that’s truly mine is her.”
“Then you need to make a plan. And soon. I’m heading home.”
Home.
She didn’t miss the slight raise of his eyebrow when she said the word. But right now, that was what it was. Even if it was only temporary.
“Jem...”
“Help me load up the stroller, will you?” She went to push it toward her Volvo, but he stopped her with a hand on her arm.
