It was being away fromLane. That man was my home now, and being separated from him was unnatural.
When I reached the city limits, instead of heading straight out to the ranch, I swung down Cassia and pulled up to the grocery store. I didn’t want to show up at Birdie’s house empty-handed, so I ran inside, grabbed a bottle of wine, then continued on my way.
As though he knew exactly when to expect me, Lane was already waiting on the porch. I’d barely put the car in park before he opened the door and pulled me out. I climbed his body, wrapping my arms around his neck and legs around his waist. Burying my face in his neck, I inhaled deeply, recommitting myself to his scent, his warmth,him.
“Fuck, baby,” he breathed. “I missed you.”
Pulling back, I captured his lips with mine. Instantly, our mouths opened, tongues tangled. I couldn’t press myself close enough, and though he was holding me tight enough to force the air from my lungs, I didn’t mind. I’d gone far too long without this.
Distantly, I registered a car door slamming, followed by someone yelling, “Get a fucking room!”
I wrenched myself away from him, not because I was embarrassed by having been caught but because I didn’t trust myself not to drag him into my backseat and rip his clothes off right now.
“Later,” Lane promised.
“Later,” I agreed.
He returned me to my feet, then took my hand in his and led me inside.
The family greeted me with open arms, and I spent ten or more minutes being passed around amongst the brothers, Birdie, and Aspen and Reagan, hugged and cheek-kissed within an inch of my life.
After that, we all helped Birdie carry food to the table. Drinks were poured, and plates were filled, but right as we sat, a loud knock came at the front door, followed by it creaking open.
“Sheriff?” someone shouted.
Lane turned to me. “Shit, I forgot Johns was coming,” he said with a chuckle.
Apologizing to Birdie, we both rose from the table, intent on meeting Johns in the foyer, but he appeared in the doorway to the dining room.
“Hey, man,” Lane said. “Let’s go sit in the den.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Johns said, eyes on me. Reaching for his belt, the world seemed to slow as he reached for something, coming away with his handcuffs.
“The fuck?” one of Lane’s brothers asked, but he sounded so far away.
“Sutton Rausch,” Johns said. “You’re under arrest.”
“Arrest?” All the blood seemed to drain from my upper extremities, settling in my feet and lower legs, turning them to lead. “For what?”
He ignored me, turning me surprisingly gently for someone about to haul me off tojail, collecting my hands behind me and slapping the cuffs on. The metal was so cold against my skin, it stung like frostbite.
“Johns!” Lane shouted as his undersheriff began reading my rights to me. “What the fuck is going on.”
“Sorry boss,” Johns said to Lane when he finished Mirandizing me, though I noted he didn’t sound remorseful at all. “Just doing my job.”
“What is she under arrest for?”
“Assault.”
“Assault ofwho?” I demanded.
“Stop talking, sunny,” Lane said, but not unkindly. “It’s gonna be okay. I’ll call you an attorney and meet you at the department. Just…not a word. It’s gonna be okay, baby. I promise.”
I nodded along like I believed him, but I didn’t. There was no way he could make that guarantee. Everything was happening so fast, and his own department hadn’t even made him aware of what was happening before coming for me. To me, at least, it was obvious they were attempting to ice him out.
His bias toward me was costing him the ability to do his job, and his team was turning on him.
I was loaded into the back of Johns’ cruiser, having to angle myself forward uncomfortably in deference to my arms behind my back. As we drove away, I looked out the window to see theentire Lawless family gathered on the front porch to watch me go.
