“Sorry,” I said.
She sat in the chair next to me. “What can I do?”
“I don’t know. Nothing makes sense. She wouldn’t leave, not without talking to me.” Shit was good between us.
“Don’t get mad. I’m just throwing this out there, but did you do something?”
“Say less, Bristol.”
“No, I’m going to say a lot more if you fucked this up. You could have a good thing with her, something real, and you’ll fuck it up if you treat her like a Heller whore.”
I growled and took a long drag off my cigarette. “Have you talked to Scarlett?”
“You don’t get to change the subject.” She leaned into me. “And yes, I’ve talked to Scarlett. She’s taking time with Skye, trying to keep her from spiraling. They’re both angry. Scarlett is going to be protective of her sister, and—”
“And what?”
“They think you’re shitting on us by getting with Stormy. I told them they didn’t have ownership of you or your dick. Bullet, I love you, and I love that girl. You make a good fit with her.”
Steele came through the door. His gaze darted around the room until he found me.
“You should go with Steele and find her,” Bristol said. “At least drive by all the places she could be.”
I stood. I didn’t know where to start, but I couldn’t sit around here.
The door burst open, and Levi rushed into the chapel. Stormy stumbled in after her. They both laughed as Levi waddled through the room. Stormy smiled at me.
“I need to pee,” Levi hollered.
“I’m sorry,” Stormy said, holding her sides as she laughed.
Two equally strong and opposing forces clashed within me. Where the fuck had she been, and nothing felt as good as seeing her smiling and laughing. Jesus. Fuck. Relief knifed through the deep, dark cavern where my heart should have been beating, splintering cracks in my emotional fucking armor.
I moved on instinct, storming across the room and picking her up. As soon as my hands were on her, a knot loosened around my chest. I could fucking breathe again.
“What are you doing?” she screeched as I draped her over my shoulder and headed out of the room.
“Someone is in trouble,” Bristol singsonged.
“Jesus Christ.” Steele dropped into the chair next to Bristol.
“I’m sorry.” Stormy bounced against my back, still laughing and wiggling.
I tightened my hold on her thighs. “Stop squirming.” My hand warmed with the thought of taking her over my knee and reddening her buttocks.She rubbed her palms over my ass. “Keep it up, and I’ll fuck the fun out of you.”
She tried to twist around. “Is that supposed to scare me?”
“Like you just scared me.” I entered our room, slammed the door, and dropped her on the bed. “Jesus Christ, Stormy, what were you thinking?”
She scrambled onto her knees, scooted to the edge of the bed, linked her finger through the loops on my belt, and tipped her face up. “I knew I wasn’t supposed to leave, but Levi asked me to take her to the doctor. Romeo’s mom has cancer, Dozer’s dad is in prison, and Pippa was running late. I want to be Levi’s friend. I couldn’t say no.”
I rested a hand on her shoulder, then slid my palm around her neck. Her pulse fluttered beneath my fingers. “I understand, but it’s not safe.”
She gripped the waistband of my jeans. “I was safe. Levi carries a gun. I figured I couldn’t get in much trouble with a pregnant girl.” She smiled. “But then Pippa was there. And those two were hungry. I didn’t want to freak them out and tell them about Emerson, but I did. Not everything, but that I have an asshole ex. I think they sort of hoped he’d show up. Did you know Jazzy is packing and Hana carries a knife?”
“Fuck me.” I dropped down onto the bed next to her, and she leaned over me.
“Okay.” She smiled. “Especially if it’ll keep you from being upset with me.” She wagged her brows. “But not now. I need to make sure Levi is okay. I haven’t driven in a long time, and I was a bit out of practice.”