Page 121 of All Our Ghosts

“He just never seemed interested in settling down, marriage, kids, all of that.” She shrugs as if the last thing she said isn’t a straight arrow through my heart.

“I don’t know what to say to that,” I say softly. The doubts I shooed away at every sharp turn the two of us encountered slowly start to creep back in.

“You don’t have to say anything,” Marlowe says. “He’s different with you. He may not have been thinking of it then, but I can tell he is now. He told Cole he wants to clean up Becca’s house.”

“He did?” My brows furrow slightly.

“Cole asked if I could help him. He wants to make a life for himself, and that’s more than I’ve seen from him in a long time.”

Once again my hands fall to my belly, holding it as I absentmindedly run my right index finger over my left ring finger. He wants to be better, he wants a life for the two of us, and he’s willing to face one of the hardest things he’s had to go through head-on for me. A smile forms on my face as the doubts crawl back into their dark corners.

“What are you two doing in here?” Dex steps into the kitchen heading straight for the pot of stewing liquid. He leans over the stove, closing his eyes as he takes in the smell. For the first time in a long time I see a smile form on his face. “You cook this?” He glances over at me as I nod.

“Figured y’all would like to eat something other than the same burgers and fries you’ve had for the past week.” A sly grin forms over my face as he picks up a new spoon and takes a bite. He groans the second he tastes it and drops his head.

“Fuck that’s good.” He chuckles. “Thanks, Kade.”

“It’s about done if you want to gather the guys,” I say, moving to grab a stack of bowls from the cupboard.

“I’ll do it, Dexter.” Marlowe smiles. “They tend to listen to me when the feeding bell has rung more than they do the guys.”

“That’s cause they know if they don’t come now, they won’t eat,” Dex chuckles, pecking her cheek as she moves past to leave. Marlowe flashes a smile at us before she leaves. Dex turns back to me, folding his arms across his chest. “How are you doing?”

“Are we going to ignore the fact that she just called you Dexter?” I grin.

Wolfe shoots me a look that could kill but immediately softens. “Yes, we are.” He nudges me gently. “Seriously, how are you?”

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Honestly? I’m okay, terrified because I haven’t heard from Holden or Cole yet, but I have to trust they’re okay.”

“They are.” He nods. “Cole sent word this morning the drop was successful.”

I can’t help but feel relieved. “So they’re on their way back?”

“They’ll be here tomorrow morning.” He grins. “Why? Missing him already?”

“Am I that transparent?” I laugh.

“No,” he says quietly, a soft smile on his face. “Just in love.”

I’m taken by surprise at his words. We haven’t really spoken all that much after my fall, just pleasant hellos, and I feel like Dex has pulled away from the relationship we were building especially after Holden saw us together in the club.

“Are we okay?” I ask nudging him with my elbow.

Dex glances at me again and after a moment he smiles. “Yeah. We’re good.”

“You’d tell me if we weren’t?” I raise a brow at him.

“You bet.” He nods, taking a deep breath. “Need any help with this?” Dex jerks his head towards the bowls and the chili.

I grab the stack of bowls and a handful of spoons. “Grab the pot if you don’t mind?” I say, not quite believing him that we’re fine, but deciding to leave it be when he nods and grabs it from the stove with pot holders. We make our way into the main room of the clubhouse, setting up a little area for everyone to gather around and grab food.

Wyatt storms through the swinging door of the clubhouse, Blake on his heels. “We have an issue,” he says out of breath, pointing at the CCTV above the bar.

“What is it?” I ask, glancing towards the monitors.

“Stokes and Watson,” Blake says, moving to my side.

“Shit,” Dex curses as we watch a group of deputies in tactical gear storm past the gates, shoving members to the ground as Stokes makes his way to the door to the clubhouse with three officers on his flank, Watson following closely behind.

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