Page 81 of Broken Skulls

I blink away tears. “I’m glad.”

Jacob leans against the doorway quietly. He watches us a few minutes before speaking.

“Breakfast is ready,” he finally says.

“Come on.” I grab her hand and pull her to her feet. “Jacob makes the best eggs.”

He steps aside, letting us slide past him.

“Have a seat, ladies,” he tells us, waving his hand out to the table.

Lexie glances around the kitchen as Jacob plates our food.

“I … I didn’t know you lived here. At the junkyard, I mean.”

Jacob takes the chair between us. “That’s kind of what I was going for.” He laughs.

She blushes, embarrassed she might have said the wrong thing. “I didn’t mean …”

He stops her. “I know what you meant, sweetheart. No worries. I’m not offended. This is my sanctuary.”

“Well, it’s nice. Cozy,” she says, picking up her fork.

Jacob looks at me sadly before turning his attention back to her. “You’re welcome here anytime. Day or night.”

Lexie drags her fork through her food, stirring it around. “I heard Jackson tell you he’ll meet us at the warehouse later today.”

He nods, his mouth full of food.

“Um, well, um, I don’t want to go there.”

“Why not?”

She curls in on herself, sitting back in her chair. “That little girl. You know the one whose mom picks her up from school on the bike?”

“Charlotte?” Jacob asks.

She nods, and tears begin to pool in her eyes. “Yeah. Um …” She pauses, tucking her wet hair behind her ear. “I was mean to her.”

Jacob’s face softens. “It takes a lot to not only recognize that but to admit it.”

“If it’s okay, I’ll just stay here.”

He shakes his head, taking a drink of his orange juice. “Sorry, sweetie. No can do. You’re tagging along.”

“But …” she starts to argue.

He taps her plate with his fork. “Get eating, and then I’ll let you sleep for a bit. But afterward we’re heading over there.”

The panic on her face makes me uncomfortable. She really doesn’t want to go. I’m about to open my mouth when Jacob shoots me a look that makes me snap my lips closed.

He turns back to her. “You’re going to be around the club a lot. Jackson is done messing around. You’ve been putting yourself in bad situations, and we’re not going to allow that anymore.”

Her anxiety rises, and her gaze shifts to the door.

His hand reaches for her as she begins to stand. It wraps around her wrist, holding her where she’s at. “Listen to me. I know Charlotte’s parents are scary motherfuckers, but believe it or not, I bet if you let them see the real you, they’d be the first people in your corner.”

“I was horrible to Charlotte.” She begins to cry.

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