Logan’s face softens as he strokes my cheek with his knuckle. He did the same thing last night, from what I can remember. I like his touch. It’s warm. Comforting. Safe.
I like how it makes me feel; like nothing can get me, even when all arrows are pointing at my demise.
“I’m sorry if I’ve been hard on you.”
I shake my head. “It’s okay. I need a reality check, clearly.”
“Only when it comes to your safety. We can’t put you in any unnecessary danger, Payd. There’s too much at stake. Meanwhile, we’ll look into this whole Becca thing while we’re there, and Sawyer is tryin’ to trace the last call.”
“I don’t even want to ask how he’s doing that.”
“Illegally.” Logan shrugs. “But he’s good at evading the law.”
“I know Willow is by the book, but surely she’d reach out to the Department of Justice? I need to know Beeca is okay.”
Only them, and the US Marshall’s office know the whereabouts of people in witness protection. Rightly so. It’s designed that way for a reason.
“Sit tight. She’s doin’ all she can, but right now, we gotta get up and move at first light.”
“Jesus, we sound like we’re on the run—” I frown. “Holy shit, we’re on the run!”
“Just breathe, Angel. I said I’d take care of you, and before you bust my balls, I know you’re a strong, independent woman who has been lookin’ after herself her whole life, but it’s okay to let someone else take the reins when things go off the grid.”
I let his words settle before I answer. “I wasn’t going to bust your balls. I think, after everything that happened, I need to get away for a while. I need to find Becca and make sure she’s okay.”
“It’ll also mean ditchin’ your cell phone.”
“I’m assuming you’ve already arranged a new number?”
His lips twitch. “You catch on quick.”
I roll my eyes. “I’ve been reading people for quite a while, Logan Dawson. I could tell you some things.”
“Well, Payden Benedict, since we’re usin’ formalities, I don’t doubt any of that, but it means keepin’ a low profile.”
“Only my brother will know where I am since apparently he’s a Hellion.”
“Yeah, it’ll give you time to do some family bondin’.”
“I have no clue why he would lie to me.”
“Like I said, maybe he didn’t think you’d approve.”
I narrow my eyes. “I’m not a snob, Logan. I have nothing against him joining a club, but from what we know of the Hellions, they’re not exactly the NOLA Rebels.”
He tries, and fails, to keep a straight face. “Their business practices may be somewhat questionable?—”
“Wait, are they one percenters?”
“No, they’re not, but they do shift guns and launder money from time to time.”
“Holy shit, and Declan is patched in.”
“From what I know, he’s been prospectin’ for a year and just patched in.”
I close my eyes, trying to imagine my sweet baby brother being a part of the Ridgehaven Hellions. I respect Cash, and this club, but Bane Adler does things differently.
He’s notorious for causing issues with another club, the Skeletons, and they basically have a legendary war going on over there. One I don’t want to get in the middle of.
