Page 47 of Out to Find Freedom

Violet searched my face, saw my resolve, sighed and nodded. “Okay. Get Lan to send a picture and whatever he has back from the school about the girl there. Butch and I’ll hit the office bright and early to help work on it.”

I grunted, flicked a wave to Butch and Travis, and then went back inside. Julian was on me as soon as I stepped inside, taking the clothes and heading up the stairs.

I caught Killer’s gaze. “Talon wants you to escort them to Julian’s house since we don’t know who that fourth guy is just yet.” He nodded once. I looked to Lan. “Vi’s askin’ for the photo of the guy that Emmie drew, and if you get anything from your source at the school to let her know. They’re gonna do their own diggin’.”

“All right.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Glad you called me in on this, Warden. They need to be behind bars.”

“They’d better suffer in there.” I didn’t like the choice of calling Lan in, but Violet had gone above me and done it.

“They will,” Killer clipped. “Hawks’ll make sure of it.”

At least there was that.

A creak from above had me glancing towards the stairs. Julian appeared. He was smiling behind him as he descended. My mouth dried at the first sight of Emmie. She was smiling softly down at Julian. Her eyes had life to them, her cheeks colour, her hair wet but clean.

She looked damn beautiful.

The clothes I’d given over had been a tee and jeans from Violet. The tee poked out the top of a hoodie she’d put on. My hoodie. It swam on her. Even the jeans looked a little big. Shit, I wanted to go into the kitchen and make her a meal.

Fuck it.

Turning, I stalked into the kitchen and took out some bread, sliced turkey, and cheese. I made a quick sandwich, then poured her a glass of cold water. I could hear Lan’s gentle voice talking with Emmie.

Picking up the plate and glass, I went back into the living room. First, I saw the back of Emmie’s head. She sat on the couch with Julian beside her. Killer at her back. Lan sat on the coffee table in front of her. He stopped talking when he saw me. His lips twitched for some reason and he pulled back when I got close.

I held out the plate and glass. “Food. Water. Eat. Drink.”

Killer snorted behind her. Emmie stared down at the items, up at me, and then down again. Julian chuckled, as did Lan. Thank fuck Emmie slowly held out her hand for the plate and took it. Julian grabbed the glass for her.

“Thank you,” she whispered. She put the plate on her lap and tucked her arm around it, like she thought someone would take it from her.

What she didn’t do was eat it.

I hovered over her, waiting.

After a moment, she glanced up. I met her gaze, then looked down to the plate and back up to her lips.

Bad mistake.

They were plumped and wet from her licking them.

Christ.

I backed up near the stairs, crossing my arms over my chest. I kept my gaze on Lan, who cleared his throat, covered his laugh with a cough, and started talking again.

Out the corner of my eye, I caught Emmie picking up half of her sandwich and taking a small bite, nodding at something Lan said.

Fuck. I scrubbed a hand over my face and ignored Julian’s bright smile aimed at me. I looked back to Lan, tuning in on what he said.

“—they won’t get offered bond. They’ll keep them in because of all the incriminating charges. Then with your pictures and everything you’ve written, we’ll be able to find the other guy.” He pointed to the man we didn’t know in Emmie’s book.

The colour drained from her cheeks. She dropped the sandwich to the plate and pressed both of her hands down on her stomach.

I wanted to punch Lan in the throat.

“He’s still out there—” Her mouth snapped closed and she thinned her lips.

Julian rubbed her back. “They’ll find him. You’ll be safe. You don’t have to worry. You know Lan’s a cop, Warden’s a private investigator”—her eyes flicked to me—“and Killer’s part of the Hawks MC.” She looked back at Killer, who nodded. “You’re well protected. You’ll come home with me”—when her eyes widened and looked to me again, I bit my tongue to stop from shouting that she was staying—“and Mattie and I live across the road from the Hawks MC compound.”

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