“Who called us is not your concern,” the older officer snaps. “Answer the question. Are you, or anyone with you, the owner of this property?”
“No, Officer,” Ringo answers just as Smitty cuts in.
“Define owner.”
I roll my eyes on Ringo’s behalf.
Why is the President of an outlaw MC basically like a child?
“Excuse me?” the officer barks, and I stiffen at the sharp edge in his tone, my gaze scanning the front yard for the other officers.
I instantly spot two standing in the driveway, but I can’t see the other two.
“The truth is, we came to visit a friend,” Ringo explains. “When she didn’t answer, we broke in through the back door because we were worried. We haven’t heard from her in a while, and well…” Ringo stalls, and even though I can’t see him from where I’m standing, I can still picture him gesturing over his shoulder. “She’s gone. Looks like she packed in a hurry. We were about to contact Caroline’s family to see if they’ve heard from her.”
“No need,” the older officer barks, waving one of the other officers over. “We’ll handle that.”
“Fabulous,” Smitty claps loudly, making me jump.
Jesus, this man. Why is he like this?
While the older officer speaks quietly to the one he waved over, the younger cop bellows in through the open door. “Everyone outside! Line up on the front lawn!”
My heart thrashes harder as I hear the heavy boots of the other club brothers echo through the house, making their way to the front.
“Hey, it’ll be okay.” JD’s voice startles me, and a mousy squeak flies from my lips before I can stop it.
My eyes go wide as I slap my hand over my mouth, while JD’s gaze snaps to the front door.
“Did they hear that?” I whisper, and even though he slowly shakes his head, I know he’s lying.
He can’t be sure, so I glance back through the white sheers to see the two officers, frowning as they peer in.
“Everyone out now! Or this won’t go well for you!”
Shit. Shit. Shit.
I’ve never been in trouble with the police before. The only time I’ve dealt with them was when I went to them for help, only to learn they wouldn’t.
They are all in on it.
As the men start filing out, Ringo steps back into view, holding his hand out to me.
“With me, Angel. Follow my lead.”
I glance from my husband to JD, who gives me a reassuring nod, so I step forward, taking Ringo’s hand. I feel a little steadier the moment he touches me, and he slowly leads me out of the house behind his club brothers.
The second we step outside, I feel every officer’s gaze lock onto me, tracking my movements as Ringo guides me onto the lawn, keeping me at his side.
The only thing that slightly calms me is how casual the other guys are. They’re not scared of the police, even though they carry guns… oh shit. The guns! Our guns!
Ringo’s hand tightens in mine, clearly sensing my tension, and I lean closer, whispering under my breath.
“The guns.”
Peering down at me, Ringo simply winks. “What guns?”
I’m about to snap at him when I remember how smoothly he slid mine from my grip earlier, setting it on the kitchen counter when we discovered the house was empty.
