But we only just fucking met, and I should muster some patience instead of overwhelming her from the start.
She looks like she scares easily. Like the wrong words at the wrong time might break her, so I zip my mouth and take us to Carter’s. I don’t speak again until we park outside his house.
“I’ll need your help in there or Carter will bite my head off for taking you. He doesn’t know about this.” I touch her cheek again, just to feel her skin beneath my fingers. “He won’t be pleased I went rogue, but once he sees why I took you, he’ll understand.”
She nods once, her face soft, open, so pretty my heart doubles in size. “Okay, I understand. I’m sorry for the trouble.”
“You’re no trouble.”
I unbuckle her seat belt, then hop out, round the hood, and take her warm hand in mine. Somehow, I don’t think I’ll ever get over how precious she is. How delicate.
The soldier stationed outside cocks an eyebrow but doesn’t comment. He bows low, letting us inside where our footsteps echo down the hallway.
We enter the huge living space where Carter, Broadway, and Ryder sit, the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air. The girls are nowhere in sight, but their voices drift down the stairs.
And I realize I was due for a meeting here an hour ago.
Oh well. There’s no fixing that now.
My boss spots us, his eyebrows bunching together. “What the fuck is happening?”
The girls spill down the stairs in a flurry of footsteps, their voices rising in alarmed chorus. Bianca elbows past everyone, fear marring her face.
“Ryder—”
He catches her wrist and drags her into him, both arms snapping around her frame. “It’s okay, baby.”
“Explain,” Carter seethes. “Why is she with you?”
“I took her.” I shift in front of Leilani. I don’t like how everyone’s staring at her. “I need a safe house.”
“Youtookher?” Carter’s eyes narrow, fury rolling off him. “You fuckingkidnappedher? What the hell were you thinking? She’s Jax’s girl!”
“Stop it!” Hailey surges forward, eyes flashing with anger. “Watch your tone. You’re scaring her.”
He inhales and exhales, getting his bearings before he speaks again, with a touch less menace. “I want answers. Now.”
Leilani shrinks behind me, shifting her weight from one leg to the other. I catch her arm, gently pulling her forward.
“It’s okay,” I whisper. “Just... let them see.” I brush her hair aside, revealing the dark bruise on her swollen cheek.
Carter goes still, his fury redirected. The girls give a collective gasp, and Broadway drags a heavy hand down his face as he and Ryder spit out a chorusedfuck.
6
Leilani
This isn’t going according to plan... which is unsurprising, considering the plan was weak at best, devised on the fly when I overheard Blaze telling Jax about visiting Carter Willard.
I didn’t know whatthe meeting was about, but it didn’t matter. I heardWillardand my heart soared, a way out of this elaborate nightmare materializing before my eyes.
I should’ve planned better, though. I should’ve put my ear against the door and listened to Jax and Blaze properly. Then I’d know they’re working with Carter.
And that means Octavius is involved, since Noretto answers to him directly...
But I didn’t listen. I didn’t think things through. I simplyactedand not well...
My memory of Carter is somewhat blurred around the edges. I haven’t seen him in years, and I spent almost three of those living in an alternate, nightmarish dimension.
