Page 44 of May 11

A low, resonating rumble filled her chest. She spun around, her gaze fixed on the door as the sound amplified.

"Cora." Brooke stood and motioned her to the table. "The men are back."

Adrenaline, mixed with fear, moved her to the others and then toward the door. As men burst through the door, she stood on her tiptoes and searched for Wire. The day's happenings threatened to take her to her knees. All she wanted was Wire and for him to be okay.

Then, he was there, striding toward her. She reached out, unsteady, and grabbed Brooke's arm.

"He's okay." Brooke squeezed her hand. "Go to him."

Somehow, she moved across the floor without falling. Each step grew stronger the closer she got to him.

He caught her as her legs gave up. She hugged his middle, pressing herself against him.

She stopped the sob of relief from escaping and pressed her cheek against his chest.

He cupped her head, holding her close, letting her take that reassurance that he was okay. That he'd returned to her unharmed.

"Babe." He tilted her face and kissed her deeply. "Let's go to the van. I need to crash."

The details of what went on when he was riding with the club would come later. She kept her arm around Wire and walked with him through the door. It was time to take care of him.

Chapter Nineteen

CORA PLAYED WITH WIRE'S fingers. Laying on his back in the make-shift bed in the van, he constantly went through all the information he had on Los Li, trying to figure out what he was missing.

Last night, they'd investigated a half dozen cars they believed could belong to Los Li, but nothing had panned out.

The Mexican Mafia had to have driven out of town immediately following the drive-by shooting. The police never came by—making Havlin assume Los Li had someone in the department keeping their activities hush-hush.

The shooting happened a few minutes after four o'clock. They had to have silencers because Daisy hadn't even heard the noise from the pool.

The alarm on Cora's phone had gone off fifteen minutes ago. It was time for her to get up and get ready for work.

He rolled onto his side and grabbed Cora's hip, holding her against his body. He was delaying his job.

"I'll need to ride out today, but Maverick will stay at Whale's Tail." He kissed her, wishing he could stay in bed with her and keep her safe.

"How long will this go on?" She stretched and wiggled closer.

He kissed her again and sat up. "It'll go until we catch those responsible."

She pressed her lips together. He stood from the bed, glad she no longer asked what would happen once Havlin caught Los Li. It was something he couldn't answer.

It was also something she would disapprove of.

An eye for an eye.

Stroking her cheek, he swore he'd never let harm touch her. He hoped her silence meant she was learning to keep her questions to herself and trust him. Trust Havlin.

A knock made Cora jump. He kissed her again and stepped over to the door.

"Wire, you're naked," whispered Cora.

"Babe." He looked over his shoulder. "The only people who will knock on your door are Havlin members, and they have the same equipment as I do."

He opened the door to Jagger. Knowing Cora was naked under the blanket, he stayed in the doorway, blocking the view inside.

"Mornin'." He grabbed his jeans and stepped into them, pulling them up his bare hips.

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