AllFreeNovel
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“What about you?”
“Would you believe Lucy snores like a truck driver after thirty-six hours on the road?”
I think about it for a moment and shake my head. “No. Try again.”
Charlie lets out a deep sigh and tilts her head back to the stars.
“Guilt, fear, the never-ending pit of doom I feel in my gut.” She waves a hand toward the sky. “Take your pick.”
A puff of air leaves my lips. “That’s a lot to unpack there, Charlie girl.”
She startles at my nickname. “Nope,” she says, holding up her index finger. “That sounds like you’re calling a dog.”
A laugh tumbles from my lips. “Noted. I’ll work on it.”
Charlie nods and responds in a prim voice. “Thank you.”
A couple beats of silence pass before I speak again.
“Why the guilt?”
“What’s not to feel guilty about?” She lets out a humorless laugh. “I’ve dragged my best friend across the country with me out of some sense of loyalty on her part, putting her life in danger. I’ve dragged you and your club into another mess with Jace and come to find out, the Irish mob as well. And once again, you’re taking the role of protector for someone you barely know. Last time you did that, you went to prison.” Charlie lets out another sigh. “So, yeah, I feel guilty.”
I consider all of her points before I hold up a finger of my own.
“First, Lucy is here because she’s fierce and loyal to you. That’s the kind of shit I’ve only seen with my brothers.” I hold up another finger. “Second, my club is involved with a lot of shit, but I’ll tell you right now, there isn’t a single one of us who would stand by and let a piece of shit like your ex attack you and threaten your life while we sat back and watched just because the Irish are involved. It isn’t in our DNA, sweetheart.” I hold up a third finger. “And third, when you live the kind of life I do, prison is always a possibility.” Charlie opens her mouth to argue. “No, Charlie. There was always a chance I would go to prison for something club related. It’s a chance we all take, and we’re all prepared for it. I did what I did that night for more reasons than what he did to you.”
She gives me a small nod in understanding while she absorbs everything I just told her.
“I hope one of these days you’ll tell me,” she says softly, looking back at the stars.
“One of these days, I will.”
Charlie bites her lip, and it takes everything in me not to reach over and pull it from her teeth.
“I also wanted to apologize for what I said at the bar.”
My brows draw down with confusion at her statement.
She turns her head and locks her gaze with mine. “When I said you wouldn’t have helped me if you would have known who Jace’s cousin was. I know that’s not true.”
I’d forgotten about that little dig, but the reminder brings back the sting I felt. It’s true what I said to her. No one in my club would sit back and let a man beat on a woman just because of business ties. It’s sad to think that’s all she had known when she was with Jace.
“Don’t sweat it, angel.”
Charlie sends me a questioning look.
“Like Charlie’s Angels, because, you know.” I wave my hand in her direction.
“That’s even worse than the first,” she replies, rolling her eyes again.
“I’ll work on it some more.”
“Or, and this is just a thought, you just call me Charlie.”
“Nah, this is more fun.”
“Lord, help me.” She laughs, looking toward the dark sky as she rises from the lounger. “I’m going to go back to my room and try to get a little more sleep before we leave.”
