Page 39 of Wild Card
“Does he deserve to go to jail?”
“Not this time.”
“If he did deserve to go, do you think you’d really break the rules for him? If he did something bad, if he hurt someone?—”
“Of course not. He’s got a good heart, though. He wouldn’t hurt anyone.”
“Well, there you go. You’re still a good judge of what’s right and wrong. You wouldn’t even like this guy if he was so bad, would you?”
“I don’t know,” I muttered. “I hope you’re right.”
Because if not, I would end up no different than Sheriff Hale. And I despised that man.
It was a good thing Axel didn’t want more than a taste of me. I could probably devour him whole and go back for seconds, but it was better for us both if that didn’t happen.
I was still an officer of the law, and I’d already made too many exceptions for him. Today wouldn’t be the last time he got into trouble.
Axel was a wild card—and it was my job to keep him in check.
CHAPTER 11
Axel
I waited just long enoughfor the sound of Dalton’s cruiser to fade away. Then I charged over to the RV and opened the door. Banshee dove into my arms, the other dogs pushing in behind her.
I buried my face in her fur, and my heart squeezed hard. Maybe I could get the money together to buy her somehow. Maybe organize another poker night—maybe a whole weekend tourney sort of deal? It was too soon, and Dalton was likely to slap the cuffs on me all over again if he caught on, but I had to try.
Besides, being cuffed by Deputy Harvey had been surprisingly satisfying when it included his dick in my mouth.
“What the hell happened?” Holden called from the open gate.
I took an extra moment, rubbing Banshee’s ears so I could swallow down the lump in my throat.
Holden came down the path toward me. “I saw the sheriff’s car go by. Please tell me you’re not in some kind of trouble again, Axel.”
“No.” I paused. “At least, I don’t think so.”
“What does that mean? We really can’t afford?—”
I raised my head, and he stopped abruptly.
“What is it?” he asked, tone softening. “What happened?”
“I think I’m going to lose Banshee.” My voice cracked like I was a prepubescent boy. “Fuck, I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
Holden edged closer, hesitantly reached out, and gave my arm a small tap.
That was a big gesture from him these days. I missed his hugs, though. I hadn’t had one since one of my pups died two years ago. It took a lot for Holden to overcome his aversion, but he always came through when one of us needed him.
“Come over to the shop,” Holden said. “Let’s figure this out together.”
I nodded, even though there wasn’t much to work out. Banshee’s fate was in Dalton’s hands now.
I carried Banshee. At thirty-five pounds, she was manageable, and the poor girl needed reassurance after her ordeal. The other dogs trailed along behind us.
“Wow, you brought the whole entourage,” Gray said, not sounding too thrilled as he eyed Taz.
I set Banshee on the floor, and she leaned against my leg. Sugar stayed close, as if she sensed Banshee and I needed her.
