Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Delaney
Two days after my abduction, the lawyer came to talk with us again.
The judge denied bail for Acid due to his association with the club and the high profile of the law firm Blaine had worked for.
Even though they had been set to fire him for the way he let his work slip, Blaine was still known as an employee there, and they decided to make an example of the club.
Tank says they just want the free publicity that will come with pushing hard on this case.
I hate that Blaine is still fucking with us from the grave.
I feel guilty that I wished he had disappeared and was never heard of again.
Instead, the motel manager called the police and put us here.
What’s even worse is that Acid didn’t do the crime.
He can’t defend himself, though. Not without outing Tank.
The lawyer is still pushing for the low end of the punishment for involuntary manslaughter.
It will be up to the judge, though. All I know is I feel really guilty that Acid is still in jail and won’t be out anytime soon.
They plan to hold him until the case can be heard by a judge.
The lawyer is pushing for a speedy trial, as is Acid’s right.
I just wish this whole nightmare would end.
They are still talking over the whole case in the other room, but I excused myself.
I couldn’t sit there and listen to how they plan to handle this when I know that this entire thing is my fault.
If I had never walked up to Tank that first night, Blaine would still be alive and they wouldn’t be in all of this trouble.
Then again, Blaine also might have killed me, and I would no longer be here.
I can’t regret the decisions I made, but I can feel bad for what consequences others are paying for them.
I sigh, rubbing my hand down my face.
“Hey.”
Turning, I look over my shoulder and see Erica leaning against the doorframe.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
We’ve talked on the phone several times, but I haven’t seen her since the incident. Not until now, at least. I know she wanted to visit me in the hospital, but the guys thought it would be best that she stay away.
She walks in, leaving the door open, and crawls into Tank’s bed with me. She wraps her arms around me, and I lay my head on her shoulder.
“I fought my way in. I knew you needed me,” she says simply.
“Did Tank call you?”
“Yeah, he said he thought you needed me. That you were being quiet and he was worried.”
Guilt rolls through me. “I don’t mean to make him worry,” I say quietly.
“I know. You went through something traumatic, and now you’re trying to come to terms with it. The two of you haven’t been together that long, so he doesn’t know how you operate. Not fully, at least not yet,” she murmurs.
“He will. Eventually.”
Erica hums. “So you plan on keeping him?”
“Of course. Why? Did he say something?” I ask, fear seeping into my voice.
“Calm down. He didn’t say anything. I was only asking because I know this is a lot, and you two didn’t exactly start off planning on being permanent.”
Taking a deep breath, I feel the anxiety over the possibility of him leaving me leave.
“I still want him. None of what happened is his fault. Yes, I watched him do something that is normally deemed inexcusable, but he did it for me. I’m worried that this is all too much for him.
That because Acid is going away, they will all hold it against me, and he will walk away.
That it will all be too much. Too complicated. ”
Erica laughs. Like full body shake, tears leaking from her eyes, laughs.
“I’m glad you think my concern is funny,” I deadpan.
“I’m sorry, but that’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever said. That man is head over heels in love with you. He wants you to be his old lady. That hasn’t changed just because your ex was a fucking psycho. Who, in case you need a reminder, is currently ash and sitting on his parents’ mantel.”
I wince at the description.
“I do feel bad for them. They were always good to me.” Shaking my head, I let out a deep breath. “Also, Tank already made me his old lady.”
“What? You didn’t tell me?” she hisses, smacking my arm.
“We were in lockdown, and you had that stuff going on at work, so it didn’t come up, but yeah. I guess I’m already his old lady.”
She laughs. “Girl, then you don’t stand a chance. He won’t ever let you go. At least, that’s how it works in books.”
I smile, loving how chaotic she can be. She is my best friend, and I love her.
“So, it wasn’t Acid then?” she whispers, sobering up.
I shake my head. “Tank took care of it. That’s all I should say.”
She nods. “I always knew I liked him. This Acid guy too.”
I shake my head. “I was just thinking I need to add money to Acid’s commissary card. I don’t want him to go without while being in there.”
She doesn’t tell me that it’s unnecessary or remind me that the club is taking care of their own. It’s what Tank said when I suggested it.
“That’s sweet of you,” she says quietly.
“Have you seen the news?” I ask.
Erica sighs. “It’s mixed. Half say he deserves it, and the other says that Acid should serve as much time as possible.
The evidence is damning, though. For Blaine I mean.
An inside source with the police mentioned that when they cleaned out his place, there were pictures of you everywhere.
It had been evident that he had been watching you for a long time.
Like even before you broke up. It seemed manic.
Everything that comes to light is in your favor.
People are calling for stalking reform and for it to be taken more seriously. ”
“I love that people are demanding change, but I wish I weren’t part of it,” I say quietly.
“I know.”
We fall silent and stare into space.
After a few minutes, Erica stands and holds her hand out to me. “Come on. I think there is a guy out there who’s head over heels for you who could use some reassurance.”
“You just want to get a glimpse of your next boy toy,” I tease, making her laugh.
“You caught me. Now come on. Introduce me to these guys.”
Tank
“Do you think she’s going to be mad that you called her friend in?” Jagger asks.
The lawyer left an hour ago, but when I went to check on Delaney, I could tell she was really down. She doesn’t like that anyone is going to jail over this.
