Laughing loudly, I waggle a finger at her.“I like you.You’ve got spunk.”
It’s the kind of thing I don’t say lightly.There’s something about her resilience, the way she’s not afraid to challenge me even when she’s clearly nervous.It’s refreshing.
As we drive through town, I notice there are very few people out and about.The streets are quiet, save for the occasional car.When I pull up in front of Betty’s Diner, I spot Jasper sitting on the front steps, looking as though he’s been there for a while.
Tessa’s eyes are glued to him, and I watch as she stiffens, a look of concern crossing her face.
“We said you were safe,” I say, keeping my voice neutral, but there’s an edge of warning in it.“If you mention us to him, he might not be.”Glancing over at Jasper, I offer a nod and a smile.“You think about that before you go and divulge any of our secrets.”
“He’s always here early, and I’m late opening.What do I tell him?”
“Tell him it’s none of his business and you’re here now, so what would he like to order?”
Tessa doesn’t say anything right away, but I can tell she’s processing my words.She opens the truck door, and before she fully steps out, she almost stumbles, her foot catching on the edge of the step.Tessa catches herself just in time and doesn’t look back.
Jasper rises from the steps, his movements stiff as he moves toward her.His eyes flick from me to her, and I can see the calculation in his gaze.
Winding down my window, I give him a casual wave.“You all have a good day now!”I call out with a grin, keeping the tone light.
Jasper smiles, but there’s a flicker of something in his eyes before his expression shifts to a frown.His gaze sharpens, and I know he’s watching Tessa, calculating whether she’ll say something to him.
Tessa keeps walking toward the diner’s door, her head held high despite the tension.
“Give me a minute.I just need to turn everything on and then you can come in.”
She opens the door, closes it, and locks it behind her.Her eyes meet mine through the window.
Raising my hand again, I give her a casual wave, trying to ease the weight of the moment.She holds my gaze for a moment, then turns and walks farther into the diner.
As I pull away, heading back toward the compound, I see Vex high up in one of the trees.He gives me a two-fingered wave and disappears into the foliage.The road stretches ahead, the familiar view of the mountains in the distance.There’s something about Tessa that sticks with me, the way she’s not afraid to stand her ground, even in the face of the unknown.And that’s dangerous, especially with someone like Jasper.I know Blade’s hoping she keeps her mouth shut about us and what went down.If she doesn’t, well, it’s a shame, but they’d have no choice but to get rid of her.
Both of them.
It’s not that I want it to come to that.Vex cares about Tessa.And the last thing I want is to see him torn up over it.But Jasper, that old bastard?He doesn’t care who he pisses off, and it’s only a matter of time before his grudges bring too much heat on the Kings.
I let out a breath, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter.The MC’s future depends on decisions like these.If Tessa can’t keep quiet, Blade’s not going to hesitate.Neither will the rest of us.And that’s a cost I’m not sure we’re ready to pay.
As the asphalt gives way to the dirt road, I think about leaving here.Something in my gut twists, which means this is the place I’m supposed to be, but I can’t abandon my brothers.There’s still so much work to do before I can leave them.But the powers that be might revoke my life on this earth if I disobey them and stick with the MC.Sighing, I change the radio station to a hard rock channel and turn up the volume.Slipknot’s “Duality” blares out of the speakers, and as I sing along, my gut eases.
Maybe things will work out.You have to have faith, right?
My phone rings, jerking me out of my thoughts.The screen flashes Blade’s name, and I swipe to answer.
“Hey, Prez, everything okay?”I ask.
“Can you go get Hannah from my place and take her home?”Blade’s voice comes through low and steady.
I glance at the road, pull over to the side, and do a quick U-turn.“Sure can.”
“Thanks, man.I owe you one.Can you tell her I’ve got business to take care of, and I’ll see her later today?”
“Yep, not a problem.”I tuck my phone between my shoulder and ear, the words feeling natural.I don’t mind doing this for Blade.Not one bit.We are, after all, brothers by choice.
The engine hums beneath me as I drive down the road that leads to Blade’s place.I’m looking forward to spending some time alone with Hannah.Although my visions are rarely wrong, there’s a part of me that wonders if I’m reading this right.The more I think about it, the more I want to find out what it is about Hannah that makes her different from the rest Blade has been with.
