Damn.
“The system is top of the line and those Bounty boys broketheir bond agreements so they won’t be let out prior to their hearing, and nowmost of them will be standing trial for more than just the runs they weremaking,” Tack continued.I looked back to him to see his attention directed atMom.“Still, we’re not takin’ any chances,” his eyes came to me, “so we’llcontinue to have a brother on you.”
Okay.
That wasn’t happening.
“That isn’t necessary,” I murmured.
“We’ll agree to disagree on that,” he returned firmly.
That meant: You’re moving into the space we’re offering youand accepting our protection and there will be no discussion on either.
I, however, was feeling a discussion was necessary.
“Mr.Allen—” I started.
“I’m Tack to you, darlin’,” he cut me off, now speakinggently.“Always have been,nothin’schanged that.”
I stared him right in the eye.
“Mr.Allen,” I repeated resolutely, watched his jewel-blueeyes flash and his mouth set tight but I didn’t care, and this time he didn’tinterrupt me.“I’m sure you can imagine that I’m keen to move on from allthat’s happened and I appreciate your concern.But if you’ll tell me where youtook my stuff, Mom and I’ll go get it.I’m not Chaos’s problem anymore.”
“’Fraidat this point that’s notsomething that’s evergonnachange,” he replied.“Notthat you’re a problem, sweetheart.Just that you’re ours and we take care ofour own.”
That felt good but I couldn’t let it feel good.
So I didn’t.
“I appreciate your loyalty but what I’m trying tocommunicate is that I’m out.”
“Rosalie,” Hop said in a quiet tone, “you know, honey, onceyou’re in there’s never an out.”
I’d hoped for that…once.
I’d hoped to be a part of their family and never let go.
But I didn’t get it.
And now I didn’t want it.
(Okay, so I was just telling myself that but I hoped to getin that mindset in, say, five days to fifteen years.)
“I’ve never been in,” I returned.
“Sweetheart.”It was now Tack who was giving me the quiet.“You’re Chaos and you know it.You know how you are.But I’mguessin’ you know how deep that goes now, am I right?”
“Because I put my neck out for you and nearly got itwrung?”I asked, watching some of the crazy-freaky-scarycome back at a reminder of what happened to me.
“There’s that and there’s more, and I ’spectif you don’t know what that more is now, it won’t be long before you find out,”he answered.
That wasdefinitelynot going to happen.
I opened my mouth to share that when Tyra stepped forward.
“Kane, why don’t you and Hop step outside?”she suggested.
He turned his head toward his woman.“We’re notsteppin’ outside.”
