"What happened between them not arresting me and now?"He raked his hands through his hair."Even the cops admitted Jason's accusations don't fit someone who is deaf."
Kodiak shook his head."I don't know."
Hunter's jaw tightened."What do I do?"
"We.You're not alone."Kodiak leaned forward."Jason isn't going to give up.That's his wife in our clubhouse.Legally, he can claim..."
Hunter waved his hand, stopping him."Again"
Prez was talking too fast.He couldn't keep up.
"Jason Stevens has more to lose.Annie can point the finger at him.He'll want her gone.Leigh's his wife.He'll never let her walk free.He'll use the police to terrorize you.His word against yours."
"His what?"
"Word."Kodiak slowed and opened his mouth wider as he talked."I won't let you risk your freedom."
Hunter rocked back on the heels of his boots, the truth sinking like lead.He couldn't keep the girls hidden forever.Jason wasn't going to stop.But he could stop Jason from hurting them again.
"If they go to the police, will someone there help them?"he asked.
No one in the office wanted to say it outright, but he knew.The gas station had been his mistake.He should've been more aware.Should've looked behind him.Should've never left the truck.His deafness had put him at a disadvantage, and it had nearly cost them everything.
His failure burned hot in his chest.If Baddy hadn't been with him, the girls would've been taken to the police station and handed over to Jason the moment he arrived.
Angry at himself for his weakness.Angry at the situation that kept them running.Angry at his father and his fucking shotgun for stealing his hearing in the first place.
And beneath it all, the ache that he hadn't been enough to protect Annie killed him.
She deserved better.A man who could protect her without hesitation.A man who wasn't broken.If he had his hearing, he could better protect her.
But he wasn't one to give up.He always had the idea that if he couldn't adapt, he'd make his own fucking rules.That's what he'd do now.
"Jason has to be removed."He unfolded his arms."I'll stop him from hurting them."
Kodiak dropped his gaze and shook his head."He's a cop.It's too risky."
Hunter stood.His decision was already made."No more running.I'll find the fucker and take him out on my own."
"Hunter."Kodiak stood to stop him.
He walked out of the office and to the kitchen, where Baker had three bowls of soup and crackers spread out on a tray.He nodded his thanks and took the food back to the room as he wrapped his head around his decision.
When he reached the room, he paused at the door.He could hear nothing, but he felt everything.The pull of her presence, the temptation of her trust.
The tray shook.He wasn't worth it.But he'd show her that he could make her world secure.
Hunter kicked the door with the toe of his boot.Annie let him in, and he walked inside and set the food on the counter.Annie and Leigh were watching him with wide, questioning eyes.
"You'll stay here.No more running."He pointed at the food."Eat."
Annie grabbed his hand and brought his attention back to her."For how long?"
"Not long.I'll stop Jason."He cupped her face, strumming his thumb against her cheek."It'll be over soon."
Annie's brows knit together."How are you stopping him?"
He looked at each girl and shook his head.What he planned to do was best kept to himself.He wasn't going to involve them.They had enough to worry about.
