Chapter Eighteen #2
Billy jogged in through the entrance, gear jingling. His gaze slid over me to the brewing cluster fuck and changed directions to help Josh. I glanced over my shoulder at Vic and gave Lila’s arms another squeeze.
“Listen, I need to take care of this, but I won’t be long.” I jerked my chin at Vic. “Stay here with Vic and Lacey, and I’ll be right back.”
Fingers twisted together, she nodded on a sniff. This time, I let the sigh out. Yeah, she wasn’t touching me, so I was getting dumped for real.
I’d take care of her first, though.
Vic stepped forward and wrapped a protective arm around Lila’s shoulders. “Girl, I don’t know about you, but I need a fresh beer. Come on.”
Lila let herself be led to the high-top, with a shocked, miserable glance back at me. Holding her gaze, I nodded, then spun and strode to Allison and Nicole’s booth.
Josh stood with Krista a few feet away, head bent and talking in a low voice. Chase folded his arms over his chest, chin lifted and his face bored, while Allison poked a finger at Billy. “I want to press charges against that bitch. She threatened me, and I know that’s a crime.”
I halted at his side, shoulder to shoulder, ignoring Allison’s rant.
“Have reason to believe she accessed my phone without permission while I was at the ER.” I pointed at her, then flicked a finger at Chase. “And he had possession of at least one photo from my device without the party’s consent.”
Billy lifted a brow. “Yeah?”
Chase froze, a sick realization replacing his boredom. I jerked my chin at him.
Yep, not so much easier now is it, buddy?
Allison glared, eyes narrowed so only a little of her blue eyes showed. “He’s fucking lying.”
Billy looked between them, unimpressed. “I need your devices.”
“I’m not giving you anything.” Allison folded her arms. “He’s lying, and I don’t have to–”
I tagged Billy’s chest with the back of my hand. “You need me?”
Accepting Chase’s phone, Billy shook his head. “Nah, we’re good. Catch up to you to sign the complaint.”
“Thanks, man.” I spared Allison one steady look and let one corner of my mouth quirk upward. I’d let Billy and the DA handle her bullshit. Tom McMillan was good people, too – he’d make sure Lila was protected.
I turned, already seeking Lila’s blonde head, finding her at the high-top with Vic and Lacey flanking her, a wall of protective friendship.
“Dan!” Nicole’s voice trembled, her footsteps scrambling behind me.
Mouth tight, I shifted, not facing her fully, hands at my belt while I kept half an eye on Lila.
“I’m sorry.” The words poured out in a panicked rush. Tears made her eyes glossy. She sniffed. “I am. I didn’t mean for you–”
“Not now.” I shook my head, already moving toward Lila. “Not ever.”
Glancing around, Lila caught sight of me and pulled away from Lacey’s easy embrace. She ran the few steps for me and pressed close, fisting the front of my shirt.
“Hey.” I folded my arms about her, her slight shivering vibrating into my chest. Man, I hoped Billy hauled Allison in tonight. Her ass needed to spend at least a few hours in a cell for this. I rubbed a hand down Lila’s spine. “You’re safe.”
She clung harder. Her trembling exhale bled over my collarbone. She shifted, wrapping her arms around my waist. Face buried against my shoulder, she clung to me.
I folded her closer, ignoring the music and chatter and Allison’s raised voice behind us. Flexing my arm, I rested my mouth against her temple. “Let’s get out of here.”
She pulled back, eyes bright and fierce in her pale face. “I love you.”
“Huh?”
Clutching my shirt, she pressed nearer. “You heard me.”
“You’re serious.” I couldn’t quite lean into everything I’d wanted yet. People reacted emotionally to volatile situations, and the night fit the definition of volatile.
“Yes,” she breathed. She tiptoed up to kiss me, a hint of sharp beer on her lips. “I do, Dan. I’d planned to tell you tonight because I couldn’t over the phone this week. I do. I love you.”
My lungs shut down, squeezing hard. She was handing me everything I’d wanted and feared I wouldn’t have.
I cupped her face in one hand. “You’re serious.”
Her slight laugh, shaky but real, puffed over my wrist. “Yes, Dan. I’m serious.”
A chuckle fought free of my chest. She loved me. “You mean it.”
“I mean it.” Now, her laughter was lighter, freer. She linked her arms about my neck and reached up to kiss me. “I love you.”
I opened my mouth, mingling my breath and tongue and everything I felt with hers. She surged closer, a little moan vibrating over my tongue. Caressing the small of her back, I lifted my head. “Let’s get out of here.”
She wrinkled her nose at me. “I thought you wanted one of those godawful chili dogs.”
With an easy palm, I swatted her ass. “I want you.”
Her eyes brightened, glowing with desire and something deeper, a strong love and commitment. Hell, she was everything.
“Hey.” I took a step back and dug in my pocket. “I have something for you.”
She blinked, eyes wide, as gold flashed in my palm under the dim lights.
“Oh.” With a relieved laugh, she touched the hollow of her throat. “Oh, okay. I thought for a second that was a ring–”
“Pfft.” I shook my head, cupping my hand over hers to let the delicate hoops fall into her palm. “Give me some credit. I’m not stupid.”
“They’re beautiful.” She turned them over with a reverent finger. Clutching them to her heart, she tiptoed up to kiss me. “I love them. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I dropped my head and kissed her, dragging my nose alongside hers. Yep, definitely everything, and we had our whole lives now. “I love you.”
“Same.” Curling her free hand in my shirt, she dragged me closer. “Now let’s get out of here so you can take me home and I’ll show you everything I feel about you.”