“Let’s suppose this guy makes bail. What are you gonna do? Pop him on the jailhouse steps? Are you forgetting you can’t fuckin’ walk, nor can you maneuver an airport in order to get on a plane to Colorado? Not to mention the fact you’ll need to go on the run from the law. Which is what you’d end up having to do. ’Cause the club ain’t backin’ you in an unsanctioned hit.”
I threw my good arm in the air. “So what the fuck am I supposed to do? Trust the system? Trust that these animals aren’t gonna find Waverly and fuck with her again?”
“She’s not your responsibility, brother. I think you’re fucked up from what the Spiders did to youand that your attraction to her is somehow mixed up in all of that trauma.”
“This isn’t some kind of fucked up trauma bond, Hatch,” I growled. “I think I’m falling in love with her, man. I want to make sure nothing bad ever happens to her again.”
Hatch dragged his hands down his face. “You can’t do that. None of us can fully protect the ones we love. It’s a hard fuckin’ fact of life that every man has to face, once he finds someone he cares about more than himself.”
“I’ll cool my jets if you make me a promise.”
“What?”
“Should Cupid hit the streets, we have eyes on him at all times. And if he steps within a fifty-mile radius of Waverly, we take him out.”
Hatch sighed. “I can’t promise you that, but the Dogs will keep Waverly safe until we know Cupid’s put away for a long time. Good enough?”
I nodded. “Good enough.”
“But you gotta promise me you’re gonna downshift before your burn out.”
“I’m workin’ on it.”
“Good.” He rose to his feet. “Now, I need to help my woman with dinner, but first I need to cover my bike because apparently, we have to erase all evidence of club life.”
Waverly
IPULLED UP to Connor and Maisie’s home just before six-thirty, an absolute nervous wreck. So much so, I actually jumped a little when Maisie opened the door. “Oh, um, hi, Maisie. Sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry, darling. Gio’s been so excited all day, I practically had to make a run for the door. Come on in.”
I smiled, stepping inside and lifting the bag I was holding. “I brought wine and an apple pie. It was my grandmother’s recipe, so I hope that’s okay.”
“I have it on good authority that apple pie is Gio’s favorite, so well done, love.”
I couldn’t stop a blush as I followed her down thehall and to the kitchen. Walking into the room, Maisie took the bag from me and set it on the kitchen island. “Waverly made an apple pie.”
“No way,” Gio said from his place on the chair in front of the television. “That’s my favorite.”
“I told her,” Maisie said.
Connor was leaning against the kitchen counter by the sink. “Hey, Waverly.”
“Hi, Connor. Thank you for having me.”
“Thank you for comin’.”
“Can I help with anything?” I asked.
“No. We’re almost ready. Make yourself comfortable, honey,” Maisie said.
I nodded and made my way over to Gio.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said, smiling up at me.
“Hey. You look great.”
He chuckled. “Amazing what a shower and a shave can do, huh?”
