24. Chapter 24
Chapter 24
KAT
W ithout me even having to ask, he’d somehow known I was thirsty and hungry, and through the conversation with this Griffin guy, he quietly led me out of his room.
I slowly followed Bernie down the stairs, the words from his buddy on the phone drifting like a butterfly during an intense wind. They were there, but they struggled to sift through the crash of everything else, and his fingers lazily threaded in mine.
Griffin’s buddies in law enforcement had informed him that the police were aware of this little gang. The Cobweb Crew bloomed onto the market a few years ago, around the time Wyatt got wrapped up with them, and no matter what the police had tried to do to get them gone, they seemed to stick around as if they were spider silk themselves. So, while they continued to be monitored by the cops, they’d put the gang on the back burner while going after bigger fish in the sea instead .
“There’s nothing they can give you that would help me keep Kat out of this shit until Wyatt gets outed? Like, I don’t know, how to get him fucking arrested so he doesn’t try something?” he grumbled, placing his phone down on the kitchen counter, and braced his palms against the edge.
“I mean, you could call in an anonymous tip or something, but you’d have to know where he deals and when,” Griffin replied, his voice booming from the speaker.
“That’s really fucking helpful. I should just find out where the fucking headquarters for this crew is and blow that shit up,” he snarled, pinching the bridge of his nose.
I stood beside him quietly, my world spinning dizzyingly around me. Warm from Bernie’s obvious and very protective stance, yet terrified by the knowledge that I only mattered to him.
“Bernie, we’re not overseas, so you can’t exactly do that,” Griffin replied.
“I know. I just—”
“Look,” Griffin inserted. “I’ll make some more calls to see what information they might be able to give me. But Bernie, this isn’t a mission where you need to go after the bad guy. Your job is to protect Kat and avoid getting caught with her for a week until her brother informs her parents, right?”
“So, I’m supposed to sit back and fucking do nothing? What about after Sawyer tells his parents?” Bernie asked; his voice held a tone that sent a shiver up my spine.
A heavy sigh came from the speaker as the front door creaked. As it swung open, I glanced away from Bernie’s bare back, his muscles rolling with tension that had me drooling despite knowing how horrendous the situation looked for me.
Ford crept scarily silent inside the house. Several grocery bags slung over each of his arms. The only thing adding ambience was the rustling of the plastic scratching together.
“Then, we’ll assess the situation and create a new game plan. At this point, I know you’re assuming Wyatt will get pissed so he might try something. Prepare for that, but, and heavy on the fucking but , a violent response should be the last resort. One toe out of line, something a little suspicious happens, and the Navy will get involved. You and I both know how that’ll turn out for you,” Griffin cautioned.
Bernie closed his eyes and braced against the counter. “Yeah, I know.”
“I’ll let you know what else I find, but no guarantees, so don’t be a dumbass about this. And, I don’t know, maybe go try to enjoy some stable, normal civilian life with your girl for once,” Griffin warned, and the line went dead with a click.
Wandering around his back, I quietly sifted through cupboards, searching for a clean glass. Silence filled the room as quickly as smoke in a burning building. Everything around me seemed to be on fire, yet there was a blissful simmering I bathed in.
I finally located a clean cup as the rustling of plastic bags settled on the counter and Ford spoke. “You gonna tell me what the fuck is going on?”
Bernie opened his eyes as I quietly closed the cupboard. And we both began to explain the situation. Hearing him speak about it, about me, sent a ripple of strange exhilaration through me. He seemed more obsessed than I’d originally thought. Respectful, yet, as his voice deepened, the animal stalked forward because of his inability to do anything. I eventually found myself sitting on the counter with Bernie between my legs.
He leaned back against me, one hand running gently up and down the outside of my thigh. “I can’t just sit back and do nothing,” he grumbled again.
Ford munched on a cookie, the groceries were put away, and my belly was full of leftover spaghetti Bernie’s mom had made last night. “I heard Griffin warn you.”
His fingers tightened, digging into my thigh. I could see the war going on inside his head, torn between what he should do and what he wanted to do. The impulsive Bernie versus the rational, mature man. And I hoped he knew I liked both sides of him.
“I know,” he finally muttered. “So, what am I supposed to do?”
“Exactly what Griffin said,” I replied, butting in.
Ford nodded and took another bite of his cookie.
Bernie remained silent, and the way he mindlessly wandered his hand up and down my thigh sent a chill across my skin.
Then Ford shrugged his shoulders and raised a brow. “When did you say Sawyer’s deadline is up?”
Bernie’s head tilted up, hiding whatever expression coated his face from me. “A week.”
Neither man spoke, but they stared at each other, some silent communication crossing boundaries I knew nothing of. And then a glimmer sparkled in Ford’s eye.
“Self-defense?” Bernie started .
“Violent options are a last resort, remember?” I emphasized, confusion bubbling in my veins. “What is going on?”
