Chapter 22
CHAPTER
TWENTY-TWO
Van
How one cop managed to pull over two vehicles traveling at high rates of speed is an anomaly.
He passed Zoey, pointed at her, released some sort of chirp sound and then repeated that action with me before pulling onto the emergency access lane.
My mind was such a damn mess, I was in flight mode, that I’m unsure how I had the mental capacity to understand his directive.
He comes to me first since I’m directly behind him, rapping his knuckles against the passenger side window. “Morning, ma’am,” he says, dipping his hat after I hit the button that cracks the glass. I only lower it a smidgeon, barely enough for him to fit his fingers through.
“Officer,” I greet, keeping my wits. I may sound calm, cool, and collected but that’s not the case. I’m a ball of nervous energy that’s wound up so tight it won’t take much for me to snap.
“Rio’s a friend, he sent me and another man from the Rangers to help y’all out.
I’m only here as a layer of protection. There’s a Ma and Pa diner down the road, Marietta’s Cafe, where you’ll be safe until your men can make it and you can continue along your journey.
I’ll sit outside and watch over you and your friend while you’re there. ”
If he hadn’t mentioned Rio, I wouldn’t be inclined to believe him. I’m still a bit skeptical and need to make a call to verify what he told me. I lift my phone from the cup holder, wave it through the air, and say, “It’s not that I doubt you, but I’d like to confirm what you’re telling me.”
“That’s a mighty fine idea, ma’am,” he says with a Texas drawl, smirking. “You can never be too careful. Even men carrying a badge can be crooked.”
“That’s unfortunate, but true,” I remark. Dialing Rio’s number that has recently been added to my list of contacts, I call him.
“Rio,” he answers.
“Do you know an Officer Rodriguez?” I ask, not beating around the bush.
“Teddy? Yeah, he’s a good guy. He’s on our side, Van. He’ll keep watch over you and Zoey until the guys can wrap up.”
This seems like my opportunity to ask about Riptide. “Have you talked to them, Rio? Are they okay?”
“They’re alright, Van. They’re just caught up in something and need to take care of it before heading your way.”
“Will they know where to find us?” I ask, not wanting to get off the path Riptide told me to keep going on.
“They’ve been advised and will be with you shortly.
I’ll call Zoey and tell her what I’m about to tell you.
Go where Teddy wants you to go, he’ll keep you safe.
You need a minute to catch your breath and you’ll feel better if there is a group of people around you.
” It sounds more like an order than a suggestion, but Rio has a point, I need to be somewhere surrounded by people.
“Thank you, Rio.”
“Anytime, Van. Gotta go. Give me three minutes to catch Zoey up and then head where Teddy instructed.” The line disconnects without him letting me know he was fixing to hang up, making me snort. Men act like a civilized goodbye is beneath them.
Zoey and I couldn’t stomach any food, but we made sure Elodie got something and I fed Gagey one of his pouches I dug out from the travel cooler before we came inside the diner.
It feels like days instead of a couple of hours before the roar of motorcycles ride into the parking lot.
“They’re here,” Zoey says, releasing a sigh of relief.
“Thank God,” I say, my voice muffled. “I didn’t realize we’d gotten as far ahead of them as we did.”
“Going ninety miles per hour will do that,” she teases. “In another life, you must’ve been a race car driver.”
“I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that I was able to keep my car inside the lanes going that fast. It’s a first for me,” I humorlessly snicker. “I was scared to death that I would veer off the side of the road and crash.”
“You handled yourself like a pro, Van. I took my cues from you. Elodie thought it was fun and laughed the entire time, me however, I was shaking like a leaf.”
“I’m still shaking,” I tell her, holding out my hands as evidence to show her the proof. “I was luckier than you though because the steady lull of the car kept my boy fast asleep.”
The bell over the diner rings and both of our heads swivel in that direction. Our men come charging in and their shoulders don’t relax until they spot us. My ass is glued to the seat, I can’t seem to get my body to cooperate and rush into Riptide’s arms the way my brain wants me to.
But I don’t have to worry about that because the very second he reaches me, he yanks me into his arms, burying his face into my neck as his hands grip me tightly.
“I’ve never been so fucking scared in my life, Van,” he admits.
