Page 89 of Preacher

“Glad we could help.”

“I know it means a great deal to Mother as well.”

“And she means a great deal to me, so it all evens out.” I gave him a nod and continued out of the office as I said, “We’ll see you in the morning.”

Grim, Memphis and Seven followed me outside, and once we were out to their bikes, Seven asked, “What are they gonna do about Rooks?”

“Not my call to make.” I could tell he didn’t like my answer, so I added, “Things have a way of sorting themselves out. You’ll see.”

“Yeah, I’m not holding my breath.”

“You heading back?” Memphis asked. “Or are you staying?”

“Staying. I’ll get one of the prospects to bring me over a change of clothes or something later.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Memphis offered. “Anything else?”

“Not yet, but we’re gonna need the club to be ready in case things go south. I’ll be there first thing in the morning for church. Pass the word.”

“You got it.” Memphis kicked his leg over the seat of his Harley. “Give Tabitha our best.”

“Will do.”

I waited until they had both gone down the driveway and out the gate before I started for the barn. I was ready to see her. I hadn’t even had a chance to call or text her all day, and I was eager to see if she was okay.

It was getting dark, but the lights in the stables were still on. I knew she would be there, and just as I expected, I spotted her in the first stall.

She was brushing one of the horses and singing softly under her breath. Her sleeves were rolled up, and her hair was pulled back in one of those messy buns. Damn. The woman couldn’t have looked more beautiful.

She didn’t see me at first. She was too lost in her thoughts, and even with Sergei’s guards stationed at every damn corner, I still felt the need to get to her and make sure she was okay.

I didn’t say her name. I just stepped into the barn, and it was as if she felt my presence and whipped around. Her eyes were wide like she hadn’t expected anyone, but relief washed over her the second she saw it was me.

She stood frozen as she asked, “Well?”

“You were right.” I opened the stall door and stepped inside. “Vasili was dirty.”

“Really?”

“Oh yeah.” I continued over to her as I explained, “We got the proof, too. There’s no talking around it. Vasili is done.”

She stared at me for a beat, like her mind was trying to catch up with what her heart already knew. Then she let out a breath, and in a blink, she was in my arms.

No hesitation.

No questions.

She just wrapped her arms around my neck and held onto me as tight as she could. After a few seconds, she looked up at me and pressed her lips to mine, kissing me with everything she had. And hell, I kissed her back, long and hard.

I didn’t give a shit that we were in a dusty barn or that her hands smelled like horse and feed. It didn’t matter.

Nothing did.

Not the Bratva. Not Vasili.

Not the years she’d spent surviving instead of living.

She would have her happy ending, even if it meant sacrificing my own to make sure she got it.

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