Bernie spun around between my legs and looked directly at me. “We know Sawyer is going to tell them sometime this week. But my guess is he’ll push it until the last minute, so Saturday. Which means as long as we know where Wyatt is, we can keep you safe. So, you need to find out where he will be on Saturday.”
“I already know that.” I narrowed my eyes, studying the shimmer in Bernie’s gaze. I knew that look. It was the same one he’d had before getting on the bronc. The same one he’d had when we snuck up to my room. Which led me to conclude that there was more to asking that than simply keeping me safe.
“How?” He arched his brow.
“Because it’s a small town, and it’s the only thing happening this weekend. Plus, his parents make huge donations every year,” I explained.
“Kit Kat.” He tucked both hands around the outside of my legs, dancing his calloused touch lightly across my skin. “What is happening this weekend?”
“Prom.”
His lip curled as a green hue slid across his face. “Prom? Why the fuck is a grown-ass man going to prom? That’s nasty.”
“Nasty like your shits after we’ve lived on nothing but MREs and fucking worm-infested water,” Ford muttered through a final mouthful of cookie crumbs.
“I warn you, every fucking time, to find yourself scarce when I gotta shit, so that’s on you,” Bernie said and spun around .
“I’ll just let you die from Lyme disease or whatever the hell ticks give you next time then.”
“I won’t check your fat ass either, mother fucker.”
“Nah, but your mom will.”
“Right before she—”
“Boys,” I quickly inserted, stopping Bernie from saying whatever crass thing I just knew was going to come out of his mouth.
He inhaled deeply and sheepishly returned his attention to me, a small pout on his face.
“Now, would you like me to answer why Wyatt is going to prom, or are you two going to continue to bicker like an old married couple who hasn’t fucked in ten years?” I asked.
The pout immediately wiped from Bernie’s face. “Only Ford’s been dry for that long, Kit Kat.”
Ford frowned. “You’re lucky I don’t—”
“Seriously! You two!” I exclaimed.
Bernie merely shrugged. “You ain’t seen nothing yet, baby. But please, explain why this grown-ass man is going to a dance meant for high schoolers. Minors.”
Rolling my eyes, I pulled my lips into a thin line. “He’s going as a chaperone. His parents donate a lot of money to the school, and he chaperones .”
He rolled his eyes with a soft groan. “Oh, shit. Now I’m the dumbass ’cause I agreed to chaperone prom for Raiden just before you two showed up. Let’s blame the brain fog on sex.” His brows jumped up as a crooked grin slid across his face, a twinkle deepening in his eyes as his gaze slid over his shoulder. “This Saturday… ”
A smirk lifted on Ford’s lips, but he remained silent.
I narrowed my eyes and gestured between the two of them. “I really hate when you two do whatever that it is you’re doing. Use your damn words.”
Ford snickered. “You should go on a date. To the same place. That way we can keep an eye on Wyatt and keep you safe.”
Rolling my eyes, I shook my head. “No. I am a big girl and can handle myself.”
“Yes, you can handle yourself. You’re all tough and feisty, but Wyatt could be high, there could be other gang members with him or who knows what,” Bernie explained. “There’s too many unknown variables. And you—”
“I don’t need you watching my every move at every second of the day. Besides, won’t going with you make Wyatt suspicious that I’m not honoring our unbetrothed betrothal? Like, in a very obvious way,” I countered.
Ford and Bernie glanced back at each other, once again a silent conversation passing between a simple exchange of chuckles. “Kit Kat, you’re going with Wyatt. As I had tried to say before you cut me off. While I will be bringing this big oaf right there.” Bernie tossed a thumb at Ford lounging casually against the kitchen island.
“You swear you’ve never done anything with him?” I cautiously questioned.
“Again, he’s not my type. But for the evening, I shall wine and dine and schmooze the numbnut so nobody gets suspicious that I’m fucking the farmer’s daughter,” Bernie explained and then snickered to himself. “Isn’t that a song? ”
“Rancher. My dad is a rancher.” I pursed my lips and crossed my arms.
Bernie snickered again and raked his fingers across my thigh. “Close enough.”
I smacked the back of his hand.
And the reality of what he’d said slammed into me as if I’d been struck by a car.
“Hold on though. Wouldn’t it be smarter to not have me around at all? If I’m just simply not there…”
Shaking his hand as if he’d skimmed across hot coals, he nodded. “While that is a valid point, Sawyer mentioned Wyatt is already a little suspicious. He knows something’s changed. So, if you go as his date, that’ll hopefully be a buffer to throw him off the scent for a little while longer. Plus, I have to go to prom, and if he just happens to lose control of his temper and try to put his hands on you…” He trailed off, giving me a dashing grin.
“No. You heard your buddy! If you start something—”
“I wouldn’t be starting anything.” He reached forward and brushed some hair away from my face. “Time can’t magically stop, Kit Kat. Which means Saturday comes whether we want it to or not. That’s inevitable. I promised Sawyer, and I promised myself I’d keep you safe. Not a single scratch on that beautiful body of yours will happen while you’re with me.” His eyes slid down my figure, sending a rush of heat up my veins.
