Page 39 of Aspen's Defense

I drop my bag, crossing to her in three steps.

She squeals as I lift her off her feet into my arms, crashing my mouth down on hers. Her arms twine around my neck, a soft laugh burbling from her lips.

"How are you here right now?" I ask, not entirely convinced that I'm not just imagining the whole thing. She's in my arms and she feels real, but I was in hell not even thirty seconds ago. Forgive me for doubting heaven just appeared before me.

"Did you know Giant's best friend owns a jet?" She looks at me with wide eyes. "You guys should really look into borrowing it to fly instead of using the bus. It's way faster."

"You borrowed a private jet to fly here?"

"No. Giant borrowed it to get me here." She touches my cheek, smiling. "He's outside, getting my bags."

"Giant's here?"

She nods. "Dillon thought it would be best if we left town."

"He shot someone."

Her eyes widen. "You know?"

"I've been going out of my fucking mind," I growl, scooping my bag from the floor without putting her down. I carry her toward the elevator, not giving a shit who sees us. "What the hell happened?"

"It's a long story."

"I've got time," I say, stabbing the button for the elevator.

Naturally, the doors immediately slide open.

Aspen makes a face at me.

I ignore it and stab the button for the fourth floor before backing her up against the wall. "Talk, Dimples."

"I wanted to bake so I convinced Jack to send me supplies. I guess Troy was watching the shop because he showed up in the kitchen while Giant was going pee. He tried to convince me to plead his case for him because he claims that Silar was blackmailing him and that's the only reason he was there. But when I found out why Silar was blackmailing him, I refused. He didn't like that much. I guess he decided to gamble with his life?" She shrugs before rambling on. "I'm not sure what he was thinking, honestly. But he started rushing toward me, so Giant shot him."

"He's dead?"

"He probably wishes he were," she mutters darkly. "I told Dillon everything. But he'll survive the gunshot wound. Giant shot him in the shoulder."

"I suddenly have a pressing need to get arrested."

She groans, dropping her head against my shoulder. "Nash said the same thing."

"You talked to Nash?"

"After you left this morning," she whispers.

"Hold that thought," I mutter when the elevator shudders to a stop on the fourth floor. The doors slide open.

Of course it slides open to half my teammates standing on the opposite side. They take one look at the way I'm holding her, and the catcalls commence.

"Stow it!" Colter barks, meeting my gaze as Aspen tries to squirm out of my arms. "You good, Noah?"

"Perfect," I growl, trying to keep Aspen still before my dick gets any harder.

Colter jerks his head in a nod, relief in his gaze. "We're taking the stairs, people."

"We're on the fourth floor," Atlas complains.

"Then your big ass better get to walking."

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