Because it didn’t.
My decisions were final.
Whoever didn’t like them could fuck right off.
Marcus scanned the room, no doubt looking for solidarity.
He crossed his arms, a satisfied look of importance bringing out a smile. “Just wondering why we’re harboring a cop. Thought we had standards.”
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the room.
Bryce stood near the pool table, his jaw clenched in anger.
Danny, one of our newest recruits, spat on the floor when his eyes landed on Noelle.
My protective instincts flared.
Only the feel of Noelle’s hand in mine stopped me from knocking the man’s teeth out of his mouth for the blatant show of disrespect.
They deserved an explanation.
They’d earned it with years of loyalty and brotherhood.
I stepped forward.
“I’ll tell you why she’s here.” I brought Noelle in front of me and wrapped my arm around her chest without ever letting go of her hand. “She’s here because she put her life on the line to warn us about an ambush. She’s earned your respect, cop or not.”
Marcus’s expression didn’t soften.
If anything, it turned colder. “After she spied on us for weeks.”
So they’d heard us talking about that.
I wished they hadn’t.
It made things more difficult, but I wasn’t giving up on Noelle.
Not ever again.
“That’s right, after she spied on us. You know what she discovered by spying on us?” I let the question hang in the air.
Curious looks shifted between my men.
They’d been more than happy to talk to Noelle when they thought she was a reporter. “She learned that we’re exactly who we’ve always been. She learned that we’re good men trying to make a difference in a shit world.”
“She’s still a fucking cop, Rafe.” Danny didn’t seem inclined to let it go.
He even took a step toward me, his young face twisted with disgust. “Blood doesn’t wash off that easily.”
Bishop closed the distance and lifted the boy to the tips of his toes with one hand in his collar. “What do you know about blood? Have you been shot for someone you love?”
At Danny’s panicked look, Bishop unleashed his terrifying grin. “I have. And you'd better remember to watch your mouth, prospect.”
He pushed Danny away.
He could have launched the poor kid ten feet, but he barely gave him enough momentum to send him staggering into the guy behind him.
Noelle breathed a quiet sigh, her free hand coming up to grip my forearm like it had become her lifeline.
