Page 151 of Forgiving Fate

I am just about to walk away when she stops me. “Hey. Leo invited all of us to have a girls’ night, plus Harrison at the bar, after we are done here, since everyone is going to be out.”

I nod and because I can’t resist, kiss her one more time, “Sounds good, sweetheart. Just be careful and text me when you go over.”

“Always. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

We all say our goodbyes and head out to Gray’s truck. And as we make our way to the mission, I hope for everything to go smoothly so I can get back to my girl.

Chapter Fifty-Five

Allie

“Allie! Let me seeyour new ink!” Leo calls as we all walk into The Handle.

I make my way to the bar to show Leo my newest edition as everyone settles into one of the high top tables.

“Damn girl. That is beautiful. I’m jealous that you can get ink. I can’t wait to be out of school so I can have extra funds to add to my leg piece.”

“Soon right?” I ask, as Leo makes drinks for Lainey, Lo, Harper, Harrison, and I. I am just about to stop him when Lo walks up next to me. “Hey Leo. I am nursing the end of a nasty migraine. Can I just have a Dr. Pepper please?”

“Water for me, please. I just sat through a six-hour tattoo and feel like I need to jump in a pool of water to rehydrate myself.”

“Of course. If you want anything stronger, let me know. Al, I set out some cards on the high top in case karaoke wasn’t on the docket tonight.”

“It’s not. I’m fucking exhausted,” Harper says, leaning against the bar. “I will take whatever you want to make me, but make it a double. It was a rough night.”

Leo nods and takes out a large margarita glass and dips it in salt as I turn my attention to Harper. “Are you okay?”

Harper sighs and mouths thank you to Leo as he slides her a margarita before moving to Lainey and Harrison on the other side of Logan. “Yeah. Awful car accident with multiple fatalities. I pumped chests for hours and we were only able to move one up to ICU. It was just…you know how it can be.”

Logan and I both nod. “Yeah, but I’m sorry. You should have just met us here and not The Needle. If anyone would have understood, it’s Lo, Leo, and I.”

Harper shakes her head as she takes a sip of her drink. “It’s okay. I needed the distraction.”

Harrison and Lainey move to stand next to us and we all hold our glasses up, even Leo, as Harrison says, “To a night full of distraction!”

“Cheers!” we all exclaim.

Harrison spins around and yells to the empty bar, “What do you say, Cliff Haven? Who wants to get shitfaced and forget this shitty ass town filled with shitty ass people! WOOOHOO!”

Harper, Lainey, Leo, Logan, and I all look at each other, then to Harrison, completely confused.

Lainey shrugs, “I guess he is also having a bad day?”

“Sounds like it.” I say, watching him for a moment before turning my attention back to Harper.

I’m washing my hands in the bathroom when a text comes from Landon.

Landon: Mission went well. See you in fifteen. Are you still at the Handle?

Allie: Yep. See you soon.

I hit send as I walk out of the bathroom and back into the main bar. But as soon as my eyes lock on the scene in front of me, I freeze.

Harrison is standing in the middle of the bar with a gun pointed at Lainey’s head. Harper and Leo are sitting at a table, staring at him with fear in their eyes.

Harper’s eyes lock with mine and she shakes her head subtly, but Harrison notices and turns his head toward me.

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