“Knowing you and little man were in the line of fire messed with my mind. For a second there, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep my head in the game. ”
“I knew you’d keep us safe,” I coo, using the same tone I use on Gagey when he’s been incessantly crying. “We’re alright, Riptide.”
“Rush, Van. My given name is Rush, I need to hear you use it,” he claims.
“We’re alright, Rush,” I repeat, his name slipping off my tongue like butter. “Rush, it fits you. You do like to take things at warp speed. Your mom knew what she was doing when she gave it to you. Why did I not know that before now? It never even hit my mind to ask.”
“Don’t know, doesn’t matter,” he states.
“Da da da da,” Gagey babbles, his balled hands flailing, causing Riptide to take a step back and peer down at our boy in his car seat.
“Hey, little man.” Riptide leans over, unstraps him, and pulls him into his chest. “You don’t look any worse for the wear.”
“He slept through the entire thing,” I inform him.
“Nerves of steel, huh?” Riptide asks, his face showing utmost pride for our boy. Yeah, I’ve accepted the fact that he’s not just mine anymore, and I’m happy to share him with my man. He’s proven to me that we’re both important to him and he wants us both.
I snort-laugh. “He doesn’t get that from me. I’m a scaredy cat, plain and simple.”
“You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for, Van,” he scolds.
“I don’t know many women who wouldn’t have kept going and waved goodbye to me through the rearview mirror.
You being here, waiting for me, says a lot about your strength and character.
Issy is right, you’re going to make one helluva old lady. ”
“Flattery will get you everywhere with me, Rush,” I confess, engulfing him and Gagey in my arms.
“Everywhere you say. Care to expand on that, Van?”
“Not here and not right now. We only have a few hours left until we’re home. Let’s postpone that chat for when we’re alone,” I propose.
“Boo. That’s no fun, we could’ve given you some advice,” Indiana jokes.
“We don’t need your advice,” Riptide states, leering at him. “Zoey’s still holding your hand and guiding you through y’all’s relationship.”
“That’s not true,” Indiana digresses, turning around to Zoey and demanding, “Tell him he’s wrong.”
“I can’t. Elodie’s here and I’m trying to teach her the difference between telling the truth and lying,” Zoey asserts.
“Y’all are cold. Every damn one of you,” Indiana pouts.
“Can we move along?” Icer interrupts. “I want the princess and prince home where I know they’re behind our locked gates.”
LoneStar releases a grumble. “Since when did he become the voice of reason?”
“Because he’s the smart one,” Elodie says in defense of her favorite uncle. “Uncle Icer, can you read me my new book when we get home?”
“What new book?” Zoey asks, peering down at her daughter.
“The one about kitties and going on adventures,” she remarks, glancing up at her mom through her lashes. The innocent act she portrays has her mother eating out of the palm of her hand.
“Is it age appropriate?” Zoey continues probing for answers.
“The lady at the bookstore said it was for little kids, kids my age, and kids that are ninety-nine. I didn’t know kids could get that old,” Elodie repeats the lady’s sales pitch, with her brows drawn down. “Did you know that, Mama?”
“I didn’t, but it explains a lot,” Zoey says, scanning each man with us from head to toe.
“Hey!” Indiana woundedly yells. “I resent that look, Zo.”
Zoey and I share a meaningful look before we burst into laughter. “Pay the bill, biker man. I’m going to take Elodie to the bathroom then get her back into the car.” She slaps him in the pecs as she reaches out her hand and takes Elodie to empty her bladder.
“I’m gonna put a fresh diaper on Gagey before we leave. I can’t wait to see our new home. Which reminds me, did you get in touch with the movers so that my stuff is rerouted?” I ask, hoping he remembered because I forgot.
“I did,” he confirms. “Your things will be arriving in the morning. Luckily, since everything was going to the same town they didn’t charge me extra for the change but I’ll be handing them an envelope full of cash for a tip to show my appreciation.”
“You don’t have to do that, Rush. My company took care of that,” I state.
“Don’t have to, but I’m going to.” He gives me and our boy a peck on the head then heads toward the hostess station to take care of our bill.
“I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve you,” I whisper to his back as he walks away. “But I hope whatever that is, I keep doing it.”