Chapter 26
Magnolia
My phone buzzes with a text from Molly, and I’m grateful for the distraction from my spiraling thoughts about Levi being out there on that operation.
MO: Want to have lunch? I need to get out of the office for a bit.
I look around at Levi’s house, maybe one day our house? And realize I can’t just sit here waiting for him to come home. I’ll drive myself crazy.
MA: Yeah, I’ll meet you at The Café in twenty.
MO: Perfect. See you there.
I throw on some actual clothes instead of the leggings and Levi’s shirts I’ve been living in, do something with my hair, and head out. The drive into town is short, but my mind won’t stop racing. Is Levi okay? Did the operation go well? Is he safe?
Molly’s already at a table when I arrive, two menus in front of her. She stands to hug me, and I hold on maybe a little longer than normal.
“You okay?” she asks when we sit down.
“Yeah, just…a lot going on.”
“I know.” She reaches across the table to squeeze my hand. “Mags, be honest with me. What’s really going on with you and Levi?”
My heart stutters. “What do you mean?”
“Come on. You’re staying at his house. You showed up to Thanksgiving together. I’ve seen the way you two look at each other.” She pauses, her expression softening. “I’m not mad, if that’s what you’re worried about. I just want the truth.”
I open my mouth to answer, to maybe finally admit what’s been happening between Levi and me, but before I can, Molly’s phone buzzes. She glances down at it, and her expression changes.
“What?” I ask. “What is it?”
“It’s Dad. He says…” Her eyes widen. “Holy shit. There was a big bust out at Freedom Farms. They arrested a bunch of people for illegal wildlife trafficking.”
My stomach drops. “When?”
“Just now, I think. Dad says he’s heading back to the station to help process everyone.” She looks up at me. “Why? What’s wrong?”
But I can’t answer, because through the window, I see them.
Police cars. Multiple police cars, pulling up in front of the Laurel Springs Police Department across the square. And they’re doing perp walks, bringing out men in handcuffs one by one.
“Mags?” Molly follows my gaze. “What are you looking at?”
I stand up so fast my chair nearly tips over, moving to the window. The Café is only a few storefronts down from the police department, and I can see everything as clearly as if I were standing out there watching.
That’s when I see him.
Cody.
He’s in handcuffs, being led out of one of the cruisers. And as if he can feel my eyes on him, he looks directly at me.
Even from this distance, I can see the rage on his face. His lips move, and I can read them as clearly as if he were standing right in front of me.
This is your fault.
And then, more chilling: You’ll pay for this.
My blood turns to ice. Molly appears at my side, following my gaze.
“Is that…?”
“Cody,” I whisper. “That’s Cody.”
“Oh my God.” Molly grabs my arm. “Mags, what the hell is going on?”
I can’t answer. Can’t speak. Can only watch as they take him inside, his eyes burning into mine until he disappears through the doors of the police department. Not just because I don’t want to talk to her, but because I really have no clear idea what the fuck has happened this morning.
This is your fault.
You’ll pay for this.
The words echo in my head, and despite the warmth of The Café, I’ve never felt colder.
“I don’t know, I have no idea why he’s being perp walked with all of them.”
Molly sucks in a breath. “Is that Levi? And Dakota? Why in the fuck are they being arrested?”
Sure enough, there they are, both with their hands behind their backs, being walked with the rest of them.
Now this, I know, is because they’ve been working the undercover operation.
If I’ve learned anything from watching TV shows, it’s that they have to make it look real.
But Molly doesn’t know about the operation.
“I have no idea, this all seems so crazy. What do you say we shelve this lunch for now, and we’ll figure out what the hell is going on? ”
She nods. “Yeah, I’m gonna call my mom. I’ll see you later.”
When Molly leaves, I immediately head down the sidewalk to where my SUV is parked. I get in, and with one hand I’m texting Shelby. With the other, I’m turning the wheel, pointing it toward the direction of Shelby’s office.
Once I get there, she’s standing outside. “I heard what happened,” she says. “I’m already making calls to see what we can do to move this along quickly. I don’t want you to get caught in whatever it is he’s involved in.”
“Thank you,” I reach out, hugging her tightly. “I have no idea what’s going on, but I’m terrified. What if they ask me about this?”
“Then you call me, Magnolia. We’re in this together. I have some more calls to make, but I want you to go home and relax as much as you can.”
I don’t know if I’m going to be able to, but I can’t wait for Levi to hold me in his arms. There’s no telling how long it’s going to take, but I’m anxiously waiting for him to be released.
But I go home, and I do some work, trying to keep my mind off of what the hell happened in Laurel Springs today.