“He said you’d say that.” Ari glances at the ground.
“He’d be right,” I tell her, and fold my arms over my chest. My eyes assess her and the weird tension between her and Zane. That fucker better not be trying anything with Ari. This girl is just figuring out her life, not to mention she’s Prez’s daughter. He’d put a bullet in Zane before Zane even opens his mouth if he were to find out.
“Anyway, I’m going to apologize to Doc too. Once you let her out of the cabin,” she scoffs at me.
I shake my head. “It will be a while then. Thinking of keeping her there until she admits she feels the same and can’t live without me.”
“Sounds like a good way to get your balls kicked in, Karm. And then Doc and I will really have something in common.” Ari raises her brow before heading back to the bar.
I follow behind her and find Zane still waiting for me, his eyes tracking our every move. His fatal flaw is that even once I sit at his side, he’s still watching her.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” I mutter under my breath at him, before taking a swig of my beer.
“I’m not doing anything,” he replies and swallows down what’s left in his glass.
I look him over and see the way he’s tense. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
Zane glares at me before turning away again. “I’m on security detail with Lyric tomorrow.”
“And?” I ask, feeling anger tighten my chest.
“She won’t talk to me, man. I haven’t talked to her since that night we returned from boot camp. I betrayed her. What if she wants nothing to do with me tomorrow?”
We sit in silence for a few seconds while he stews in his feelings. “Apologize. Lyric has a bigger heart than we deserve. I’m still apologizing, and I will every day, to make up for what I did to her. At least you aren't me, right? You only did what I asked you to do. Trust me, she understands. Just keep showing up and stop avoiding her.”
“Are you two good now?” he asks, and his throat bobs with emotion he won’t show.
“As good as we can be. I don’t expect her to forget what happened. She forgave me, but I know it's more about provingthat she can trust me, that I’m a different person. I can’t let her go again. It’s a fucking miracle I’m with her at all right now.”
“No shit,” he agrees. “The universe granted you this second chance. Don’t fucking hurt her again.”
The noise in the bar area increases and more brothers flow in. It’s been a while since I’ve done more than just pop in, and even though I’m enjoying it, I’m anxious to get back to Lyric. My phone vibrates and three texts from Lyric appear.
Lyric: Is the meeting done? I have to tell you something.
Lyric: Colt, call me when you can.
Lyric: A blocked number keeps calling me and Idk what to do!
“Fuck.” I push away from the bar and run out of the club doors. Zane is right behind me. “Get in the truck,” I yell at him. He scrambles in and we’re taking off out of the lot before my seat belt is even fastened.
“What is it? Is it Lyric?” he asks, his voice filled with a hint of panic.
I show him my texts. “A blocked number keeps calling her. Pull up the feed on the cameras and check it out. Either he’s messing with her or he’s here.”
Zane grabs his phone and starts going through images while I drive. It's only a few miles, but it feels like forever when fear and anger are pumping in my veins and my heart might explode.
“I’m not seeing anything on the stills. I’ll monitor tonight though. We can trade on and off shifts,” he offers, and I’ve never been more grateful. My truck swings into the drive and I’m bounding up the front steps and punching in the code.
We get in the door and Zane locks it behind us. “Lyric!”
I shout her name, and a few seconds later, she’s running down the stairs. Lyric’s body launches into me, arms winding around my shoulders while she buries her head in my neck. I squeeze her tight, before setting her down.
“I’m going to go look at the monitors,” Zane says over her head and he races to the back.
I nod at him, still holding Lyric. “Hey,” I gently pull back, so I can cup her face in my hands. “I got you. We’ll take care of it.”
She steps on her tiptoes to kiss me. I can taste the salt from her tears on her lips, and her eyes are still glistening with them.
