Page 28 of All Our Ghosts

“I don’t have to go…” She says softly after a moment, glancing at me. “These are your people Holden.. I don’t want to wedge between that and it's clear that you aren’t my biggest fan.”

I’m taken aback for a moment, it surprises me that she’s giving me the option. My brows furrow at her words. “Do what you want, Princess.” I shrug, “It’s not gonna hurt my feelings either way.” I lie.

Truth is I can’t stop thinking about her. It makes me angry that a woman I’ve barely known for a full week has driven herself so far into my head that I can’t even be in the same room with her without wondering how her skin feels. I’m treading in dangerous waters and I know it, especially now after my call to Fisher. He hasn’t gotten back to me on her information, which makes me cautious of her and intrigued by her. What is she hiding that’s so damn bad not even Fisher can find the info easily?

Kadence scoffs, shaking her head as an empty chuckle leaves her lips.

“Alright, Holden,” she mutters, sitting back down in the desk chair, the cold demeanor that she only shows to me slowly icing her over again.

My stomach drops, watching the slight progress I made thinking that she might not fully hate me, completely escape the room.

I turn, heading towards the door before glancing back at her. “Just… don’t work too late. This paper pile will still be here tomorrow mornin’.” My voice trails off as she looks back at me, her eyes narrowed. I sigh, shaking my head before turning to leave. It’s no use now trying to get on her good side again. I ruined that the minute I opened my mouth with Cole in earshot.

Guilt trickles through me like a tormented waterfall as I make my way over to my bike. I see Cole on the phone, his brows furrowed and shaking his head. I’m not quite close enough tohear the conversation, but when I reach earshot, Cole glances at me before hanging up.

“What was that about?” I ask, pulling the pack of cigarettes from my vest.

Cole lets out a sigh. “Stokes wants to meet. Says he wants a bigger cut from the club.”

I snort. “‘Course he does.”

“Says that Wolfe got into some trouble on their run and in order for us not to be ‘pulled into an investigation’, he wants a bigger cut.” Cole takes the pack from me, pulling one out and lighting it before handing the pack back. I watch with a raised brow. Cole only smokes when he’s stressed, otherwise it's all greek yogurt and that birdseed he calls granola.

“Fuck,” I sigh. “Well, if it’s Wolfe, it's probably warranted–bad–but warranted.”

Cole chuckles, taking a long drag. “Far as I can tell, no one is dead. It can’t be that bad.”

“I’ve seen that guy do unspeakable shit without killin’ someone. Trust me, it's bad.” I light my own, pulling the smoke into my lungs and relishing the burn.

The first few drags off a freshly lit cigarette are my favorite. Something about the feeling hitting my lungs for the first time in a while and the way it smells when I first light it. That's the addicting part to me. I remember the first cigarette I had after Mosul. I will never forget how good it felt to have something other than artillery smoke fill my lungs.

“Fuckin’ hope not.” Cole pats my arm. “You and Kadence seem to be getting along this afternoon.” A slight grin spreads across his face as we watch her head up the steps to the apartment. “Don’t think I didn’t notice the staring contest.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “What are you implying?”

“Nothing.” Cole takes one last drag before stubbing his cigarette out onto the concrete. “For someone who says theydon’t trust her and has a piss poor attitude about new people, you sure were quick to help her. Even last night…”

“Don’t.” I warn with a look.

“What? All I’m saying is you threw a prospect out of the club for her.” His hands find his hips as he shrugs.

“He deserved it. Kadence isn’t the first girl Quinn pushed too far. It was time for him to go.”

I see a flicker of anger in his eyes. It’s no secret Quinn had made his way through the girls at Moon. None of them were ever brave enough to stand against the club and he kept his… indecensies behind closed doors. But we all knew the rumors, and catching him with Kadence last night was just an excuse for a long-overdue punishment. It had nothing to do with the burning rage in my chest seeing her with someone else.

“You did the club a favor…but Kadence…” He starts. I know what he’s asking and I don’t like it.

“That office turns into a sauna if it’s remotely hot.” I shrug, “I'm just saving you from a workers comp claim.” I wink, pulling from my cigarette.

Cole cackles, shaking his head. “Whatever you say, Holden.”

I grin at my friend. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to see Cole laugh, really laugh at something I’ve said. The sound is a nice change compared to the scolding Cole has been doing recently. When we were kids, I could make him so mad that his entire face would turn bright red like the tomatoes from Marlowe’s garden. Cole has a temper that he’s tried hard to hide for years. But when I see that familiar shade of red begin to fall over his features, I start cracking jokes. Just something stupid enough to make him smile and that red fades away.

“You’re coming!?” Cole suddenly yells, a wide smile spread across his features.

I follow his gaze, seeing Kadence walking towards us. She’s traded in the shorts for a pair of jeans that look like they’ve beenpainted onto her and her tank top is now covered by a lived-in black denim jacket with random patches that I can’t quite make out in the twilight. I watch as her bottom lip finds home between her teeth again, something I’ve noticed she does whenever she’s anxious.

“Figured it was probably a hell of a lot more fun than a pile of papers,” she remarks, throwing a quick pointed look at me and, in a split second, the fire in my belly is replaced with annoyance.Two can play at this game,I think, realizing that she’s only going to piss me off.

---