Mateo’s fierce.
I rolled my eyes and started for the door. “Girl dads or not, you’re allidiots. And so is Locke if he thinks that kid has any intention of being where she’s supposed to be today.”
“You don’t know what he thinks, Orls.” Nash intercepted me. “Maybe you should stay out of it.”
I considered it for less than a second. I’d been that girl surrounded by big growly men who thought they knew which way was up, and it wasn’t as much fun as it looked.
Nash released me. Physically. His gaze still held me in place, and for a split second, I felt like his eyes were Saint’s, desperately trying to tell me something he couldn’t find the words to explain.
But it passed, and Nash gave his attention to the room. “Ranger checked in.”
The atmosphere behind me shifted gears. I felt Cam sit up straighter. Sensed River backing away. And wherever I was going, it was definitely my cue to leave.
I left the chapel, scanning the compound for Locke and his lookalike daughter, and it didn’t take me long to spot their blond heads giving the garage a wide berth and heading for the gate to walk to the bus stop.
My car was outside the sales building. I strode to it and slid behind the wheel, beeping my horn until Locke deigned to look around.
I opened the window and beckoned him over. “Get in.”
He gave me a stubborn scowl, only his grip on Willow stopping him from folding his arms across his muscled chest. “We don’t need a lift. We’re only going to the bus stop.”
I ignored him. “Where’s your college, Willow?”
She rattled it off, and in truth, it wasn’t that far. Fifteen minutes on the bus.
Ten the way I drove my RAV4. “Hop in, sweetheart.”
Willow wriggled out of Locke’s hold and scrambled into the back seat.
Locke pursed his lips and treated me to the look that made Nash weak at the knees. “As if I need reminding I have the authority of a do-not-tumble-dry label.”
“Over me or her? Because I’m pretty sure you never told her not to get in my car.”
“We’re going to the bus stop.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I mean it.”
“Yup.”
He didn’t. Locke’s life story remained an enigma, but the only reason he didn’t have authority over Willow in this moment was because he didn’t want it.
Over me? Heh. It varied. And often caught me off guard.
Locke jabbed a thumb at the passenger seat.
I scooted over without a second thought, fishing my phone from my pocket to inform my overlords of my intentions.
Orla:I’m going out.
Cam:Wait.
Orla:No.
Cam:5 mins.
Orla:5 mins until what? My free will returns to me?