“No. I have a feeling that girl time with her is just what she needs. Or I hope it is,” I admit.
“You’re a good man,” Bear tells me.
“It doesn’t feel like it, but thank you.”
“Did you hear that Sloane bought a car without giving Gunner any heads-up? It was just delivered to the shop,” Jagger asks as he leans back in his chair.
Laughing, I shake my head. “I’m not surprised. She mentioned that she wanted to get one when Delaney and I went out with her and Gunner.”
“I can’t believe you went on a double date,” Crow teases.
“Shut up, your jealousy is showing,” I quip, making him laugh.
The conversation shifts, and I fall silent. Worry for my girl fills my mind, but before I can spiral too much, though, I feel it.
I swear I can feel the air shift in the clubhouse. Everyone is still talking, having a good time, and none the wiser, but I feel it. Instinctively, I turn and look down the hall toward all of our private rooms and see Delaney and Erica walking out, side by side, arms linked.
My heart aches.
My girl has been so damn sad since the lawyer showed up. The guilt eating at her like a disease even though we’ve all told her that she has nothing to be sorry for. Acid is glad to take the fall.
I won’t admit it to anyone, but I feel guilty for it. He’s serving time for my actions, but I also know I wouldn’t have survived inside without being able to hold Delaney.
I owe the man my life.
She must feel my eyes on her because she turns and smiles when she sees me.
Fucking smiles for the first time in days.
Thank fuck. Maybe this isn’t as bad as I thought it was.
“Hey, baby,” I rasp as she gets closer.
“Hi.”
Shocking the shit out of me, she drops down into my lap. I wrap my arms around her and pull her in tight.
“Have fun with Erica?” I ask as I kiss her shoulder.
“It was nice to catch up. Thank you for calling her,” she says quietly as she starts to play with my hair.
I close my eyes and soak up the closeness. I didn’t realize how desperate I was for her affection until now.
“Okay, enough, you lovebirds. Introduce me to everyone,” Erica demands as she takes a seat next to us.
“I’m Bear, this is Preach, Crow, Taz, Doc, Fox, and Jagger,” Bear says, pointing to each of the brothers.
Erica smirks, looking right at Jagger. “So you’re his best friend. I’ve heard you’re jealous that you’ve been replaced.”
Jagger scoffs dramatically. “I can’t be replaced. I’m one of a damn kind. I’ve just been pushed slightly to the right.”
“Sure you have,” she teases, making everyone laugh.
“How long have you two been friends?” Crow asks.
“We were always in the same class all through school, but we didn’t become friends until middle school,” Delaney tells us.
Erica nods. “It was rough out there. Had to navigate a new friendship with raging hormones. When we made it to the other side, I figured, well, she’s stuck with me now.”
“Oh god. Middle school was the worst. I still have nightmares about it.” Jane shivers as she walks up with the other ladies and their men.
Quickly, Bear introduces Erica to them all as they sit down.
I can see the connection between all the girls forming, and I can’t help but smile. Just another thread to entice my girl to stay.
Fuck, I hope she stays. I hope she doesn’t leave me over letting Acid take the fall and killing her ex.
I’m not sorry, though. I’d do it again every day that ends in Y.
“Hey, why did you go all tense?” she asks quietly, gently pulling on my hair.
Reaching up, I pull her ear toward my mouth and ask the question I’ve been dreading. “Are you going to leave me?” I whisper.
I feel her body twitch, but she doesn’t pull away. She just moves her head to look me in the eye.
“No, I’m not leaving you, Tank. I still want you as much as I did before all of this. But I’m scared you will want to walk away from me. That this has all been too much,” she murmurs.
I pull her even closer. “Baby, not even a herd of wild horses could keep me away from you. I love you. You are my person. My soulmate. I’ll find you in every lifetime, and nothing will ever keep us apart. You hear me?”
Tears well in her eyes. “I love you too.”
Leaning forward, I steal a kiss, which I can’t help but deepen. Well, I try to, but something smacks me in the side of the face.
Pulling away from Delaney, I frown as I look down at the popcorn in my lap. Scanning the crowd, I see Jagger sitting across from us with a smirk on his face and popping popcorn into his mouth.
“Seriously?” I grumble, making everyone laugh.
His smile widens. “It started to get a little heated, so I thought I’d help you out before you caught fire.”
“You’re a dick.”
He shrugs. “But I didn’t want to toss water on you, like someone.”
His eyes cut to Erica.
“Hey, you weren’t supposed to rat me out!” she cries, making everyone laugh again.
Jagger shrugs. “Every man for themselves.”
“We never should have introduced them. They will start plotting against us,” Delaney tells me.
“Eh, I think it will be fine. I don’t see them hooking up.”
Erica hears me and makes a noise in the back of her throat. “Yeah, no. No offense, Jagger, you’re pretty and all, but you aren’t my type.”
He shrugs. “No offense taken.”
Erica gasps. “Did we just become siblings?”
“Oh god. Break them apart. The last thing we need is two of them,” Mac sighs.
As the conversation shifts, Delaney’s body relaxes more against me, and she rests her head on my shoulder. She has a smile on her face as she watches her favorite person get to know mine. It feels so normal and right.