“Addison?” Loxley’s disbelief reaches my ears before the two friends launch themselves at each other in a tight hug.
I stand, guilt eating me alive as Atlas watches his wife with a small smile.
Loxley pulls back, cupping Addison’s cheeks as her eyes bounce around her face. “You’re okay! Where have you been? What happened?!”
Slowly, every eye strays to me, and I clear my throat. “Um, what happened was—”
“Yeah, Rowan.” Thalia purrs. “Tell her what happened.”
I cut my sister a look that could kill before rubbing a hand across the back of my neck. I did the crime, now I have to do the time. “I drugged and kidnapped her.”
Loxley blinks. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I heard you correctly.”
Atlas places a hand on Addison’s shoulder before motioning for her to step aside as he wraps an arm around his wife’s waist.
“You heard right, Short Stack,” my brother whispers to her. There’s a pause before she tries to launch herself at me, but Atlas holds her back.
“THIS WHOLE TIME?!” She screams, causing the chatter in the bar to die down. She points a finger at me, pure rage stretching across her features. “I’VE BEEN WORRIED SICK ABOUT HER, AND YOU’VE HAD HER LOCKED AWAY!”
People are staring at us, but I deserve this. I caused Loxley to worry more than anyone. Her anger is warranted.
I hold my hands up in surrender, keeping my voice calm. “I did, and I’m sorry.”
“YOU’RESORRY!” She rages. “YOU DRUGGED HER!”
I want to defend my actions, but I can’t. What I did was wrong, even for me. This is a new low, and I feel the worst I ever have. I should have told her something. The days she spent worrying over Addison will haunt her for a lifetime, and it’s all because of me.
I deserve far worse than her anger.
I deserve her hatred—
Addison steps forward, surprising all of us as she blocks her friend’s view of me. “He didn’t go about this in the right way, but he kept me safe. Do I agree with what he did? No. But in the end, Rowan saved my life countless times while we were traveling. He feels bad for making you worry about me, but I’m okay, Lox. And he’s to thank for that.” She glances at me over her shoulder, giving me a small, reassuring smile.
Loxley doesn’t lose her fire, but Atlas relaxes his hold on her as she pins me with a death glare. “What the fuck is goingon here. Why are you defending him?”
Addison shrugs. “I’m not defending him, but he did save my life. Without him, I probably wouldn’t be here.”
That seems to simmer some of her rage for a moment as she glances between us. Her eyes stop on Addison. “We’re going to talk about this.”
“We will.” Sunshine agrees before her eyes widen, and she grabs Loxley’s left hand. “Oh, my god! There’s even more we need to discuss!”
Thalia’s head whips up. “Do I hear a girl’s trip?”
Alana’s expression turns contemplative. “The South syndicate isn’t an issue anymore, and I think Addison deserves some normalcy.”
Loxley links arms with my girl, who’s silently staring at the massive rock on her friend’s ring finger with a smile. “I’m not letting her out of my sight. Who else knew?”
Atlas slices a thumb over his throat as our eyes meet again, and I scowl at him.
“Could you find a tighter shirt?” Connor snorts as he glosses over the Sweet Haven shirt clinging to my brother.
Atlas curls his lip at the assassin. “This was the only size left, and I wanted to represent. Looks like no one else knew about Rowan’s activities.”
“Mhm,” Loxley hums in displeasure before patting his cheek. “You’re a terrible liar, baby. We need to have a discussion when I get back.”
Atlas nods, giving her a kiss before the girls gather their things. “I’m going to fucking kill you.” He whispers to me as he comes to stand beside me. “I’m in the dog house now.”
“Join the club,” I mutter.
