Grabbing her shoulders, I pulled my new wife to her feet. “Look at me, Scarlett. I want you to see everything.”
Sliding in softly, I watched as her jaw slackened and her breath caught.
“I love you.” I breathed deeply as I slowly made love to my girl against the wood-paneled wall. There was nothing fast, nothing fancy, just us, pure and raw, taking in the moment of us surrendering to the commitment we’d just made.
When we finished, I helped Scarlett fix her dress before opening the top drawer. “Want a little more tradition?” I asked, taking out two packets of RazzApple Magic Fun Dip.
“Why the heck not?” She grabbed the candy from me and ripped open the packet.
With blue lips, we made our way back into the bar.
Trent clapped me on the back as I leaned against the bar next to him. “Atta boy,” he said, congratulating me with a knowing smile. “Doin’ Abel proud.”
Just as I was about to respond, my cell rang. Checking it, I saw Weston Davis’s name flashing.
“I gotta take this.” I pushed away from the bar and made my way outside.
“Yeah?” I answered.
“Hey man, I know this is none of my business, but I just caught wind from a buddy of mine at the DA’s office that Scarlett’s ex-husband was released a couple of days ago. Thought y’all would want a heads-up.” I could hear the worry in Weston’s voice. Over the years of me working on his bike at Wheeler’s, we had developed a decent friendship. I kept my business to myself for the most part, as did he, but we both knew which side of the law we each stood on.
“We’re aware, but thank you for the tip.”
“I can try to call around and see if anyone has spotted him for you if need be. I know he isn’t the most savory of characters.”
“I’d appreciate that, man. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. I’ll let you know what I find out.”
I stood outside for a few minutes, and the reality of our situation smacked me hard. The time for fun and games was over. I needed to switch gears.
As the sun started to lower behind the mountain line, I walked back in and over to Ryder. “I think it’s about that time, brother.”
He nodded. “I’ll pull the truck around.”
Scarlett, Crickett, and Raine were off in the corner. The threesome looked so happy and carefree, I hated to interrupt, but I knew it had to be done.
“Ladies,” I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck. “I think y’all are about to head west with Ryder and Collin.”
Scarlett hopped down, hooking her arm around my middle. “You’re not coming with us?”
I looked down at her face, the fear and worry battling away the elation that had consumed her being only seconds before.
“I’m going to smoke out the rat bastard while you’re safe up on the side of a mountain. I promise I will come for you as soon as I can.”
Chapter 4
Scarlett
“Ryder, I have to peeeeeeeeee,” Raine complained from the front seat as she bounced.
“At this rate it’s going to take us twice as long to get there because of your bladder,” he complained.
“It’s your son’s fault. If he would stop doing the damn tango on my bladder, I might be able to go a few more hours, but right now, it’s either you pull this damn truck over at the next rest area or I am going to piss all over your precious truck.”
“You better listen to my sister, Ryder—those hormones can flip on youquick.” Collin was dying laughing next to me.
Glancing back at his brother-in-law in the rearview mirror, Ryder responded, “Trust me, I fucking know.”
