Page 85 of Fate's Unseen Shadow

Xavier laid his hand on Damon’s shoulder. “You have that wrong. It’s Walker that set you off. We all hate the shit he does down at his bar, and simply the idea that he’d even approachElla with that filth is what destroyed your control. But he’s right, brother. We can’t risk you getting arrested because you lose control. You know how to kill a man without a gun or knife. No jury or judge will let you off and call it an accident with your résumé. This will be strike two. Remember that.”

“I know.”

“Can’t marry Ella from behind bars.”

He turned and snapped, “I know!” Ella extracted herself from Ryker and headed across the bar toward Damon.

“You good to see her?” Xavier asked Damon.

“Yeah,” he murmured, his gaze locked on her. “I will be.”

Ella didn’t hesitate. She wrapped her arms around his neck and rose on her toes, pressing the length of her body against his. “Are your hands hurt?”

“Yes.” He held her by the hips before guiding them boldly over the curve of her ass and hauling her tighter against him. “But they’re better now. What did Walker say to you?”

Ella shook her head. “I told Ryker. He can tell you later. But until Walker is good and gone, Ryker said you don’t need to know.”

“Ryker is wrong. I’m tired of the guys keeping things from me.”

“What else did they keep from you?”

He looked over her head, back at Ryker and Slater. Xavier had moved behind the bar to help Lacy. “Ryker found Davies. He was in Charleston yesterday morning but seems to have moved on.”

“What does that mean for me?” She smiled sadly. “Is playtime at Cager over?”

He rubbed up and down her arm. “For now. I need to get you somewhere safe.”

“Where?” She laid her cheek on his chest.

Damon kissed the top of her head. “I don’t know yet.” But as far away from Davies as possible.

24

Slater escorted Damon to his car, giving him nonstop instructions. “Ryker’s still tracking him. I left a message for Detective Moore to meet with me in the morning. Once Ella’s gone, I can lay it out for Jeff and show him the evidence to see how we should proceed. Don’t go more than a state away.”

“And you trust Jeff to do the right thing? He won’t be an asshole about us harboring Ella for the past three weeks?” Damon opened the driver’s side door, pulling Ella forward by the hand he held. He kissed the back of it. “Can you drive so I can research where we’ll stay tonight?”

“Yes.” She sat down, latching her seatbelt immediately. She was nervous. He’d felt her hand shaking in his. But she was tough.

Damon shut the door. “Do you think he’ll help?”

Slater shrugged and set his hands on his hips. “I don’t see why he wouldn’t. He can find the FBI contact and hand over what we have. He’s taken what Ryker’s found before.” He popped Damon on the shoulder. “Look at Jacksonville or Birmingham? You could find a cabin somewhere to hole up in for a while in the mountains of North Carolina. Not the worstway to spend a week or two. Maybe find time to tell her that you love her. Xavier told us, although it didn’t come a shock. We’re happy for you. You know I love going to weddings, so make sure it’s epic.”

“Let’s get through this before you send wedding gifts.” It was hard to consider their flight a romantic getaway when his best friends were putting themselves in danger for his Ella.

Slater looked at his watch. “It’s seven-thirty. I wouldn’t wait much longer. The last thing we need is for Walker to have you arrested for battery. I suspect he’ll be back with the police. You can’t help Ella from jail.”

“No, I can’t.” He held out his hand, shaking Slater’s. “Thank you. You know I’d rather be the one to finish this thing for her.”

“And you’re smart enough to know what’s best for her.”

He did. Which is why he didn’t want to waste any more time. He climbed in, and she started the car. “We’re going to be quick at the apartment. Five minutes and under. Grab what you absolutely can’t live without for the next two weeks.”

She put it in reverse. “Do I need to go fast?”

“No. We’re still trying to keep a low profile.”

She sighed and pulled out of the parking lot. “Can I drive your car really fast someday?”

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