Page 30 of Cheshire

I reached up to cup his cheek. “You’re rather amazing, you know that?”

He lay beside me, and I cuddled against him, no longer feeling embarrassed over my nakedness. We stayed like that for hours until I dozed off, only to wake a while later with the sun rising.

“Eliza,” he murmured, his voice low and drowsy.

“Hmm?”

“What happens now?”

I lifted my head to look at him. His blue eyes were serious as they met mine. It was a good question. What happened now? I didn’t have all the answers, but I knew one thing for certain.

“We figure it out,” I told him. “Together. I know I want more time with you, more of what we shared last night.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do.” He kissed me and got out of bed. “Rest as long as you want to. I need to check in with everyone.”

I watched him dress and leave, still feeling warm and content. His words played through my mind on repeat, his sincerity unmistakable.

Finally, I stood up, dressing and running my fingers through my hair. I opened the door, steeling myself for the chaos of the clubhouse. And right on cue, a hail of curses and the clatter of pool balls greeted my ears. But my attention was drawn to the bar, where March and Hatter were engaged in an intense staring contest over their cards. Rabbit sat nearby watching them.

Jo entered the room and joined me. “So, spill,” she said, resting her chin on her hands. “What happened with you and Cheshire?”

My cheeks warmed and she gave me a knowing smile. I didn’t have to say anything. She clearly already knew what happened. “I think I like him. I mean, really like him,” I said.

“Yeah, I bet you do. Sometimes when the right person comes along, you just know.” Jo pressed her shoulder against mine. “Just like I knew with Hatter.”

Chapter Eleven

Cheshire

I was starting to second-guess my invitation to Park. The moment Eliza had walked into the room, he’d stared at her like some lovesick fool. All the warning bells that had gone off in my head when he talked about her before made perfect sense now. He might not have met her many times, but clearly, she’d made an impression, and the fucker was infatuated with her. I didn’t like it. Not even a little.

“I was happy to hear you were safe, Eliza. I wish I’d known you needed help,” Park said, holding her gaze.

She gave him a slight smile, and it made my gut twist. “Thank you, but you and I both know there’s nothing you could have done. If my dad thought you weren’t on his side, something bad could have happened to you.”

Park audibly swallowed. “Better to me than you. I’m so sorry, Eliza.”

She shook her head. “It’s fine, Park. I don’t blame you or anyone else, just my dad.”

I decided enough was enough and wanted to end their conversation. The sight of Park practically drooling over her was pissing me the fuck off. I leaned forward on the rough-hewn kitchen table, my hands clasped in front of me as I scanned the group. Hatter had Jo tucked tight against his side, but he met my gaze and gave me a nod. The floor was mine.

“All right, listen up,” I said, my voice a low rasp. “We made progress on this Sheriff Holmes shit. Dug up some intel that connected the dots between the missing girls, suspicious money moving around, and a couple of VIPs in his pocket -- Mayor Davis and Robert Lewis, as far as those in Warren go. But he has more outside of town.”

I paused, letting that sink in. Park, the deputy in our corner, leaned in. “How solid’s this info, Cheshire?”

A wry grin tugged at my lips. “Solid as my right hook, brother. Got the paper trail to prove it. These assholes were thick as thieves, all working to keep Holmes’ sick operation going and line their own pockets.”

As I laid it all out, my mind raced, slotting the pieces into place. The puzzle was starting to take shape, ugly as it was. These girls were snatched up and sold off like fucking cattle. My blood boiled at the thought. We had to shut this shit down and bury these bastards, whatever it took.

I glanced at Eliza, her face pale and her eyes haunted. She was holding it together, but barely. My heart twisted. Her own damn father had not only harmed her but had been selling girls. I wanted to reach out, take her hand, tell her it would be okay. But not here, not now.

“If we were going to hand him over to the authorities, then we’d need to keep digging. But I think we can all agree this one is going to get messy. Park is already aware we’re going to need to work outside the law, and he’s on board.”

Nods all around the table, jaws set and eyes flashing with purpose. Hatter met my gaze again, pride and trust shining in his eyes. I felt the weight of it settle on my shoulders, but I carried it gladly. For the club, for the girls, for justice.

Sheriff Holmes and his cronies wouldn’t know what hit them. No matter how dirty my hands were when this was over, at least I’d be able to live with myself. Letting people like them not only continue to live but reside in this town wasn’t something I could condone.

A folder lay open on the table. March had pulled some photos of missing girls, and he’d used camera feeds around town to show the sheriff and his men snatching them off the streets. Eliza reached for one.

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