Page 69 of Mustang Summer

Aaron, Travis, and Cash filed in.Josie wanted to bolt.Instead, she scooted closer to Brock.

Cash gripped either side of the benches and leaned in to breathe, “Are you sure about this, Brock?”

Josie met the man’s intense blue eyes.Cash’s expression was one of genuine concern mixed with irritation.

Would Brock know how to answer?Josie spoke before he could.“I asked him to sit next to me.It doesn’t change his support for his family.”

Cash cocked an arrogant brow at her and turned his attention back to Brock.A clear message that his cousin was his main concern.She half admired his protectiveness, but she still wanted to tell him to back off.

“I’m sure about Josie.”Brock answered.

Travis touched Cash on the arm and gestured to where the rest were sitting.Cash’s gaze danced back and forth between the two of them.He shook his head and went to sit.

As personal as Josie wanted to take Cash’s reaction, she knew he truly cared about Brock.But after Gage, Josie couldn’t abide another alpha male.Brock’s quiet strength and confidence attracted her like no other quality—unless she counted his body, which was exceptional.

Despite her affection for him, she was driving home the next morning.She’d meet with Jesse and let the Walkers have their celebration.She wasn’t going to dwell on the situation.They could handle the outcome their way, but she didn’t have to witness the jubilance.

Plus, she had to find out what Gage and Bill were up to.

Jesse was led in and Josie numbly listened to everything going on.The judge outlined the charges and the sentences that went with them before he related his decision.

The gavel struck and Jesse was sentenced to five years with four suspended for good behavior.He didn’t get credit for time served, but if things went smoothly for him, he’d get out in a year and she’d hang onto that.

Tears burned the back of her eyes, but she refused to cry in front of the Walkers.Jesse stood and gave her the most apologetic expression she’d ever seen.Tears brimmed and she rapidly blinked them back.He gave Dillon an assessing gaze and when he looked at Elle, his gaze was close to apologetic.Josie clung to the small smile he gave like it was a parting gift.

He disappeared with the bailiff and lawyer.Her knuckles were white clutching Brock’s hand and his fingers had lost their color from her hold on them.Forcing her grip to loosen, she inhaled a shaky breath.

“I just want to get out of here without talking to anyone,” she told him.

She moved on autopilot while Brock guided her.They were about to burst through the front doors when Brock stopped.

“It’s pouring out.”

Numbly, she looked outside.Rain fell fast and heavy.She’d been so wrapped up in her brother’s fate that she’d dismissed the noise as the air handling system for the building.

“We can wait a few minutes and see if the worst of it passes,” he said.

“Okay.It’ll give me a chance to find out if I can speak with Jesse before he’s…” She didn’t know where her brother was going to be incarcerated, but she needed the details.

“I’ll wait here.”

Josie found someone to ask, who pointed her to another person, and finally she tracked down Jesse’s lawyer.Her brother wasn’t able to visit; she’d have to come back.By the time she was done, Brock waited by himself at the entrance.His cousins had all left.

Each step she took was as heavy as if she towed an engine.“Take me home, Brock.”

Josie wasantsy to leave the next morning.Brock’s parents had made themselves scarce, as if they sensed her need for space from the Walker crowd.

Brock made her breakfast.Eggs every morning for breakfast wasn’t ideal for her, even if a hot guy was cooking them for her.But she was glad he went through the effort; she didn’t have it in her today.

She studied him again.His muscles flexed under his shirt as he finished dishing himself some food.

Eggs for a while longer might be all right.

She ate her first bite, but they could’ve been wood chips.Her taste buds were as depressed as she was.She set her fork down and sighed.Brock dug into his plate.

“Do you want mine?”She pushed her plate toward him.“I’m not hungry.”

“No, thanks.”

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