Page 59 of Out to Find Freedom

I didn’t need to elaborate. He understood because he replied with “No. We’ve kept an eye on her. Burrows was the only one she communicated with besides her lawyer. He’s one of ours, even though he’s supposed to work for her. She won’t get out and she won’t contact anyone we don’t know about. We’ve got people on the inside to make sure we can watch her there as well.”

“You’re really safe now, my dove,” Julian said, giving my waist a squeeze.

I lifted my gaze to his. “I am,” I whispered, then smiled.

But would being safe give me the strength to go out in the world without a care?

Maybe in time, yes.

It always came down to time. At least now I knew I had more time on my hands than I thought I ever would. There would be no more thinking of dying.

I was free.

“Woman” was called.

Before I could see who it was, I caught Zara grumbling under her breath. Then, with a tight smile firm on her lips, she turned. Mattie’s arms dropped away.

“Here they go,” Ivy sang low.

My brows dipped in confusion until Zara planted her hands on her hips and glared at Talon. “Don’t you ‘woman’ me, Talon Marcus. You do not run out of here holding a gun, saying there’s a situation, and scare the heck out of me.”

He rolled his eyes. “Woman, there was a situation.”

“I know that, Talon, but every time you go out guns ablazing, do you think you could take a second to kiss me and tell me you love me? The last thing I said to you was that you were a jerk and weren’t getting any tonight. Do you think I want to remember that’s the last thing you’ll think about if something happens?”

His smirk was cocky. “Kitten, I had it in hand. You had nothin’ to worry about. Plus, I know you were talkin’ shit. I so am gettin’ some tonight and you know it.”

She threw her hands up in the air. “That’s beside the point.”

Were they really talking about sex in front of everyone? I glanced around. A lot of the group seemed amused by the scene, but I got the feeling this wasn’t out of the ordinary. No one was as shocked as I was with my wide eyes and gaping mouth.

He got close to her, slid an arm around her, and dragged her into him. When he whispered something in her ear, she nodded but smacked his chest. I heard him chuckle and then murmur something else. Then she kissed him.

Julian’s finger tapped my chin. I snapped my mouth closed and he laughed. “It’s all right. They argue all the time, but the chemistry they have together makes up for it.”

Not sure what to say, I nodded.

I wanted that.

Wanted what Zara had with Talon.

What Killer had with Ivy, and Julian with Mattie.

I wanted someone to care about and love with fierceness.

Of course I thought of Ryan, but I pushed his image away quickly before it could take hold and let my surprisingly good mood, considering everything that had happened, fade.

Ivy caught my gaze. “How about I show you the rooms? I’m sure you’re tired after everything. I know I would be. I mean”—she rolled her eyes—“I know I’m here late, but it was a night out with my man, and we like those nights late. Thank God I have people who work for me or else I’ll be dead on my feet tomorrow. And since Zara was here earlier, she decided to hang, especially when Nancy and Richard, her parents, offered to have the kids for the night.”

“Babe,” Killer said, though he did it smiling.

“Right.” She clapped. “Rooms. Let’s go.” We left Talon and Zara behind and made our way down another hall. I got a few looks from some of the men around. None of them made my skin crawl like Lenny’s used to. I felt reassured by it.

Trust.

It was time to show them I could trust, that I could be brave, even after what just happened.

We stopped at a door, which Ivy opened. “For Mattie and Julian.”

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