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“None, but we were right. When we replied to Kincaid that the other chapter is here, his response never came because he got his answer from somewhere else.”
“Declan.”
SEVEN
Scarlett
This week'stop podcast plays from the Bluetooth speaker in the garage that I’ve linked up to my cell phone. The usual drawl of the presenter soothes me the best it can as I polish the chrome detailing on my motorcycle. I know I’m stressed when I need the podcastandthe labor of cleaning my Harley Davidson.
Yesterday may have had some positive outcomes, in the sense that we know what side both Declan and Graham are on in this war, especially since it’s not technically the same, but that doesn’t make their betrayal any easier for the guys. It also makes me want to rip their goddamn heads off. Fuck being incognito, it’s not worth it if they’re still breathing; Declan more so than Graham.
I’ve been out here for almost two hours already this morning, completely alone, and it’s calming and exhausting all at once. I ran out of water about thirty minutes ago and I’ve been slowly melting from the heat ever since.
Axel and Ryker are out on a job somewhere, and Emmett and Gray are inside doing whatever it is they do to relax, giving me a moment to think about just myself. It’s so easy to get swept up in every single moment of the club that you can forget how to survive without the adrenaline coursing through your veins. So here I am—grounding myself.
Refusing to leave until I’m done, I run my cloth over the final chrome panel before taking a step back and wiping the sweat from my brow. Pleased with my handiwork, I head back to the main building to get a drink or two. Once I get back, I can shift my focus to the wheels, anything to keep me busy.
There are a few members and prospects in the yard, chatting among themselves and smoking, and they offer a nod or murmur of acknowledgement as I walk past. It’s still weird to me, to be acknowledged above all the clubhouse craziness. At the Reapers, I was their most powerful asset, yet treated like shit, and my self-doubt allowed it. Here, everything is different.
Stepping inside, I sigh with relief at the blow of the AC and slow my steps toward the kitchen to appreciate it fully. Thankfully, I make it all the way to the fridge without a run-in with a Ruthless Bitch or anyone from the other chapter, and I make sure to grab a few bottles of water to keep me going.
It’s not until I’m at the doorway, ready to head back out again, when I hear raised voices come from down the hall.
Who the fuck is that?
Curious, I follow the sound of the commotion. Two steps away from the lounge and I’ve narrowed it down to Emily and Emmett, but when I step into the room, I find Shift and Gray there with them.
“That’s not fair, Emmett. You’re being an asshole,” Emily shouts, arms folded over her chest. Her eyes are puffy, cheeks red, and her bottom lip is a little wobbly.
“I can live with being an asshole if it keeps you safe, Emily,” he says, matching her stance. Despite his harsh words, regret and disappointment shine in his eyes, but he clearly believes in whatever he’s saying enough to push past it. That doesn’t make it okay for me to see her so worked up though.
“What’s going on?” The pair of them whip around to glance at me. Even Gray and Shift glance at me with relief. Emmett dips his head, while Emily swipes at her face. Both moves only irritate me more as I watch Emily suffer. “Emmett, I’m going to need you to start talking,” I push, taking a step toward them, but it’s Emily who sighs.
“He’s pulling me from college.”
Did she just say what I think she just said? The guilt on Emmett’s face tells me all I need to know.
“You can’t do that, Emmett.”
He cringes at my words, but shakes his head all the same. “I can, and I will.”
I scoff, taking another step toward him as I wag my finger. “No, you fucking can’t,” I bite, hating the disappointment written all over Emily’s face. But Emmett only stands taller, doubling down on his decision.
“There’s no one to protect her when she's there, Scarlett. I don’t trust any of the prospects enough yet, and we can’t risk being a man down at the moment, which leaves her completely exposed, and I can’t do that.” His chest heaves, his arms moving animatedly with each word as he tries to get me to see it from his point of view. And I do.
He loves his sister more than anything, but caging her in isn’t the answer to this. Stripping her independence and prospects for the future is going to have the opposite effect on her than what he wants. As much as we all want to keep her safe, it can’t come at the cost of her freedom.
Looking at my best friend,mysister, all I see is loss and frustration in her eyes, and I can’t bear it. I turn back to Emmett on the balls of my feet, shoulders rolled back as I brace for impact.
“I can do it.”
“No, you can’t,” they respond in sync as the White brothers remain quiet on the sofa, neither agreeing nor dismissing my offer. At least it wasn’t a full house like I anticipated. That tells me I’ve got a chance to help her here. Emmett just needs to listen.
“Why is that?” I ask, glancing between them, my fingers flexing around the water bottles at my side as I wait for a viable response, and it’s Emmett who tries first.
“For safety reasons.” His gruff words hit me hard, my hand flying to my chest in surprise as I squint at him.
“Did I not keep her safe last time?” My emotions are high, my hurt noticeable in the croak of my words. His eyes widen as he takes a step toward me, but I quickly take one back.
