I cross the café too fast and drop into the booth beside her, wrapping my arms around her. She clings to me, shaking.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers against my shoulder. “I’m so sorry.”
“I’ve got you.” My voice breaks. “You’re okay. I’ve got you.”
Her fingers clutch my jacket.
Over her shoulder, I see Jayce standing near the front window, eyes moving over every person in the café. He doesn’t look like a man in a coffee shop. He looks like a weapon someone leaned against the wall.
Brianna stiffens when she notices him.
“He’s with me,” I say quickly. “He helped me.”
Her hand tightens on my sleeve. “You brought one.”
“His name is Shadow.”
“I said no bikers.”
“And I ignored that because I’m not completely stupid.”
Jayce’s mouth almost moves.
Brianna lowers her sunglasses enough for me to see her eyes. Red-rimmed. Wet.
“He’ll call the others,” she whispers.
“He’s going to keep us safe.”
“I can’t do this if he’s staring at me like that.”
“He’s not staring.”
“He is.”
I glance back.
Jayce is absolutely staring.
At everyone, but still.
His gaze moves from Brianna to the hallway, the counter, the rear exit.
He doesn’t like it.
I can see how much he doesn’t like it.
Then his earpiece crackles.
His jaw tightens.
“Ghost,” he says under his breath.
Brianna flinches.
Jayce steps closer to the table, lowering his voice. “I’m stepping outside. Window only. Ten feet. You stay where I can see you.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
