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Mollie shakes her head. “I’d love to know how.” She looks off to the distance, her brows knitted.
I think the same, also worrying what that means for Dean. “Have we got any way of finding out?” I wonder.
Mollie checks my expression. “I had a call telling me the case was dropped. That was it. No explanation, just done. Finished. I haven’t heard from Dean to know if anyone came to see him, talked to him, nothing. I’ve worked pretty hard putting a case together, you know? And for what?”
I’m not sure I do know. The closest I can think of is putting together Lauren’s case, only for her not to show the day we expected her. But I can imagine, and I know how hard she’s worked to make sure he doesn’t serve time. “Do you think it’s…” I struggle to say the word. “Is it legal?” I blurt out, “him getting out I mean?”
She nods. “Has to be. No other way he comes out without being immediately on the run or picked up again.”
I slump, and Mollie taps her finger on the counter. “Would he?” she says to herself.
“Would he what?” I ask dubiously.
She scratches her head in thought. “Would he rat?” I scrunch my eyes. “Would he work with the law for his freedom?” she clarifies.
My mind whirls. I really don’t think he would be capable of going against the club for his freedom. But would he do anything to ensure he came home to me? My hands shake, a coldnesstravels from my head to the tips of my toes. Without a doubt, he wouldn’t let anything stop him from doing what he wanted.
“Shit,” I release on a sigh.
“Shit, indeed.”
Reality settles in between us for a second. Thrumming my fingers against my mug, I can’t help letting out a huff. “How did you do it?”
“Do what?” she asks, scepticism rife in her voice.
My eyes roam over her face. She doesn’t give anything away. “It’s clear you know how to live my life, Mollie.”
Mollie drops her head, not looking at me. Resting her hands to her forehead, she then brushes her hair behind her ears, blowing out her cheeks. “You love him?” she asks briskly.
I nod, giving her a confused smile as I wait for her to continue.
“Then I told you. Ride it out. Your only other option is to leave, which we both know you won’t do.” Her eyes dart down, hinting to the baby.
I chew the inside of my mouth, contemplating my response.
I rode out the time Dean was away. Does that mean I now have to sit around and wait for it to happen again? I can’t do that. Not with the baby coming. I won’t. “Is that what you did?”
Mollie’s stark look back at me suggests I’ve hit a nerve. I hold my ground, not budging on where I stand. I need to know how I help Dean. “I did what I thought was best for my family,” she says boldly.
“Which one?” The words fly out of my mouth before I have any chance of stopping them.Shit.She’s taken aback. “I’m sorry,” I quickly add, cursing myself internally. That was a low blow.
Mollie remains quiet. I’ve worked out her secret. The boy in the photo looks nothing like the man stood behind him. He looks like someone else we both know. “Does Travis know?” I ask.
She gives me another knowing look before her faceunexpectedly plummets, her voice heavy with emotion. “Mads, I’m not ready to talk about this.” Fear stares back at me. A truth has come out. She’s wanted to tell me—someone, for a while now, but it doesn’t come easily. It hurts.
I’m not sure how long we sit in silence for, but looking at Mollie, it is undeniable she’s savvy with club life. Her admission to once loving Travis is a clear indicator she knows what I’m going through. I don’t know the whole truth, but she needs to know she has me.
I get up and walk to her, wrapping my arms around her without hesitation. I’ve been there, the crippling loneliness… she’s been fighting this for too long.
After a while, she leans into me, her hand resting on my arm around her.
When I pull away, I look to her, and she smiles.
Mollie then swipes the corner of her eye, changing the conversation. “Think you can get him to talk? Dean, I mean? Get him to tell you anything that I can look into.”
She’s asking me to help her. To find out what’s really going on. A lifeline.
I sit back down. If anyone can find out who or what is behind Dean’s release, it’s her. With a firmness to my voice, I reply, “I’ll make sure I get something out of him. He’s at the clubhouse now with the guys.”
