Page 62 of Up in a Blaze
I stepped up to him and gripped his shoulder. “Kid, I’m sure you’re doing the best you can in whatever circumstance you have. Just remember, you have other people who want to be in your life and help.”
He nodded, gaze dropping to the floor, and I heard him sniff again. “It’s hard to rely on people.”
“Yeah, I can understand that.”
Suddenly, he offered me a small smile before he said, “I better not cry anymore, or I worry Henri will kill you.”
Chuckling, I nodded. “Now you’re getting it.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
HENRI
I walked into the café and waved to West, Lucas, and Adrick. Gun followed me since we had come together from my place. Blaze had the poor man staying with me while he was away, staking out the port in Los Angeles. He’d left a couple of days ago with Torch, Wreck, Quake, State, Saint, Loyal, and a few other club members. Country had gone to the Mexico port about a week ago with Tech, Death, Rule, Boss, Chaos, Boomer and their team.
As we weaved through the tables to our friends, I pushed my worry for Blaze down. He could take care of himself. All the brothers who were there were capable too. They would also have one another’s backs. But knowing it didn’t stop my rising concern and make my stomach stop twisting anxiously.
Still, I would keep praying that everything would go smoothly, and they could save the kidnapped people without anyone getting hurt.
So, I plastered a smile on my face and called, “Bonjour.”
West and Lucas beamed over at Gun and me, but Adrick only tipped his chin up, which was exactly what Blaze would have done. It had my smile turning real.
“Who would be a gem and grab me a coffee and treat?” I asked, taking a seat with a sigh. “I am exhausted.”
Gun snorted. “I’ll get it. What do you want?”
“The biggest cookie there is, any flavor, and a black coffee with two sugars.” I went to hand him my card, but he waved me off. “Thank you, chéri,” I called as he walked away.
“I will get you something, West,” Adrick said before leaving.
Lucas let out a frustrated noise. “I can’t pick what I want. I’ll make up my mind at the last second.” Lucas stood and moved toward the line at the registers.
That left West and me. He cocked his head to the side. “How’re you holding up?”
I gave him a tight-lipped smile and a shrug. “I’ll be fine as soon as he’s home. As soon as all of them are.” But mostly the man I couldn’t live without.
Fear clogged my throat. I quickly looked away and swallowed thickly.
West’s hand closed over mine on the table. “He’ll be okay.”
Tears welled, but I blew out a breath and swiped at my face, then waved a hand around. “I know he will or else he has me to deal with.”
He promised me he would take care of himself.
“I’m sure he wouldn’t want your wrath.”
“Very true, sweet West.”
“I’m going to slip to the bathroom quickly. Be back.” He caught Adrick’s attention when he stood, knowing he would need to tell his husband where he was going, so he pointed toward the back of the café. Adrick tipped his chin up, and since there was still a line to the register, he watched West move all the way to the bathroom.
Drawing in a deep breath, I shifted my gaze out the window.
The day was overcast, the darker day matching my mood. I had thought this catch-up to talk about the Playhouse would take my mind off things, but I doubted it would. Not when Blaze was a constant thought.
It was then a person caught my attention, and I snapped my spine straight. “Sawyer,” I muttered.
I noticed Sawyer frantically looking around from where he stood across the road. I rushed to the front door and out it.