Ford cleared his throat behind Bernie, and I glanced over his hair. “Pretty sure stopping someone from hitting a woman or whatever the fuck he might try once he finds out that your parents know he’s dealing isn’t starting anything. ”
“Since I can’t take the fight to them, I’ll let it come to us. Sort of. Possibly. Only if Wyatt is that type of guy. Which he may not be. Which I know would be the preferred thing, but I mean…” Bernie finished with a shrug of his shoulders.
Inhaling deeply, I shook my head. But the logic sounded solid. At this point, Wyatt had no idea that Bernie knew. That I knew. And technically if Bernie happened to be around if Wyatt tried some shit with me depending on when Sawyer told my parents or when he found out I’m involved with Bernie… I lifted the ball cap from his head and tugged it over my hair, pulling my ponytail through the hole in the back.
“But what are you going to do if Sawyer doesn’t tell my parents? I can’t tell them, or they’ll just think I’m making it up to get rid of Wyatt. You can’t tell them, or they’ll think the same thing,” I asked.
Bernie tipped his head. “Why do you think I’m trying to get all of the intel on the gang that I can? Their habits, hideout, whereabouts, all of that?”
“You’re going to run a sting on an entire gang by yourself?” I cried out.
His chuckle reverberated deep within his chest. “No, Kat. Just Wyatt.”
Studying the two men, something rolled in my stomach that shocked me. Excitement? Was I actually a little thrilled to be involved in whatever might happen? The worry or fear that should’ve been thick in my veins was absent. Something told me that as long as Bernie was around, I’d be safe. That no matter how desperate the situation became, he was my sanctuary.
I nodded reluctantly. “Bernie, I’m only agreeing to all of this because nothing will most likely happen. But are you sure you want to come with…a guy? This is a small town, remember? ”
Bernie shrugged. “Can a guy not have friends that are guys?”
I slapped a palm against my forehead. “I’m sorry. I just—”
“Kit Kat, it’s fine. I’m gonna give you shit ’cause that’s what I do.” Bernie flicked the brim of his baseball cap still sitting on my head and then tipped his own. His eyes narrowed, curiosity twisting across features that ignited a fire within me. “So, I recently learned about the cowboy hat rule. Does that apply the other way around too? Say, if a guy takes a girl’s hat?”
Raising a brow, I couldn’t stop the smile from stretching my lips. “Want to find out?”
He nodded his head yes so vigorously, his jowls flapped up and down. “Yes, please!”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” I replied, and he pursed his lips. “I should go, though. Before my family gets suspicious about why I’ve been gone so long.”
“Speaking of family, as just a reminder, you’ve gotta play it like you’re not into this ruggedly handsome redhead,” Bernie said, brushing his thumb across my lips.
“I know that,” I said and clicked my tongue.
His expression darkened. “No. I’m serious. I get there’s the shit about your dad not liking guys in the military, but we can deal with that later. This is to keep you safe. If Wyatt gets even a hint that you’re not available for him, who knows what he’ll do. And you can’t be alone. At all.”
“Benjamin Phillips, absolutely not. I don’t need a damn babysitter.”
“Oooooh, she just used your full fucking name. You’re in trouble,” Ford mocked, and Bernie flipped him the middle finger without removing his gaze from mine .
“It’s so you—”
“I will be safe. Again, I don’t think you realize how capable I am of handling shit. I grew up with four brothers on a ranch, remember?” I protested.
“Fine.” He knotted his jaw for a moment. “But, even a hint of Wyatt turning aggressive or the moment you know that Sawyer’s told your parents, you call me immediately. Okay?”
I nodded slowly and scooted to the edge of the counter. With his palms against my waist, Bernie helped me slide down to my feet. Towering over me, he gently lifted his hat from my head. His green eyes remained locked with mine, something deeper whispering through them. A thread as strong as baling twine wrapped between us, intertwining our fates together.
“I’m glad I’m yours,” I whispered. His brows twitched, but he remained silent, his hands still draped against my hips. “I’ll always be yours.”
Wet lips pressed against my forehead. His kiss, gently locking onto my skin, danced a ghost of warning and desire through my body. “You’re it for me. No matter what happens,” he replied, barely audible, I almost missed his words.
There were mountains between us and actually having a lasting relationship. I knew that. He knew that. But despite it all, it seemed both of us were willing to waltz to the record of hope. Hope that one day, we wouldn’t have to fight the world to have an us.
His lips peeled away from my forehead, and he smiled down at me. “You better come tomorrow.”
“I wouldn’t miss it. I’ll bring the family too,” I replied .
His hands disappeared from my waist, and I slowly wandered around his frame, shooting a smile at Ford. He winked as I disappeared out of the house.