Garrett had brown hair. It was different than what I had said, but not distinct enough.
“Bulky. Muscular.”
“I think I know who you’re talking about.”
I wasn’t sure if it was a good thing or not that I’d so easily fooled my brother.
“I’ll take care of it,” Mason said.
“Wait,” I said. “What does that mean?”
Mason sighed.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“I do worry about it, Mason,” I said.
I tried to stay out of club business as much as I could, oftentimes choosing to not know things I could have. But I knew that if Mason attacked a Bandit without any good reason, the retaliation could be much worse. And I knew that if it came out later that I lied and Garrett had never said anything…well, the consequences would be catastrophic for both of us.
“Hannah, I understand your concern, but I need to do whatever I must in order to make sure he doesn’t bother you again. This is one of those spots where you are best left in the dark. OK?”
“I just don’t want to start something unnecessarily violent,” I said. “I’m not stupid; I know how you guys are.”
“I know that you know, but I also know that if we don’t send the right kind of message, this asshole will keep pursuing you and stalking you and maybe even hurting or raping you at some point.”
He won’t. Because he doesn’t exist.
“So I swear that I will do whatever it takes to help you, and I swear that I will not do so at a cost to myself. OK?”
This was the worst. But at least Garrett was free for now.
For now.
“OK,” I said. “Just be careful, Mason. I can handle myself some too, you know.”
“You still have your gun?”
I knew he couldn’t have meant it for Garrett, but there was something terrifying about how that all linked together.
“Yes.”
“Keep it with you at all times,” he said. “Sheriff Davis won’t come for you, but outlaws might. And stay inside as much as you can.”
I sighed. I agreed with him. Just not for the reasons that he thought I was.
“Yes, Mason.”
“Thanks. I’ll take care of this and will let you know as soon as it’s done. If anything, I mean so much as an awkward glance, comes your way, you let me know.”
With that, Mason hung up. I had solved the immediate problem. Garrett would not face any trouble, and there was still hope for us in the future.
But I’d probably just created another half-dozen problems, and things were bound to get shittier before they got better.
Garrett
Ifelt terrible.
I also felt like I’d done the only thing I could have done.
