Page 66 of Out to Find Freedom

“I will.”

As soon as they left, I sat at the counter with my dinner in front of me, texting back and forth with Ryan. It was strange since it had been so long, and I wondered why the change in him, but it was also exciting. I hadn’t felt giddy like that since the night he sang that song for me.

I would never admit to Mattie that I was worried myself how all this would turn out.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Warden

Walking into the compound common room, I found the place busy with brothers and some of their women. I went straight to the bar, hoping a drink would get my mind off texting Emmie. We’d been going back and forth for nearly a month, and doing so made it more dangerous because I was growing to care for the woman even more. With each conversation I had, I learned more and more. What I found out, I liked.

She was smart, funny, sweet, teasing, and just damn charming in all aspects. She knew what she wanted, and after being dealt shit, she still strived for it because she wanted to make her own way in the world.

Not many could do that after what she’d been through. It just proved how bloody strong she was.

Hell, she was right across the road. I could go over there and see her. Like she’d asked me to on a couple of occasions, like that night, but I’d said I couldn’t. That I was busy. The real reason was that I knew my resolve would crash and burn. I’d confess I had feelings for her, and I couldn’t do that to her. She deserved someone her own age.

She did.

Even though I’d probably kill the guy if he tried to take her out.

Blue stood behind the bar. He saw me approach and grabbed out a beer, holding it up to me. I nodded, and as soon as I got close, I took it, taking a big gulp.

“Rough night?” Blue asked.

“Somethin’ like that.” I sat on a stool next to Stoke.

He glanced at me after finishing a conversation with Killer and gave me a chin lift. “How’s things, Warden?”

“Could be better,” I replied. “What’s been happenin’ around here?”Please tell me anything to keep my mind busy.

“Same old. Which is good.”

Yeah, it was good for them, having nothing crazy happening, but I could really do with a distraction. Even work had slowed. The only case I was on at the moment was that of a cheating wife.

“Ryan!” was cried. Next, someone crashed into my back and arms circled my neck. “Ryan, Ryan, Ryan. It’s good to see you,” Mally muttered into my shoulder.

“Jesus,” Stoke mumbled. “Woman, get your toasted arse here.”

Chuckling, I patted Mally’s arm. She let go enough to come to my side. I slid an arm around her waist. “How you doin’, darlin’?”

Her smile nearly took over her whole face. “Great. Amazing. I’m so in love with that man right there.” She pointed to Stoke. He tried to look annoyed, probably over her being at my side, but he was failing. His lips twitched.

“That’s good to know.”

She nodded. “It is. He’s the bestest of the best.”

“You don’t say.”

“I do,” she exclaimed and shook me a little with her arm around my shoulders. Damn, she was a cute drunk. At least I knew she’d be getting home safe. Her man would make sure of it, and it seemed he was nursing some juice drink.

Out the corner of my eye, I caught someone entering the common room. My body locked when I noticed it was Emmie. She nodded and smiled shyly at some of the brothers, then headed over to the couch area. That was when I saw Mattie sitting there talking with Talon.

Mattie looked up at her with a grin. Talon said something, which she replied to. Mattie stood and stopped next to her.

“Ryan,” Mally whined, both her arms wrapped around me again. She hugged me close. “My man won’t dance with me. You will, right? Please, Ryan. Please.”

“Love, I think it’s time we head out,” Stoke said.

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