Page 41 of Wild Card
My brothers exchanged a look. Holden cleared his throat. “Maybe we could move some things around. There’s a grace period on the loan?—”
“No,” I cut in. “Don’t fuck around with that. It’s too important.”
Gray frowned. “I could sell my bike. I don’t know how fast, but I can make some calls.”
Gray had rebuilt that bike and ridden it here from Missouri. He took Emory out for scenic rides. They both loved it.
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“I’m offering,” Gray said. “I know you don’t always trust it, but I’m here for you.”
“We all are,” Holden added.
My throat tightened, so I finished off my beer to loosen it up. “Thanks. But hell, maybe she’d be better off with someone who can afford her without selling off vehicles or organizing shady poker games.”
“Are you still doing that?” Holden tossed his empty bottle in the recycling bin, glass clanking as it landed. “I swear to god?—”
“It was just an idea,” I muttered. “Calm down.”
Gray opened the fridge. “How about another round?”
My brother really was a wise man. We had another beer and shot the shit for the next hour. I had a dozen more useful things I could be doing at the junkyard, but I kept waiting for Dalton to return, nerves swirling. What if he couldn’t get Rusty to drop the charges? Worse, what if Rusty insisted on having Banshee returned tonight?
The sound of an engine outside caught my attention. I walked out of the garage bay. Sure enough, Dalton was back.
I waved an arm so he’d see I was over here. Didn’t want him getting all riled up thinking I’d run off on him.
The car veered toward us and pulled to a stop.
Dalton opened his car door and unfolded his long frame, tipping his head at me.
My stomach flip-flopped.
“So?” I said, anxious. “You here to cuff me again?”
He raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping past me to my brothers. The corners of his lips curled, just enough I could guess what was going through his head.
The same dirty memory in mine.
“Are you taking me to jail or not?” I demanded, unsettled.
“Axel,” Holden said with warning in his voice, like I was his damn kid.
I clamped my jaw shut, even though I kind of wanted to shout or scream or shove Dalton to his knees this time.
My heart gave a startled thump. I thought I was done with these cravings. I’d gotten a taste. That should be enough. It always was.
“No jail today,” he finally said. “Rusty is dropping the charges.”
“Thank goodness,” Gray said.
“Thank you, Deputy,” Holden said.
“But what about Banshee?” Bailey asked, voicing the question I was afraid to ask.
I dropped my hand to her head. To reassure her or me? I didn’t know, but one of us needed it.
Dalton crouched down to look Banshee in the eyes. “You’ve been through enough, haven’t you, sweet girl? I think you’ll stay here with your owner.”
