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“Yeah, strange,” Johnny echoed, casting a glance at Uncle Cal that made me step back instinctively. “You better keep a damn close eye on your girl, Noah.”
“I will,” I replied, not bothering to correct him about her being my girl. I nodded to Creed, “Get the door.” He opened the back door of the police cruiser and I dumped Uncle Cal inside.
“Should we handcuff him?” Creed questioned, one cheek creased in amusement. “Just for the hell of it.”
“And get some pictures,” Tori added, pulling out her phone.
“Let’s get him out of here first,” I answered, nodding at Creed. “You’ll meet me over there.”
“Yep.”
It didn’t take long to dump Uncle Cal on the porch and take a few pictures for the club. Creed chuckled, swiping through the photos. “Sloan is going to flip when she sees these.”
“How is she?” I asked. “Surprised she hasn’t dropped by to give Cadence the third degree.”
“Eh, she hasn’t been feeling great. It won’t be long though. Especially now that Clutch is coming home.” He glanced at me. “She was worried. We all were.”
I nodded in agreement. “I’m grateful he got Kara back.”
“Yeah,” Creed agreed, his expression growing uncomfortable. “Look, about the other day…”
I interrupted, “We’re good.”
“Let me finish?” He asked and I nodded reluctantly, not really wanting to hear it. “I was wrong. I had no right to question your loyalty. You’ve never once given me a reason to doubt you. I hope you know I’ll always have your back.”
“Yeah, I know,” I answered, clasping his hand and he yanked me forward, pounding on my back. “Alright, we’re good,” I grunted, wrestling away from him. “Now, I need to go get Cadence.”
He shot me a shrewd glance. “She’s it for you.” I rubbed my mouth, not ready to answer that. He knocked my shoulder. “It wasn’t a question. Go get your girl. We’ll meet you at the clubhouse later.”
My phone chimed, a single word text. Leroy.
“I’m out,” I muttered, barely sparing Creed a glance as I headed to the cruiser.
“No problem,” he called after me. “I’ll walk. It’s only a mile.”
“Get in,” I retorted, gesturing to the car. “I’ll slow down enough for you to roll out.”
“Gee, thanks,” he mumbled, jogging after me. “Meet a girl and forget your friends.”
“You’re one to talk,” I countered and he shrugged sheepishly.
***
The gas station was dark when I pulled up, but I thought I could see a light in the back. I got out the car, scanning the lot automatically, the tightness in my shoulders easing slightly when I saw everything was quiet. I banged the side of my fist on the door and it wasn’t long before Crew appeared.
He unbolted the door, shaking his head as he muttered, “Good luck,” and walked past me. My gaze followed him to his bike, but the need to see Cadence overrode my curiosity at his words. I went in, remembering to bolt the door behind me, and walked to the back, knowing she would have found the coffee pot by now.
I could hear her, her voice more animated than I’d ever heard, and when I finally saw her the last of my tension disappeared. She was talking, her hands in constant motion, but it was the way Leroy watched her that made me pause, still hidden by the shadows. Somehow, she’d managed to enthrall yet another one of us if the way he stared was any indication.
I cleared my throat, not wanting to startle either of them. I hadn’t missed the shotgun propped next to Leroy, and Cadence hadn’t returned the handgun under my seat. I wouldn’t put it past her to have it on her somewhere. She turned, her face lighting up when she saw me, but it still caught me off guard when she launched herself at me.
I caught her, my arms coming around her slowly as she hugged me tightly. “It’s only been an hour,” I attempted to joke, but my voice was hoarse, giving away my own emotions. My eyes closed as I held her gently, absurdly grateful at her welcome.
“I didn’t know what your uncle would do to you,” she replied, the answer muffled since her head was still buried against my chest. “I thought you were going to shoot him.”
“I was,” I admitted roughly, my hand stroking her hair. “I would have if he hadn’t let you go.” My breath escaped me in a jagged sigh. “I still might.”
Her head tilted back so she could look at me. “That would be really dumb and dangerous,” she informed me and I tilted my head in acknowledgment.
“If he’s a threat to you….” I trailed off, not ready to verbalize just how far I would go to keep her safe.
“Then I’ll leave,” she replied.
“No!” I reacted instantly, and hearing the word echoed, my attention turned to Leroy, who had stood, taking a step toward us.
