I roll my eyes and start walking with him.
***
It’s been ages since I called Alex. I have no idea what’s taking so long. It’s got to have been at least three or so hours, and I’m starting to wonder if maybe she isn’t coming at all. T-Dog has been let out. The kid has been taken for a psych evaluation, and I’m here with the stocky guy, Kevlar, who’s a patched member of the Houston Defiance MC, which I’ve found out from talking to him. He doesn’t affect me much after hanging out with the Satan’s Savages back in Australia. I’m pretty good with bikers, I think, so Kevlar and I are getting along reasonably well at the moment.
“Levine,” the guard calls out, and I turn to face the bars.
“Yeah?”
“You’re free to go.”
I turn to Kevlar, raising my brows. “Hope it all works out for you, brother, and your old lady can come bail you out quickly.” I turn and shake Kevlar’s hand.
“You too, Matt. I think I’d rather stay in this cell than face the wrath of my Old Lady for getting in a bar fight while bringing her on vacation without the kids.” He scratches his head. “Ever need help, come find me in Houston. You hear me?”
“Yeah, thanks, man. Appreciate that. Good luck,” I say, slapping my hand to his and standing. I glance at the guard, who still appears bored. The gate opens slowly, and I walk off with him through the long hall, this time without the cuffs. I then back out toward the front of the station.
I wonder who’ll be there when I walk out, and as I make my way through, Nate, Ria, Ryan, Tillie, and Oliver—all still in their formal wedding attire—are standing there. I dart my head around further to see Alex talking to a police officer.
She’s wearing a yellow summer dress, which isn’t her usual style. It makes her look more innocent, sweeter, even with the aqua hair, curled and framing her face perfectly. Her makeup is flawless, and I stand still, just staring at her.
Alex is…
… fuckingbeautiful.
I’m amazed at how Alex can dress up in rocker-chic, then dress sweet and innocent like this, and pull off both looks so perfectly. It’s like I’m seeing her in a whole new light. Shaking my head slightly as the guard pushes my back, forcing me to move forward, I clear my throat, and everyone looks up.
“Here he is… the king of all idiots. I thought I wore that crown, but, dude, you’re giving me a run for my money,” Ryan mocks.
I roll my eyes, and Alex looks at me, chewing on her bottom lip.
“Shut up, Ry. Matt, are you okay?” Tillie asks, and I nod with a deep, drawn-out sigh.
“Yeah, just wanna go home and wallow in a vat of ice cream.”
“You sure you don’t wanna go hire a hooker and have some fun?” Ryan chuckles.
Tillie scoffs at him, smacking him upside the head as he moves to my side and bumps my shoulder. “So, I know I had a run-in with a prostitute. She helped me into a cab when I was drunk, but finding one online, Matt? Yeah, that takes it to new heights…” Ryan states.
“It wasn’t like that,” I defend.
Alex steps up and wraps her arm in mine defensively. “He knows, he’s just teasing like the asshole he is.” She looks up at me. “But really, are you okay?” Her eyes sparkle with intensity.
I nod, grabbing her hand and wrapping it in mine. “I am now,” I say and lean my temple to hers.
She cuddles into my side as Tillie signs some paperwork.
Oliver shakes his head. “I swear you guys never do anything by halves, do you?” He grabs a plastic bag from a policeman, and I notice it contains my cell phone and wallet.
“Gotta keep life interesting for you, right?” I state, and he huffs.
“C’mon, let’s get out of here before they change their minds,” Oliver says.
I furrow my brows.Change their minds.What does that mean?
We walk outside toward the waiting car. They were smart enough to bring a limo so we can all fit inside, and that’s when I notice Scott and Dwayne in the front.
“Hey, guys, I wanna thank you all for coming,” I say, and everyone nods while Ryan chuckles.
