Chapter 9
The moment Baddy touchedher shoulder in the kitchen, Lydia sagged with relief.Her body reacted before her pride could catch up.
He jerked his chin toward the back door."Come on."
She retrieved her jacket from the other room and followed him outside.The cool air brushed her cheeks, helping her get over her shock.The noise of the clubhouse faded behind them, replaced by the distant rumble of bikes.
The second they were alone, the questions burst out of her.
"Did you get my stuff?Did you find the money?Did Sonny—?"
"Lydia."His low, tired voice cut through her panic."I'm beat.All I want right now is to go home.I'll fill you in after I kick off my boots, get a shower, and eat."
"Okay.I'll wait."She hugged her middle, trying to hold herself together.
He rode a lot of miles today.Of course, he was tired.He'd gone on the ride for her.
She climbed onto the back of his bike and gripped his sides.The ride back dragged on longer than it should have, her mind spinning with every possible scenario.Sonny could've refused to hand over her things.Maybe Baddy didn't even get a chance to step into the bedroom and get the hidden money or her things.
By the time they pulled into his driveway, her nerves were stretched thin.
Baddy didn't say a word.He just walked inside, dropped his keys on the counter, and headed straight for the bathroom.
"Shower," he muttered."Don't touch the stove."
The door shut behind him.
The moment she was alone, her eyes darted to the entryway.
Her bag and backpack sat beside the door.
Her breath caught.He succeeded in getting her things back.
She rushed over, dropping to her knees.Her hands shook as she unzipped the duffel.The first thing she saw was the corner of the photo album.
A choked sound escaped her.
She pulled it out and hugged it to her chest, squeezing her eyes shut.She knew it was messed up, being attached to something that wasn't even hers.A book full of strangers.Faces she didn't know.Smiles that weren't meant for her.
She tucked the album under her clothes in the bag, hiding it like a secret.
Then she grabbed her backpack and dug through it until her fingers brushed a Ziplock bag.She pulled it out, heart pounding, and opened it.
The bills were all there.
Every single one.
She counted them twice just to be sure.
