Page 50 of Lake's Legacy

“Olivia…” Levi starts, but Jack holds up his hand to stop him.

“Don’t bother. It isn’t our call. Let Hex and the others make the decision. For now, they’re both safe in here. I’ll watch the rear to ensure they don’t sneak out the back.”

“Why don’t we just call the police?” Annette asks.

Levi and Jack have a conversation without words. Since they seem unwilling to answer, I take charge.

“We don’t know if we can trust the police,” I tell her. She frowns at me as I continue. “These guys are extorting money from several businesses in New Orleans. A woman who owned a bakery went to the cops and demanded they do something about the men. However, instead of arresting the men, the men kidnapped her and burned down her bakery. The cops said sheburned the place down to collect the insurance. They ignored the eyewitness statement of someone who saw the men kidnap her and start the fire. If we call the cops, how do we know if the cops who come can be trusted?”

Jack gave me a quick nod before climbing out of the SUV and taking the path he had taken earlier.

We wait in silence. I’m staring at the building, wishing to see through the walls. When both passenger doors fly open, and two men slide in. Annette lets out a squeak while I jolt. However, the familiar scent of leather and wood calms me. Wrapping my arms around Lake, I relax into him. All my stress melts away knowing he’s here.

“I take it Jack’s watching the rear?” Hex asks from the front seat.

Levi nods. “He’s been texting me. I let him know you’re here. What’s the plan?”

“Why don’t you drive the women back to the clubhouse, then come back.”

“No,” I saw, leaning forward, only to have Lake pull me back against him.

“You’ll both be safer at the clubhouse,” Lake says. “Toff is there, too.”

“We can help,” I protest. “The woman they kidnapped will trust us before she trusts you. We can take care of her while you take care of the assholes who kidnapped her.”

“She has a point,” Hex says. “Cleo and Skylar were a great help when we rescued those kids.”

“Okay, but you both stay in the SUV with Levi until we call for you,” Lake demands.

“Of course.”

When the guys don’t get out, I turn a questioning look towards Lake. “It thought you guys were going in?”

Lake chuckles. “We are. We need to wait until it gets dark.”

“They could be hurting her,” I remind them.

“They aren’t,” Levi responds. “Jack’s close enough to see and hear what’s happening inside.”

“Do you have a first aid kit in here?” Annette asks.

“Yeah,” Lake says, reaching over the seat to lift the floor. Inside is a cavity filled with blankets and a duffle bag. He pulls the bag out and plops it on my lap.

“What else do you have back there?” I ask as Annette searches through the bag, and Lake hands me a blanket.

“You don’t want to know,” he replies.

“Okay, let’s go,” Hex says, opening his door. Lake kisses me before following his President.

It isn’t completely dark outside. I can still see a sliver of light from the setting sun, but most of the area is in shadow. The guys quickly disappear from view. I brace myself for the sound of gunshots, but the night remains eerily quiet. With my eyes locked on the building, the sound of the car door opening has me jolting again. I glance at Levi, who is stepping out of the SUV.

“Let’s go,” he says as he opens my door.

“Go where?” Annette asks.

He gives us a questioning look. “I thought you two wanted to go inside to help the nurse they kidnapped?”

“Is it all over?” I ask in surprise. “I didn’t hear anything.”

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