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“If you think losing the Wolves’ protection means they stay alive, that’s a pretty ridiculous thought. They’re important players. They’ll be killed the second NSC takes over.”
“At least they have a chance.” Something that strangely resembles a growl leaves my lips.
“So that’s it? Is that what I should tell Stan? There’s no going back from this.”
“No, that’s not it.”
He cocks an eyebrow, and I can’t help the smirk that spreads on my lips. “Make sure to tell Stan they make me come in ways he never could.”
Aaron pinches his lips, clearly holding back a smile. “For your sake, I won’t. Goodbye, Jade.”
The second I’m back on the shop floor, I sprint to the front of the store. Ethan and Elliot are standing by the doors, pacing. Elliot is on the phone, and I realize mine is vibrating in my pocket. I hate the looks on their faces. The worry, the anxiety.
Tears wet my eyes. They’re alive and well. They’re going to kill me for what I’ve just done, but I don’t care.
As long as they’re alive, I can take anything.
I run to them, the noise of my boots hitting the floor grabbing Elliot’s attention first. Without giving him time to react, I jump into his arms, wrapping mine tightly around his waist. I press my cheek to his chest.
“You’re okay,” I murmur.
One of his hands lands in my hair, caressing the curls. “Where the hell have you been?”
“Jade.” Ethan’s panicked voice reaches me, and I pull back in the slightest, keeping my left arm around Elliot as I wrap the right around his brother.
“I was so worried.”
“You were?” Ethan chuckles. “We’ve been looking everywhere for you. We thought something happened.”
I look up at both of them, and they notice the tears brimming in my eyes. They’re going to fall, I know they will, because I can’t stop them when I imagine anything happening to them.
“Something did happen,” Elliot grits.
“I’m so sorry.” My voice is small, reduced by my throat narrowing. “Kayla…she’s going to lose her shit.”
Elliot steps away, softly untangling himself from my hold. He looks around suspiciously. “Let’s go to the truck.”
I’m shaking when Ethan wraps his arm around my shoulders. They guide me back to the truck, Elliot sitting next to me in the back, and Ethan in the driver’s seat.
“What happened, my love? Talk to us.”
Something hurts in my palm, and I realize I’m still holding the Lego heart tightly. My fingers are stiff when I relax my fist. “I forgot to pay for this.”
The three of us watch my trembling hand.
Stealing is not something we have a problem with on the North Shore. It’s the least terrible thing we do. But not from thrift stores. Not when the money goes to charity.
Ethan opens his door. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
And he is. He runs to the store and is back quickly.
“Feel better?” he asks. “I threw a twenty on the counter. That shit is surely not worth twenty dollars.”
“Now talk,” Elliot adds.
“I’m sorry,” I rasp again. “The Wolves…”
“The Wolves?” Both of Elliot’s hands come to grab my shoulders. “Did you just confront a Wolf?”
