“No, you don’t. But you knowme. I don’t do drugs.”
“What about your friends?”
“They don’t cane it either, unless you’re counting a bit of weed. Goddamn, girl. I’m unreliable, not irresponsible.”
A stand-off ensued. Long, loaded seconds where neither of us budged.
Then Kara sighed. “I’m sorry. That was bitchy and unnecessary. I know Willow’s safe with you and your friends. I’m just anxious. It’s the first time she’s been to anything like this.”
I accepted the apology with a shrug. The drugs thing was uncalled for, but I was never going to berate a woman for giving a shit about her child. “I won’t let her out of my sight, and I’ll check in every few hours. If you ever can’t reach me, call Folk.”
Kara nodded, but anything she had left to say was eviscerated by Willow blasting through the front door.
She bounced down the steps, almost twatting me with her guitar case. “I’m ready!”
I eyed the ripped jeans and crop top she wore. “Sure about that? I think you need more clothes.”
“Why? The bands I want to see are indoors.”
“Maybe those bands don’t want to see what you had for breakfast. Go find something that covers your damn ribcage.”
Willow shoved her guitar at me and stomped back inside.
Kara spared me a rare smile. “She told me there wasno wayyou’d have a problem with that outfit.”
“It’s not me she needs to worry about—all right, that’s better.”
Back in record time, Willow twirled on the doorstep. The top she’d swapped in was still bellytastic, but it would do.
We escaped Kara and hit the road, reclaiming our escort.
“How long will it take to get there?”
I glanced at Willow. “Half an hour, but we need to grab Nash and Rubi from the club first.”
“Who are they then?”
Willow pointed at the biker tail.
I rattled off the names.
Willow frowned. “Which one was Saint?”
“The quiet dude with Ranger and Nash a few weeks ago.”
“Who’s the other one?”
“Mateo. Liliana’s dad.”
“I thought that was Embry?”
“She has two. And no, Embry’s not coming.”
Wasn’t sad about it. Loved the dude, but my kid still had trouble containing herself around the pretty chaplain.
Willow stuck out her tongue and went back to her phone.
I drove to the compound and beeped for Nash and Rubi.
