The officers exchanged looks as the interpreter gave them the information they sought.The mustached one frowned, flipping through the folder again.The interpreter spoke directly to him without signing.He dropped his hands and frowned.She was testing him.Maybe they believed he was pretending to be deaf.
Assholes.
Hunter kept his expression blank, his hands folded in his lap.
The officer shrugged."This man has a record.He's deaf and unable to talk.We brought an interpreter in.If Stevens has something on him, he'll need a warrant.We have nothing to keep him.I'm not losing my job over this."
The woman signed that he was free to go and collect his belongings at the desk.
Minutes later, he was escorted to the front, where his vest, wallet, knife, and phone were returned.Thank fuck, he'd left his pistol with Annie.
Hunter walked out of the station, the afternoon air hitting his face like freedom.
He adjusted his cut, scanning the lot before he tried to get his bearings.He pulled out his phone, but before he could text Prez, he saw Kodiak leaning against a black SUV, arms folded.
Hunter walked over, glad to see someone here to help him.
Kodiak studied him."You good?"
Hunter gave a short nod.
Kodiak's gaze flicked toward the road."Baddy's got the girls.Took them north."
Hunter's chest eased, but only slightly.He wanted to see Annie, to know she was okay, but he trusted Baddy.
Kodiak stepped closer."Cruz spotted more cruisers.They're circling.Jason's pushing hard.We can't sit still."
Hunter's jaw tightened.
"We ride out," Kodiak said."Before they box us in."
Hunter frowned."Hide them?"
The girls were still recovering.Last night and today were rough on them.They couldn't handle too much stress.
Kodiak shook his head."Baddy's already rolling them toward the...route.You'll catch up."
Hunter nodded once.His Harley would get him to Annie faster, but his bike was back in Vancouver.
Kodiak clapped him on the shoulder."You did well.Now let's finish it."
Hunter glanced back at the station, the glow of the lights fading behind him.He'd walked out free, but Jason's grip was tightening.
And if Jason thought Hunter would stop fighting, he was dead wrong.
