“Oh?”
“I refuse to miss taco night.”
“I don’t think anyone could blame you.”
She picked her glasses back up, folded the map, and slipped both under one arm.
I reached for her hand, and she took it without hesitation.We shared one more lingering kiss before she gave my fingers a gentle squeeze.“C’mon,” she said.“Let’s go eat.”
I followed her toward the stairs, watching as she climbed ahead of me with a confidence she hadn’t had when she’d first arrived at the clubhouse.
Somewhere between running for her life and searching dusty maps in our basement, it started to feel like she belonged here.
Chapter Sixteen
Goldie
By the time the sun started slipping toward the tops of the buildings, I finally understood why Tempi had insisted we all spend some time outside.
The clubhouse had started feeling smaller as the day wore on.
Not because it actually was, but because every conversation revolved around the same things.
The Ledger.
The tunnel.
The paperwork.
Gene Kettler.
Every time someone walked past a window, heads turned.Every creak of the old building made someone look up.Even when everyone tried to relax, nobody really did.
So after tacos, Tempi had planted both hands on her hips and announced that everyone was getting fresh air before they all went completely insane.
Twister hadn’t looked thrilled.Actually, he’d looked downright irritated.“I don’t like sitting out in the open,” he’d muttered.
Tempi had rolled her eyes.“I don’t like feeling trapped inside all day.”
Britta had immediately chimed in.“I vote outside.”
Then, before I even realized I was speaking, I’d joined them.“I could use some sunshine, too.”
Twister had looked between the three of us like he’d somehow ended up in a losing argument before it had even started.He’d sighed dramatically.“Fine.”Then he’d immediately started assigning security.
Sully and Gramps were sent across the street to keep watch.Chewy, Cord, and Plug were sent around back to keep watch there.They were getting outside time, too, but in a dingy alley.
The rest of the guys kept their eyes moving every few seconds.
Even sitting outside, nobody truly relaxed.
Still, it was nice.
The evening air carried the smell of fresh-cut grass from somewhere nearby.Cars rolled past every now and then, but traffic had slowed for the night.The umbrella over the table cast enough shade to keep the last bit of heat off us while the breeze stirred the edge of the fabric every few seconds.
Hodge sat with one boot stretched out in front of him.Nugget rocked his chair back on two legs until Plug threatened to kick it out from under him.
Twister sat stiffly beside Tempi, scanning the street more than he participated in the conversation.
